Greek Architecture: The Original Glory
Greek architecture lays claim to the art of building—they first used their genius on the Aegean Sea, and bewitched the world with their craft.
The Dorians in Greece conceptualized their construction arts with such speedy progress that between the 6th and 10th century B.C, a concreted system of buildings were established. Before the great temples which the Greeks are so well known for were established in the 5th century B.C, there were hardly any sophisticated structures in the country.
Much like the rest of the nations in the worlds, they were content with flat simple structures. If it could block the elements, it was good enough. Existing proof of primitive Greek architecture remains visible in the form of the Heraeum at Olympia.
The flowering of the Greek architecture began during 700 B.C and continued all the way to the Roman occupation which started back on 146 B.C. It was in between these times that the best of the Greek architecture were produced. The incredibly productive age includes the ruling of Pericles in the land of Athens, in which the architects Callicrates in association with Ictinus, and Mnesicles were heralded the best of the Greek architects. It was also during this time that Parthenon, the temple built for the glory of the goddess of wisdom, Athena was established.
Alexander the Great’s reign marked the transfer of power from Athens and Sparta to Asia Minor. This is where the conversion of tradition began. Inevitably, when there is a shift in rituals, there is also a metamorphosis in designs. This is why most Greek designs during this era resembled that of Asian customs, especially those in mainland Greece. This marked the Hellenistic period which extended all the way to the Mediterranean civilization.
The Greek colonies within Asia Minor evolved in their own particular order, which is the Ionic order, (now considered one of the earliest forms of sequence). This kind of designs appeared in the temples within Greece after 500 B.C. It challenged the sturdy and gigantic Doric designs with its slender, well proportioned columns and intricate carvings. The most glorious Ionic temples were those at Miletus.
The third order in Greek architecture, the much more elaborate Corinthian order, (the most ornate of the classic orders of architecture) was also the latest. It did not arrive in full maturity until the middle of the 4th cent. B.C. The oldest known example of these kinds of order however was discovered in the temple of Apollo at Bassae back in 420 B.C. GP
Posted in Greek Architecture on September 21, 2008 - 11:38 pm by admin |
