The Doric order, the oldest and simplest of the three orders, originated around 400 BC. It was developed by the Dorian Greeks and later modified by the Romans. Placed directly on the stylobate, the Doric column was about seven times as tall as its diameter, a ratio probably derived from the height of a man in relation to foot size. Fluted to provide visual depth and swelling to subtle convex curves, it rose to a capital, under an abacus, the square block that joined the architrave. Surmounting the columns was a Doric frieze of alternating triglyphs and metopes. They were intended to be sturdy and lacked elegant design.

The Ionic order originated along the coast of the Asia Minor. The Ionic is lighter than the Doric and more graceful, with a slender shaft about eleven times its diameter (approximately a woman’s height in proportion to the size of her foot. Its components are a tiered base, a delicate shaft with softer, spaced fluting, and a capital formed of paired scrolls (volutes) capped by a highly

The Temple of Apollo at Bassae, in Arcadia, was begun in the fifth century BC. but probably not completed till the fourth. A notable feature of this temple is the use of all three Greek Orders. The Doric was used outside, and the Ionic and Corinthian were used within the temple. Most of the building is made of a hard, fine-grained gray limestone, but marble was used for the sculptures and the more decorative parts. The temple was built in honor of the Goddess of Sun.

Classic Greek architecture is reflected on modern day buildings such as the Lincoln Memorial, and the U.S treasury. The Lincoln Memorial uses the Doric order. Elements of Greek architecture can be found in many homes, capitol buildings and college campuses. With only one form and three modes of expression, the perfection of proportion and clarity of outline, subtlety of refinement, and visual appearance of solids and spaces in equilibrium, the Greek temple has never been surpassed. The elegance and beauty of Greek architecture will remain timeless and continue to be used through out history.

The Erechtheion, an Ionic temple, began construction in 421 BC and finished in 406 BC. The temple was made out of white Pentelic marble. It replaced the old Temple of Athena Polias. When it was built the architects and builders had to be careful not to make the Erechtheion more beautiful or bigger than the neighboring Parthenon. Instead, the Erechtheion complements the Parthenon nicely. The e

Some topics in this essay:
Nike Athena, Minor Ionic, Greece Parthenon, Adored Romans, Romans Placed, Elements Greek, Ionic Corinthian, Erechtheion Ionic, Bassae Arcadia, Instead Erechtheion, greek architecture, built honor goddess, honor goddess, ionic temple, lincoln memorial, built honor, columns front, short sturdy, east porch, ionic corinthian, temple built,