Greek Architecture Research Paper

The civilization of Ancient Greece was one that spanned for several years. During these times, the Greeks excelled in many different fields such as in art, entertainment, math, science and especially in architecture. Greek architecture showed the development and the evolution of their society. This type of engineering came from the people who inhabited the Greek mainland and the Peloponnese, the islands of the Aegean Sea, the Greek colonies in Ionia, and Magna Graecia. It stretches from 900 B.C.E. to the first century C.E. The Greeks have provided us with some of the finest and most unique buildings in the entire Ancient World. Some of their structures, such as temples, theatres, and stadiums, would eventually become core components of towns …show more content…
It is considered by many people to be the most decorative and the style that most people today seem to enjoy. Corinthian capitals have a bell-shaped echinus decorated with acanthus leaves, spirals, and palmettes (Hemingway). There were additionally a pair of small volutes at each corner which helped provide the capital with a similar look from all angles (Hemingway). The shaft had flutes and the base was similar to the Ionian. However, in comparison to the Doric and Ionian cornices, which were found to be at a slant, the Corinthian roofs were flat (Schulman). The Romans utilized the Corinthian columns more regularly than the Greeks. An example of a Corinthian structure was the Temple of the Sybil in …show more content…
The Greek theater was this large, outdoor structure that was used for dramatic performances. Theaters often took advantage of hillsides and naturally sloping terrains and also utilized the landscape as the backdrop to the stage itself (Becker). The theater was composed of a stage and a seating area, which was called the theatron. This circular space was made for the chorus to perform. Tiered seats in the theatron provided space for the spectators (Becker). There were two side aisles that provided access to the orchestra. The Greek theater inspired the Roman version directly, though the Romans made their own modifications to the concept of theater architecture. Examples abound throughout the Greek world and many theatres have survived remarkably well. One of the most celebrated is the theatre of Dionysus Eleutherius on the southern slope of Athens’s acropolis where the great plays of Sophocles, Euripides, Aeschylus, and Aristophanes were first performed. Overall you can find Greek theater influence throughout