The three Greek orders, Doric, Ionic and Corinthian, are often referred to as the orders of Classic Greek architecture. This is so because they originated in the period known as the Classic Period of Greek civilisation between the Persian war (early c5 AD) and the temporary unification of Greece (338 BC).

The Parthenon is a supreme example of the Doric order and makes up a large part of the Acropolis; many people also believe this temple to best represent the entire Classical period in Greek art. The Parthenon dominates the skyline of Athens; it was a finely proportioned building, designed to harmonise rather than over power the surrounding structures. The Greeks were obsessed with harmony, balance and proportion so the Parthenon is near to being the ‘Ideal’.

Designed by Callicrates and Ictus and supervised by Phidias, the structure was completed in 438BC; the sculpture was not set in the pediments for another seven years. One of the metope carvings, ‘Lapith and centaur’ represents human’s emotions verses their lustful and animal side. This could represent the feelings of the Greek warriors during the Persia

The Corinthian order evolved in what is known as the ‘Late Classical’ period. At Epidaurus there is a theatre and the ‘Tholos’ (whose purpose is unknown), both being of the Corinthian order. They are said to have been designed by the same architect, Polyclitus. The ‘Tholos’ was strikingly different in style to any earlier structures; there was a great deal of carved decoration, even more extravagant than that from the Ionic order.

The temple of ‘Olympian Zeus’ stood sixty-four foot tall and had a great flight of stairs which descended to reveal a sunlit interior court where a small ionic temple contained a cult statue. The temple epitomizes the Corinthian order perfectly; standing on its rocky acropolis, the structure makes excellent use of light and dark to heighten the buildings dramatic effect.

Little survives of the earliest known Doric temple however the ‘Basilica’ is from around the same time (540BC). This was of great magnitude and appeared extremely robust. From the early fifth century BC the use of marble, as a building material, was introduced; the Parthenon’s beauty derives from the shine and texture which is created from the use of marble.

The Parthenon was built to enshrine the statue of Deity, to whom it was

Some topics in this essay:
Persian War, Temple’ Sometimes, BC Parthenon, Eastern Aegean, Callicrates Ictus, Period Greek, , Zeus’ Ionic, Classic Greek, greek architecture, Ionic Corinthian, persian war, optical refinements, century ad, ‘olympian zeus’, period greek,