Similarly, the three periods of Greek Architecture can be thought of in the same way. The Greeks developed three architectural systems, called orders, Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian. The Doric style is rather sturdy and its top (the capital) is plain. This style was used in mainland Greece and the colonies in Southern Italy and Sicily. The Ionic style is thinner and more elegant. Its capital is decorated with a scroll-like design (a volute). This style was found in eastern Greece and surrounding islands. The Corinthian style is seldom used in the Greek world, but often seen on Roman temples. Its capital is very elaborate and decorated with acanthus leaves. Roman Architecture is also an amalgam of diverse elements, some borrowed from the Greek tradition that supplies the forms, styles, and extant civilizations of Italy.
Doric is not only a type of column, but an “order”; this means that temples of the Doric order not only have this type of column, but also have a certain structure at the upper levels. The different types of orders (column plus entablature) as illustrated by these diagrams, from Pereseus: Doric order, and Ionic order. The Doric order is characterized by the series of triglyphs and metopes on the entablature. A panel of relief sculpture occupied each metope. The Parthenon combines elements of the Doric and Ionic orders. Simply, a Doric peripteral temple, it features a continuous sculpted frieze borrowed from the Ionic order, as well as four Ionic columns supporting the roof of the opisthodomos.
The Parthenon and Propylaea are two forms of Doric order in Greek Architecture. The Parthenon is a Doric peripteral temple; it has a colonnade (8 x 17) of Doric columns extending around the periphery of the entire structure. Each entrance has an additional six columns in front of it. The larger of the two interior rooms, the naos, housed the cult statue. The smaller room, the opisthodomos, was used as a treasury. It was built to replace two earlier temples of Athena on the Acropolis. The Propylaea, begun in 437 BCE, shortly after the outbreak of the Peloponnesian War, includes elements of both the Ionic and Doric architectural orders. A number of Doric structures utilize some Ionic elements—the continuous interior frieze on the Parthenon represents one Ionic element in the quintessential Doric temple. But it is extremely unusual to see Doric and Ionic columns together in a row, as in the Propylaea. Within the Propylaea, one can still see columns from both orders; here the two inner columns have a typical Ionic base, while the outer column, resting directly on the floor, implies the Doric order.
Ionic shafts were taller than Doric order. This makes the columns look slender. They also had flutes, which are lines carved into them from top to bottom. The shafts also had a special characteristic: which is a little bulge in the columns make the columns look straight, even at a distance [because since you would see the building from eye level, the shafts would appear to get narrower as they rise, so this bulge makes up for that – so it looks straight to your eye but it really isn’t]. The frieze is plain. The bases were large and looked like a set of stacked rings. Ionic capitals consist of a scroll above the shaft. The Ionic style is a little more decorative than the Doric.
On the Athenian Acropolis, the Attic architects did not discount the decorative value of the Ionic style. They adopted it for small structures and introduced it into the interiors of Doric compositions in, in both the Parthenon and the Propylaea. The Erechtheum and The temple of Athena Nike are two forms of Ionic order from Greek Architecture. The Erechtheian, built between 421 and 406 B.C., the Erechtheion is situated on the west most sacred site of the Acropolis. It is said to be where Poseidon left his trident marks in a rock, and Athena’s olive tree sprouted, in their battle for possession of the city. Named after Erechtheus, one of the mythical kings of Athens, the temple was a sanctuary to both Athena Polias, and Erechtheus-Poseidon. Famed for its elegant and extremely ornate Ionic Architecture and caryatid columns in the shape of women, this extraordinary monument is built on different levels. The large rectangular cella was divided into three rooms. North, east, and south porticoes bound the cella. The south is the porch of the Caryatids, the maiden statues that are now in the Acropolis Museum. The architect Kallikrates constructed the temple of Athena Nike in B.C.420. It is built in the Ionic order, and it is amphiprostyle with a row of four columns in front of each of it narrow sides. The relief frieze on the upper section of the walls depicts the conference of gods on the east side, and scenes from battles on the other three. A marble parapet decorated with the relief representation of Nikae (Victories), protected the edge of the Bastion on which the temple was erected.
