The Greek Temples 2003

8/8/2019 The Greek Temples 2003

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THE GREEK TEMPLESTHE GREEK TEMPLES

The most important Greek building was theThe most important Greek building was thetemple.temple.

The temple had the finest building materials andThe temple had the finest building materials and

the richest decoration.the richest decoration. The temple was designed not to holdThe temple was designed not to hold

worshippers, but was a symbolic dwelling of theworshippers, but was a symbolic dwelling of thegod to whom it was dedicated.god to whom it was dedicated.

The temple is usually rectangular in plan.The temple is usually rectangular in plan. It is usually lifted on a podium, and in plan hasIt is usually lifted on a podium, and in plan has

colonnades on all its external sidescolonnades on all its external sides


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The number of columns in front of the templeThe number of columns in front of the temple

determines its style.determines its style.

The number of columns is always even to allowThe number of columns is always even to allow

the location of the entrance in the center.the location of the entrance in the center.

Temples with odd number of columns areTemples with odd number of columns are

uncommon.uncommon.

Temples with 2 columns in front are diastyle, 4Temples with 2 columns in front are diastyle, 4--tetrastyle, 6tetrastyle, 6--hexastyle, 8hexastyle, 8--octastyle and 10octastyle and 10--

decastyle.decastyle.


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THE GREEK TEMPLESTHE GREEK TEMPLES The temple building isThe temple building is

made up of four wallsmade up of four wallsenclosing a rectangularenclosing a rectangularspace called the naos orspace called the naos orsanctuary.sanctuary.

This was the house of theThis was the house of thegod to whom the temple isgod to whom the temple isdedicated.dedicated.

The interior rectangularThe interior rectangularspace of the naos isspace of the naos is

framed by a pair offramed by a pair ofcolonnades on the longcolonnades on the longside creating a centralside creating a centralprocessional space.processional space.

At the head of theAt the head of theprocessional space is theprocessional space is the

statue of the god to whomstatue of the god to whomthe tem le is dedicated.the tem le is dedicated.


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The temple interior was generally dark,The temple interior was generally dark,

with only the entrance as a source of light.with only the entrance as a source of light.

The temple always faced east so that theThe temple always faced east so that therising sun would light the statues inside.rising sun would light the statues inside.

Temples were designed to be admiredTemples were designed to be admired

from the outside rather than used.from the outside rather than used.


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The Greek temple isThe Greek temple isbelieved to originatebelieved to originatefrom the Mycenaeanfrom the Mycenaeanmegaron.megaron.

From the megaron, itFrom the megaron, itwent through severalwent through severalstages of evolutionstages of evolutionas shown in theas shown in thediagram.diagram.

By 500 BC, the finalBy 500 BC, the finalform of the Greekform of the Greektemple hadtemple hademerged.emerged.


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THE PARTHENONTHE PARTHENON -- ATHENSATHENS

The Parthenon is the most perfect Doric templeThe Parthenon is the most perfect Doric temple

ever built.ever built.

It was lighter and more graceful than previousIt was lighter and more graceful than previous

temples.temples.

It also embodies the perfection of the GreekIt also embodies the perfection of the Greek

system of proportioning.system of proportioning.

The proportions of the Parthenon are based onThe proportions of the Parthenon are based onthe proportions of a man, which is seven to one.(the proportions of a man, which is seven to one.(

The ideal human body was seven heads tall.)The ideal human body was seven heads tall.)


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The Parthenon consists of a rectangular floor plan with aThe Parthenon consists of a rectangular floor plan with a

series of low steps on every side, and a colonnade (8 xseries of low steps on every side, and a colonnade (8 x

17) of Doric columns extending around the periphery of17) of Doric columns extending around the periphery of

the entire structure.the entire structure. Each entrance has an additional six columns in front ofEach entrance has an additional six columns in front of

it. The larger of the two interior rooms, theit. The larger of the two interior rooms, the naos,naos, housedhoused

the cult statue.the cult statue.

The smaller room (theThe smaller room (the opisthodomosopisthodomos) was used as a) was used as a

treasury.treasury.


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Measured at the stylobate, the dimensions of theMeasured at the stylobate, the dimensions of thebase of the Parthenon are 69.5 metres by 30.9base of the Parthenon are 69.5 metres by 30.9metres (228.0 x 101.4metres (228.0 x 101.4 ft).ft).

TheThe cellacella was 29.8 metres long by 19.2 metreswas 29.8 metres long by 19.2 metreswide (97.8 x 63.0wide (97.8 x 63.0 ft), with internal colonnades inft), with internal colonnades intwo tiers, structurally necessary to support thetwo tiers, structurally necessary to support theroof.roof.

On the exterior, the Doric columns measure 1.9On the exterior, the Doric columns measure 1.9

metres (6.2metres (6.2 ft) in diameter and are 10.4 metresft) in diameter and are 10.4 metres(34.1(34.1 ft) high.ft) high.

The corner columns are slightly larger inThe corner columns are slightly larger indiameter.diameter.


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The stylobate has an upward curvatureThe stylobate has an upward curvaturetowards its centre of 60 millimetrestowards its centre of 60 millimetres(2.36(2.36 in) on the east and west ends, and ofin) on the east and west ends, and of

110 millimetres (4.33110 millimetres (4.33 in) on the sides.in) on the sides. The roof was covered with largeThe roof was covered with large

overlapping marble tiles known asoverlapping marble tiles known asimbrices and tegulaeimbrices and tegulae..


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An ivory gold statue of Athena, 11 metersAn ivory gold statue of Athena, 11 meters

tall carved by Phidas once stood in thetall carved by Phidas once stood in the

noas or inner sanctuary of the Parthenon.noas or inner sanctuary of the Parthenon.

The statue reached the wooden roof of theThe statue reached the wooden roof of the

temple.temple.


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The Hekatompedos, asseen in this reconstruction,was divided longitudinally

into three aisles by tworows of Doric columns.

In a commanding positionagainst the back wall of this

temple stood Athene.Her right hand held arepresentation of Nike(Victory), while her left

rested on the shield onwhose surface wasdepicted the battle of the

Amazons with the Greeks.


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In the Parthenon we also find the bestIn the Parthenon we also find the best

example of the application of entasis.example of the application of entasis.

The Parthenon, although it conformsThe Parthenon, although it conformsmainly to the Doric order, also has somemainly to the Doric order, also has some

Ionic elements.Ionic elements.


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Parts of the inside and outside of theParts of the inside and outside of the

Parthenon were once painted.Parthenon were once painted.

The inside of the temple was often notThe inside of the temple was often notused.used.

Processions and ceremonies were heldProcessions and ceremonies were held

outside.outside.

The temples alter was placed on theThe temples alter was placed on the

Eastern side.Eastern side.


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The Greek Temples 2003