Ancient Greek Architecture Facts That All Architects Will Absolutely Adore!

The Greeks took pride in their architecture and had a valid justification for doing so.

We can find remnants of their constructions all throughout the Mediterranean and in galleries from one end of the world to the other. For the Ancient Greeks, design was crucial.

Aside from houses and commercial districts, Greek cities had a variety of different buildings. Greek buildings were constructed in a very specific manner, and architects followed a set of rules to ensure that the buildings were all uniformly built. These rules also helped to ensure that the buildings were all equally secure and strong. Greek buildings were built in the best locations without regard for the terrain and they were built to withstand the afflictions of climate and earthquakes for centuries. With its unique technical structures and orders, Greek architecture seems to have had a significant influence on Western history for centuries and even the modern era.

Throughout history, several structures, including the Lincoln Memorial, White House, Griffith Park's Greek Theater, and the Prado Museum, have used similar designs, upholding the everlasting heritage of Greek architecture in their facades. There are so many questions regarding this topic. What did all Greek temples have in common? What were the differences between temples? What material was used for temple building? Read on to find more facts and answers about Greek architecture!

If you like reading this article why not try reading other fun fact articles such as Ancient Greek pottery facts and Ancient Greek sculpture facts from Kidadl?

Development Of Greek Architecture

Greek design is highly regarded all over the world because it has provided the best and most astounding structures from ancient times. These structures have inspired many towns and cities that came after the Ancient Greeks. We can see this influence in galleries, landmarks, and political structures all over the world today.

However, this is hardly shocking since Greek architects built structures for their elegance, symmetry, balance, consistency, and perspective creating many magnificent structures. These buildings acted as the foundation of engineering. The Ancient Greeks advancement in several sectors had an impact on their skill and design, impacting modern architecture and design.

The Greeks built incredibly beautiful cities, temples, and theaters as a result of theoretical and practical progressions. Their designs were often recognized as accurate and innovative. By 900-725 BC, Greek architects had begun to create and construct temples for their gods. The first temples were most likely made of wood and they did not last.

Until the fifth century, temple construction was the primary project for a Greek architect. Temples were dedicated to a certain god or goddess. Typically, each deity had its own unique cult statue in the shrine. The Greeks invented town planning in the late fourth and fifth centuries BC. The Greeks built simple houses and stores, but their public buildings were magnificent.

The Acropolis, which is the top fortified structure from the Ancient Greek civilization, took roughly 50 years to complete. A temple had an essential role in this ancient city. A Greek temple was always a large building holding a large sculpture of one of the Greek gods, such as Zeus, Apollo, or Poseidon. The sculpture was situated in the cella, which was the central feature of the space.

Temples, Treasuries, And Stoas

The typical style of Greek temples developed between the fifth and seventh centuries BC.

Temples, treasuries, and stoas, with their various orders, actions to be taken, and architectural design have supplied the most recognizable architectural legacy from the Ancient Greek world.

Stoas were sidewalks where merchants sold their products and people gathered for public meetings. The fitness center, town hall, committee building, and sports arena were among the other public buildings. To build a temple, Greek builders used ropes, pulleys, and wooden cranes as tall as 80 ft (24.3 m). Giant statues were used as a support, and rough limestone stones were lifted and positioned before being polished by a stone shaper.

As a rule, Ancient Greek design is related to its temples. They are the most well-known buildings constructed in Ancient Greece dedicated to their different gods and goddesses. The Parthenon was the largest and most famous temple built for the Greek goddess Athena. The Parthenon served as the foundation for Doric-style architecture. It was 34 ft (10.3 m) tall and had 46 columns, one every 6 ft (1.8 m). The inner chamber included a colossal gold and ivory statue of the goddess Athena.

Ancient Greek temples are well-known for their splendor and simplicity. They were often built in such a way that a row of columns circled the exterior. A decorative plank, known as a frieze by the Ancient Greeks, was placed over the columns. Traditionally, Greek rooftops were built with a slight slope. They were then covered in clay bricks. Most temples were built on the foundation of a few layers or built over steps. This was done so the temple was raised above everything else.

There are historians who even believe that there is an Ancient Greek temple that could possibly be the Palace of Atlantis that Plato, the famous Greek writer and philosopher, had talked about in some of his writings.

The Temple of Olympian Zeus, also known as Olympieion, is also an excellent example. The columns of the Olympian Zeus showcase the Corinthian columns. The temple was devoted to the lord of divine beings and was a gigantic temple in Athens. This Greek building began being built in the sixth century but was interrupted for unknown reasons.

The huge Doric Temple of Zeus at Olympia that was finished around 460 BCE, the Temple of Artemis at Ephesus that was finished around 430 BCE which was viewed as one of the marvels from the ancient world, and the reminiscent Temple of Poseidon at Sounion are respected and admired Ancient Greek buildings.

Ancient Greek Columns

The most prominent component of Ancient Greek engineering is Greek design, which is renowned for tall columns, complex detailing, symmetry, coherence, and balance.

Sections supported the ceiling while also giving buildings a sense of force, strength, and poise. The highest point of the section is known as the capital. Some were simple such as in the Doric style, and some were intricate like the Corinthian style. The frieze was a decorative panel over the segments.

Doric columns were built and expanded throughout the Hellenistic period. Doric temples' pediments were decorated with pictures of their god. The Ionic style evolved on Asia Minor's western coast. Ionic columns have a distinct decorative pattern. The Doric style was developed on the Greek mainland. Doric columns feature a simple stone capital made of two pieces that resemble a bowl. There is a simple level square on the top. The Corinthian style was not created at Corinth. It was designed by the well-known architect Callimachus, who was born in that city.

The Temple of Hephaestus at Athens, the Temple of the Delians, and the Temple of Zeus are all landmarks in the Doric column style. A Doric column is thicker and heavier than any Ionic and Corinthian column.

The Architectural Orders

Ancient Greeks used marble to build public constructions.

Originally, wood was used for the basic architectural elements for columns as well as the entire construction. By the mid-eighth century BC, temples were covered with thatch roofs.

Starting in the late seventh century BC, temples were built with polished and strong marble. Workers cleaned the carved stone with a cloth to make it waterproof. By 650 BC, there was communication between Greece and other nations and this communication was based on trade and business.

The Parthenon, the Temple of Hephaestus, and the Temple of the Delians are all part of the Doric Orders. As its name suggests, the Ionic Order has its origins in Ionia (modern-day Turkey). Ionic columns are taller and more slender than Doric columns, and they feature apart with a designed base.

Furthermore, the Ionic Order is more enriched, emphasizing scroll-like decorations and various types on its capitals known as volutes. With their slender look, Ionic columns were mostly used to add an elegant touch to constructions.

Open-Air Theaters

Almost all Greek settlements had an auditorium, which served as the venue for some extravagant festivals related to the god Dionysus. They were believed to encourage peace in Greek cities.

Later, these auditoriums preserved their original functions and were used to host theatrical shows. The acoustics were extremely well planned. They enabled even the people sitting in the back-most row to clearly hear the entertainers. A modern-day football stadium can be said to be in the design of Ancient Greek open-air theaters.

The Ancient Greeks also built covered passageways for merchants to market their goods and areas for people to have public meetings.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked hese Ancient Greek architecture facts, then why not take a look at Ancient Greek art facts or Ancient Greek civilization facts?