classical greek
Architecture of ancient Greece, characterized by refined proportions, fluted columns, and triangular pediments.
Pictured: The Erectheion
Classical Greek architecture is commonly thought of as the beginning of Western classicism. Although it builds on traditions developed in Egyptian, Minoan, and other civilizations, ancient Greek architecture brought post-and-beam engineering to an extraordinary level of refinement, and its particular stylistic devices have endured for approximately 2500 years.
The archetypal features of the style are rows of columns holding up a broad triangular pediment. The three orders of Greek columns are the Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian, in increasing level of detail; the columns are generally fluted to emphasize their verticality, and bowed slightly for optical effect.
Approximate Dates: 550 BC to 400 BC