The Corinthian order is the most decorative and is usually the one most modern people like best. Corinthian also uses entasis to make the shafts looks straight. The Corinthian capitals have flowers and leaves below a small scroll. The shaft has flutes and the base is like the Ionian. Unlike the Doric and Ionian cornices, which are at a slant, the Corinthian roofs are flat. Trevi Fountain and The Pantheon are two forms of the Corinthian style of Roman Architecture. Built more than 1800 years ago, the magnificent Pantheon building still stands as a reminder of the great Roman Empire. With its thick brick walls and large marble columns, the Pantheon makes an immediate impression on visitors. But for its time the most remarkable part of the building is the more than 43 meter high some. It was the largest dome in the world until 1436 when the Florence Cathedral was constructed. At the top of the dome is a large opening, the oculus, which was the only source of light. The front portico has three rows of 8 columns, each one with a diameter of 1.5m. A huge bronze door gives access to the cylindrical building. Its diameter equals the interior height of 43,3m. (A View on Cities)
Trevi Fountain is highly symbolic with intellectual connotations. A tall and sober Arch of Triumph dominates the scene from on high. It is comprised of an order of four Corinthian columns and is surrounded by an attic with statues and a balustrade. A large niche at the center of the arch lends balance and symmetry to the whole ensemble. A small-niche to the left contains the statue of Abundance by F. Valle, and above this is a fine relief depicting Agrippa approving the plans for the Aqueduct by Andrea Bergondi. The niche on the right contains the figure of Salubrity, also by F. Valle, with relief above of the Virgin showing soldiers the Way, by G.B. Grossi. The central niche seems to impart movement to the imposing figure of Neptune who firmly guides a chariot drawn by sea horses, known as the “agitated” horse and the “placid horse,” names obviously derived from the way in which the two animals have been represented. As they gallop over the water, the horses are guided in their course by fine figures of tritons which emerge from the water and which were sculptured by P.Bracci in 1762. The fountain is the terminal part of the Vergine aqueduct. (Notes on the Trevi Fountain)
These structures have developed over time, and have been influenced more or less by the period prior. The temple of Zeus encompasses are three systems of orders. The same developments in Greek art can be seen through the gradual changes in the system of orders. Overall, these structures continue to influence the Architecture of today. All through the world Greek and Roman Architectural influence can be seen from church buildings to politician fortresses. Moreover, through the development of Greek Art and Architecture, and a slew of near eastern influences can be seen on in Art and Architecture of Rome. Whether small or large, the Greek influence is recognized.
Day 1: Departure from JFK—I flew to Rome.
Day 2: I arrived in Rome. I met fellow EF tour travelers from New Orleans, Louisiana. I also met Tyson, the tour director. I adjusted to the heat, and went walkabout upon arrival at the hotel. Sight seen on guided tour: Trevi Fountain, Piazza Navona and The Pantheon. Then had dinner in Rome with the arrival of fellow Oneontans.
Day 3: Sightseeing of Rome—The Colosseum and Vatican City— The size and condition of the Colosseum brought new insights into the making of modern theatres and stadiums. The visit to the Vatican was splendid. Sights seen: Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica. The paintings in the Sistine Chapel were wonderfully executed, I also noticed a missing piece of the painting that was ruined and had not yet been replaced. I had the most amazing fresh squeezed grapefruit juice, perfetto!
Day 4: Excursion to Florence by train: First time on a high speed train, I felt like I was in a James Bond film. In Florence, I felt as if I had been living in HD. Early visit to Duomo, and a leather making boutique. Every photograph taken in Florence was simply divine. Sights seen: The Academia, were I saw the Michelangelo’s slave sculptures and the David. These sculptures were true works of art. I couldn’t help but imagine the amount of labor and time taken to sculpt these gems. On the way back to Rome I spoke some Italian with a guy wearing green shoes. I really liked his shoes.
Day 5: Mt. Vesuvius— Walked up to the sight of the volcano. Had a wonderful lunch, and then headed to Sorrento were everyone got to relax and sip on limoncello.
Day 6: Visited Pompeii--this ancient city was so well preserved. The architecture was truly mind-blowing. The way the ancient people lived then is not much different than today. They preserved many vases and sculptures from this site. The theatre was a true marvel. Interestingly enough, there were marble steps for the elite of society, which is very similar to the skyboxes of today. Marble seating to skyboxes—wow! Then, ferry to Greece.
Day 7: Very glad to be off the ferry and on mainland Greece!! Then ride to Delphi where I had a most wonderful meal—baked snapper with potatoes—and a swim with the sea urchins. Then off to the hotel for some free WIFI, yippeeeee-
Day 8: Woke up in Delphi after “the night of laughs”. Went over to the archeological museum, which gave us a taste of what we could expect to see on the hill. We visited the great Oracle of Delphi (the site, not the oracle), also the large theatre that was so huge that I felt like I was in the stomach of a beast. Afterwards, I took a pleasant walk up to the stadium with Jeremy, where we did some excavating. Then off to Athens where we did a quick run through of the Acropolis museum.
Day 9: Another day, another museum- I saw the great and mighty Acropolis. I learned so much from this experience. The size of these structures, the manpower it took to bring the marble from one mountain to the highest point in Athens. To even try to fathom this great feat, forces one to step outside of themselves. Truly! Then off to Athens where we did a quick run through of the National Museum.
Day 10: Boarded the cruise to the magnificent and wondrous Greek Islands. Mykonos was first that evening. Very relaxing atmosphere and dinner back on the ship.
Day 11: I woke in Turkey. I visited rug shops where I saw intricately worked silk, wool, and cotton prayer rugs. Then visited a Turkish bathhouse with Tyson, Charles and Dan. Later that evening, we arrived in Patmos where I spent the afternoon walking up to The Monastery of St. John & Grotto. It was the first monastery I had been to. The chapel was small and its interior was intricately decorated in gold, gold, and gold! This monastery was small, but probably the most opulent place I visited hence. The paintings were vivid and colorful. They depicted acts of kindness, generosity, and other virtues. This site is said to be where St. John wrote The Book of Revelations.
Day 12: Crete and Santorini—I saw a lot of graffiti in Crete, reminded be of home---Brooklyn. I walked along the wharf where I found even more graffiti.
I also saw many locals fishing. I got a glimpse of the Snake Goddess in the National Museum, and was not the least surprised by its size. Although it may have been a replica, it speaks volumes to ideals and meaning it carried in the western world.
Day 13: I left Greece ready to embark on my new journey!
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