Language/Modern-greek-1453/Culture/Architecture-in-Antiquity

"Architecture in Ancient Greece"

Considering that the history of architecture is based on the complex knowledge of all the past builders' infrastructure, one can focus on the typology, construction, and morphology that characterize each example chosen from this past.

Our ancestors were excellent connoisseurs of the energy potential and proper exploitation of natural building materials such as wood, stone, etc.

They examined the conditions of each space (climate, seismic activity, suitable soils, etc.) and selected the right materials to achieve a perfect result. Some of the materials they used were bricks (a material that absorbs seismic vibrations and withstands time), the fired brick (something like today's brick), and hydraulic cement (something similar to today's cement for tank sealing and found in many areas such as Piraeus, Aegina, Thasos, Corinth, etc.).

They often combined cement with other materials such as sand and pebbles for better results.

It should be emphasized that the building activity of the Greeks had begun thousands of years before classical Greece, similarly to their technology! During the Roman era, the buildings erected were built either according to Greek standards or by Greek architects.

A characteristic example is the Pantheon in Rome, a work of Apollodorus of Damascus, and various thermal baths, aqueducts, libraries, etc., were founded by Greek specialists.

Many studies conducted by both Greek and foreign scientists have tried to explain how ancient Greek theaters have excellent acoustics, for example. Their difficult project aims to find and understand the factors based on which the ancient Greeks built theaters in specific locations and with suitable building materials. One of the latest studies was that of the official scientific journal of the European Acoustics Association, which rated the acoustics of the theater of Epidaurus as "excellent." Technology in ancient Greece had reached a tremendous climax in the archaic era (800-480 BC) and the classical era (479-323 BC), during which the highest achievements of ancient Greek civilization were recorded.

Thus, it happened in the field of architecture, where technology meets aesthetics. In order for the artistic masterpieces that adorn every corner of our country and are admired by people from all over the world to emerge, significant architects of the Archaic and Classical periods worked, such as Ictinus, Callicrates, Apollodorus the Damascene, Andronikos of Cyrrhus, Democopus of Mytilene, Aristainetus, Hippodamus of Miletus and Hermogenes, as well as sculptors who gave life to stone, such as Phidias, Praxiteles, Euphranor (who was also a painter), Lysippos, Leochares, and Skopas.

Greek architecture "traveled" to every corner of the earth and was adopted by many peoples.

The typical palace complex in Minoan Crete, of the Minoan civilization from 3000-2200 BC, is usually a seemingly labyrinthine but indestructible complex of spaces (rooms, workshops, storerooms, etc.) consisting of wings of different heights.

Greek architecture underwent a true transformation with the construction of the first monumental buildings and especially with the temples, from the second half of the 7th century BC, such as the Temple of Prinia in central Crete, which was dedicated to Apollo.

The types of structures, which we call architectural orders, determined the form of ancient Greek monumental buildings.

The ancient Greek architecture is differentiated into three architectural styles: the Doric, the Ionic, and the Corinthian style (referring only to the type of capital). Within the temple, there was nothing else but the statue of the god or goddess. For the ancient Greeks, the temple itself was also a "statue". After all, the word "statue" means what makes the god rejoice, to be happy.

Standing proud through the centuries, reminding humanity of the greatness of Greek civilization with their architectural magnificence, are:

The Parthenon: it is the brightest monument of the Athenian state and the crowning achievement of the Doric style, dedicated to the goddess Athena.

Its construction began in 448/7 BCE, and the inauguration took place in 438 BCE during the Great Panathenaia, while the sculptural decoration was completed in 433/2 BCE. According to sources, the architects who worked on it were Ictinus, Callicrates, and possibly Phidias, who was also responsible for the sculptural decoration.

The Temple of Hephaestus (also known as the Theseion) is one of the best-preserved ancient temples in the Greek world. It was dedicated to the god Hephaestus. The temple is accessible to the public as part of the archaeological site of the Ancient Agora. It is built on the hill of Agoraios Kolonos, in the western part of the Ancient Agora, facing east-west with its entrance on the east. It is of the Doric style.

The Temple of Apollo Epicurius in Bassae is one of the most important and imposing ancient temples.

The Temple of Poseidon, located in Sounion, the Temple of Olympian Zeus in Ancient Olympia, the Temple of Aphaia in Aegina.

The ancient Greek theater of Epidaurus, as an example of an outdoor amphitheatrical construction, semi-circular in plan around a circular platform.

The ancient theater of Dionysus in Athens.

The ancient theater of Dion.

The ancient theater of Dodona.

And countless other masterpieces. The entire Greek territory hides treasures and secrets of immeasurable value and importance. 

Author

➡ Marianthi

• Ευγενική χορηγία που στοχεύει να βοηθήσει μαθητές ή μη, απανταχού της Γης, που επιδίδονται στην εκμάθηση της ελληνικής γλώσσας!
• Contribution bénévole visant à aider les personnes, partout dans le monde, qui sont engagées dans l'apprentissage de la langue grecque !
• Voluntary contribution aimed at helping people, all over the world, who are committed to learning the Greek language! 

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