Ancient Greek architecture is one of the aspects of ancient Greece that has shaped our modern world most.
It is well known that the magnificent temples and public buildings of ancient Greece have captivated the world for centuries if not millennia. However, this profound influence of Greek architecture on the world of architecture extends far beyond the famous ruins of Athens and other Greek cities.
Ranging from the monumental government buildings of Washington DC in the United States to the sleek skyscrapers of modern cities in America, Europe, and Asia, ancient Greek architectural elements and innovations shaped—and continue to shape—the urban environment around us today.
The canonic orders of ancient Greek architecture
The heart of Greek architecture is the three canonic orders of the classical architecture of ancient Greece: The Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian orders.
Many of us have heard of these, but do we really know what they are and how they were created? Each one of them has its distinct proportions along with their unique ornamental details. Nonetheless, despite their differences, they all share a focus on symmetry, balance, and harmony, elements crucial to the ancient Greek definition of aesthetically pleasing results.
The Doric order
Starting with the Doric order, it is by far the oldest and more importantly, the simplest of the three. It is characterized by its plain, sturdy columns which have no base and are accompanied by a simple capital.
The Parthenon in Athens is the most well-known example of the Doric order. Its austere but imposing columns are wider at the bottom and taper towards the top.
By employing this technique, the Greeks managed to create a sense of strength and solidity in their end product. The Lincoln Memorial in Washington DC is a modern homage to the Doric style and has clearly been influenced by the aesthetics of the Parthenon in Athens.
The Ionic order
The Ionic order is much more slender and elegant than the Doric, and some might say it is the most familiar of them all. Its columns have a foundational base and a scrolled capital, which is very often adorned with volutes.
The Temple of Athena Nike on the Acropolis hill of Athens in Greece is a prime example of the Ionic order of ancient Greek architecture. It can be admired right next to the Doric Parthenon. The scrolled capitals of the columns give its viewers a sense that the building is covered with grace and refinement.
Many neoclassical mansions across the Western world as well as public buildings, such as the British Museum in London, feature Ionic columns.
The Corinthian order
Finally, the Corinthian order is by far the most extravagant and ornate of the three. Its beautifully slender columns are topped with truly intricate capitals. These are carved with acanthus leaves and other decorative motifs that make them spectacular.
The Temple of Olympian Zeus in Athens showcases the monumental grandeur of the Corinthian style. The lavish ornamentation of every Corinthian columns has made them a favorite among architects whose main goal is to convey a particular sense of opulence and sophistication. We can see this from ancient Roman temples all the way to modern-day skyscrapers.
Beyond the orders, however, Greek architects became true innovators in the use of a series of other elements.
Over time, these elements have managed to become the most important cornerstones of classical architecture. Pediments, which are the triangular spaces above the columns, often featured intricate sculptural reliefs in ancient Greek buildings. Friezes, on the other hand, the horizontal bands located above the columns, were adorned with continuous sculptures.
These would normally depict mythological scenes from the rich depository of Greek mythology or real-life battles that had been engrained in the subconscious of the Greeks. The use of fine materials, especially marble and limestone, set a new standard for architectural beauty, too.
The revival movement of ancient Greek architecture
The influence of Greek architecture experienced a truly remarkable resurgence in the 18th and 19th centuries. This became known in the world of architecture as the Greek Revival movement.
Architects in the bigger powers of Europe and America of the time began incorporating a large number of Greek elements into their designs. Obviously, they had to adapt their use to modern materials and building techniques. However, the influence of the ancient Greek principles of architecture was more than evident.
The Second Bank of the United States in Philadelphia, built in the early 1800s, is a fantastic example of the Greek Revival style. The building, with its plain Doric columns and lack of sculptural decoration, is proof of this fascinating movement that brought Greek architecture back to the spotlight.
Nonetheless, the Greek Revival Movement was not the only one. Later examples, like Neoclassicism and Beaux-Arts also drew heavily on Greek influences from the glorious past of Athens and the other city-states.
These particularly grandiose styles were big fans of truly lush ornamentation that would go along with classical details.
Examples of these movements can be seen in iconic structures like the Lincoln Memorial, the New York Stock Exchange, and the Palais Garnier in Paris. Even as modernist architects rejected historical ornamentation in favour of much cleaner lines and functionality over the image, they continued to get inspired by the core principles of Greek architecture like proportion, symmetry, and harmony.
Today, influences of Greek architectural styles can be found in a wide variety of buildings of all types and styles across the world.
From the well-known columned porticos of government buildings to the clean lines of contemporary homes in modern suburbs, the legacy that ancient Greece left us with is still alive.
Architects, regardless of their personal taste, many times have to rely on the classical orders and principles of proportion to create pleasing and harmonious designs. Obviously, modern times need modern measures, this is why materials like glass and steel allow for modern reinterpretations of ancient forms.
The innovations of the Greeks in architectural elements such as design, proportion and aesthetics have managed to surpass the limits and boundaries of time and geography. They have truly left an eternal mark on the built environment of countless cities, small and big, affluent and impoverished alike.
From the majestic temples of the Greek antiquity to the imposing towering skyscrapers of the modern era, the Greek architecture continues to inspire architects and architecural movements to this day.
It shapes the world we live in in profound ways that are not always fully appreciated as they are normally taken for granted. Greek architecture does remind us of the importance of harmony, balance, and elegance in design, something that is not merely a trend, but a fundamental human aspiration that has been defining human creativity for millennia.
Now as we look to the future and the elements of architectural innovations of the next decades, it is more than certain that the influence of Greek architecture will continue to evolve and most probably adapt to the changing needs and tastes of an ever-evolving society.
However, the core principles that have shaped this architectural tradition, namely the cornerstones of symmetry, proportion, and a deep appreciation for form and function, will definitely remain as relevant as ever.
