In relation to architecture, the same concepts that apply for the other artistic manifestations such as proportion and harmony, symmetry and technical perfection are observed. The classic temple stands out whose characteristics are common to all polis. The Greek temples were conceived to be contemplated from the outside and not for the use of their inner space. So its external appearance charges a main value closely related to the cult of deities in the Greek culture.
Its construction is based on a constructive module of mathematical measures that interrelate all parts of the building with each other. Balance and symmetry establish a perfect order when building and designing the different parts of the building.
The perfection of these constructions is observed in complex technical elements such as:
– Optical readjustments.
– The use of Milano’s tails replacing mortar in the coupling of the ashlars,
– The perfect framed and polishing of the masonry.
The Greek temple is established in a sacred space called Témenos. The plants of them are called as their columns are distributed along their perimeter as well as the number of columns.
– Antis
– Prostilo
– amphiprostyl
– Peripter
The classic orders in Greek architecture They constitute a constructive module that ensures repetition in all temples of the same decorative and constructive system.
Doric order
The Doric order is the oldest and most simpler of these orders. The Greek Doric order was developed in the western region of Greece called Doria and was not used more after the 100 BC until its so -called “rediscovery” many centuries later in the mid -18th century.
It consists of a vertical cylinder that is getting wide to the bottom. Generally neither the base or capitel have detailed decoration. It was preferably placed at the lower level of the coliseums because it was considered that by their form could sustain more weight. The relationship between height and width is 8: 1.
The axis of a Doric column is always striated. The capitel simply consists of a kind of smooth concave molding without any decoration on which he supports, a flat square abacus; Doric entablature is also the strongest.
Ionic order
The Ionic column is considerably more complex than the Doric. Generally the axis of the column is striated (it has lengthly carved grooves). At the top of the capital, it exhibits the characteristic form of a scroll rolled at its external edges in the four corners. The relationship between its height and the width is around 9: 1. Due to the most refined proportions of its capital, the Ionian column is sometimes associated with academic buildings. The Ionic -style columns were used at the second level of the coliseums due to their strength to be less than the Doric but greater than the Corinthia.
Corinthian order
The denomination of the name of the Corinthian order is associated with the name of the Greek city-state of Corinth. But according to the historian of the Vitrubio architecture, the column was created by the sculptor Kallimachos, probably an Athenian, who sculpted the acanthus leaves around a votive basket.
In fact, the oldest known Corinthian capitel was found in Bassae and dates from 427 AC is at the upper level of coliseums holding the minimum weight with the correlation between the height and the least thick width of 10: 1.
The ceiling of the temple is built to two waters which leaves a triangular space on the entablature that is called pediment.
In a late period there is an influence of the art of the East in the construction of these temples as well as other buildings in which monumentality takes a leading expression role.