ARCHITECTURE IN ANCIENT GREECE
Introduction
Many types of structures were constructed in ancient Greece. These included domestic buildings, royal palaces, residential buildings such as priest quarters, public buildings, temples, open air theaters, public squares and other types of buildings. Structures were built using stone, bricks, mortar and other types of material. While most of the ancient buildings have collapsed due to invasions, weathering and other causes the remaining few help us to understand the aspects and dimensions of ancient Greece architecture.
The ruins of ancient Greece continue to inspire archaeologists, historians and common public alike. These ruins can be dated between 600 BC and 1 AD.
The ruins of ancient Greece continue to inspire archaeologists, historians and common public alike. These ruins can be dated between 600 BC and 1 AD.
Types of surviving structures
The Following types of structures and ruins survive in ancient Greece.
- Temples
- Open Air Theaters
- Processional Gateways (Propylon)
- The Public Square (Agora)
- The town council building
- Domestic buildings etc.
- Temples
- Open Air Theaters
- Processional Gateways (Propylon)
- The Public Square (Agora)
- The town council building
- Domestic buildings etc.
Domestic buildings
In ancient Greece, residential houses (called Oikos) followed different types. Many of the early houses were simple constructions with two rooms and an open porch (pronaos) above which rose a low pitched gable or pediment.
Common man's houses were built using sun dried clay bricks or wood filled with straw or seaweed covered with clay or plaster. The basement was usually made out of stone. Roofs were created with thatch of eaves. Some of the larger houses such as those found at Delos Island were built out of stone and plastered with mortar. Roofing was done with tiles in this case.
City houses were built with adjoining walls and were divided into small blocks by narrow streets. Shops were sometimes located in the rooms towards the street.
Common man's houses were built using sun dried clay bricks or wood filled with straw or seaweed covered with clay or plaster. The basement was usually made out of stone. Roofs were created with thatch of eaves. Some of the larger houses such as those found at Delos Island were built out of stone and plastered with mortar. Roofing was done with tiles in this case.
City houses were built with adjoining walls and were divided into small blocks by narrow streets. Shops were sometimes located in the rooms towards the street.
Temples
Temples were erected in ancient Greece to house the cult images of their Gods and Goddesses. Mostly these were rectangular structures. Though the interiors of these temples were constructed in massive proportions, they did not serve as meeting places like modern churches. They were mostly used as storage rooms to store the treasury and votive offerings made to the deity. The sacrifices and rituals for the deities which involved public participation took place in the alter placed just outside the temple under the open sky, in the temenos or sacred precinct.
Ancient temples that are still available in parts or ruins include the temple of Hephaistos in Athens (Doric temple), the temples at Thermos, the Heraion at Olympia (600 BC), temple of Artemis, Kerkyra (early 6th Century BC), the temple of Zeus at Olympia etc. Among these, probably the most famous temple that remains today is the Parthenon built at around 400 BC. It is dedicated to goddess Athena whom the people of athens considered as their patron.
Ancient temples that are still available in parts or ruins include the temple of Hephaistos in Athens (Doric temple), the temples at Thermos, the Heraion at Olympia (600 BC), temple of Artemis, Kerkyra (early 6th Century BC), the temple of Zeus at Olympia etc. Among these, probably the most famous temple that remains today is the Parthenon built at around 400 BC. It is dedicated to goddess Athena whom the people of athens considered as their patron.
Public theaters
Public theaters will built in ancient Greece to enact plays. They were built in such a way that they could accommodate large number of people on stage as well as thousands of audiences. Ancient Greek architects had a very good understanding of the acoustics which was made use of while designing public theaters so that even people seated in the last row could hear the dialogues spoken in the center stage.
At around 450 BC, playwrights began using a backdrop or scenic wall, which hung or stood behind the orchestra, which also served as an area where actors could change their costumes. It was known as the skene from which the modern word Scene is derived.
At around 450 BC, playwrights began using a backdrop or scenic wall, which hung or stood behind the orchestra, which also served as an area where actors could change their costumes. It was known as the skene from which the modern word Scene is derived.