Ancient Greek Architecture and Theater
Major Events
The Temple
The temple, the most important building in Greek architecture, housed the statue of a deity. Its size wasn’t large unless the statue itself was. The ideal ratio was 100 feet long (32-33 meters) in proportion to height and width.
The exterior, designed like a large statue, followed sculptural laws.
Harmony optics: The entablature and stylobate (top step) curved inward, with the greatest width at the corner columns to avoid an appearance of weakness and unequal distance between columns.
Parts of the Temple
- Plant: Typically rectangular, circular ones were called Tholos.
- Parties:
- Pronaos or vestibule, formed by extending the side walls.
- Naos or cella, where the deity’s statue stood.
- Opisthodomos: Chamber opposite the cella; a false portico without interior access.
Types of Temples
Temples were categorized by the number of columns on the facade:
- In antis or distyle (2)
- Tetrastyle (4)
- Hexastyle (6)
- Octástilo (8)
Temple classifications based on column arrangement:
- Prostyle: Columns on the main facade.
- Amphiprostyle: Columns on both fronts.
- Peripteral: Surrounded by columns.
- Dipteral: Double colonnade.
- PseudodÃptero: Colonnade against the wall.
Prime Examples
Different periods of temple architecture:
- Archaic (7th-6th centuries BC): Formation stage of Doric and Ionic styles (Temple of Apollo in Aegina).
- Classical (5th-4th centuries BC): Full definition of Doric and Ionic styles (Acropolis: Parthenon-Doric, Erechtheion and Temple of Athena Nike-Ionic; Choragic Monument of Lysicrates-Corinthian).
- Hellenistic (late 4th-1st centuries BC): Classical features diminish, monumental buildings with oriental influence (Altar of Zeus in Pergamon, Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, Lighthouse of Alexandria).
Theater
Theater originated in Greece, connected to the cult of Dionysus. Greeks used performances, tragedies and comedies, to “purify” shortcomings.
Early theaters were wooden.
Structure of the Greek Theater
- Theatron: Seating area on a hillside.
- Orchestra: Circular area for the chorus, with an altar to Dionysus.
- Skene: Building behind the orchestra, serving as a backdrop, with a proskenion (platform) for actors.
Characteristics of Greek and Roman Theaters
| Feature | Greek | Roman |
|---|---|---|
| Construction | Built on a hillside | Concrete vaults and galleries |
| Orchestra | Circular, used by the chorus | Semicircular, seating for important figures |
| Cavea (Seating) | Surrounds over half the orchestra | Semicircle matching the orchestra |
| Parodos (Entrances) | Side entrances to orchestra and cavea | Covered walkways to orchestra |
| Skene | Backdrop building | Higher building, matching orchestra diameter |
| Proscenium | High platform for actors | Lower platform for actors |
| Postscenium | – | Backstage area |
| Hyposcenium | – | Underground machinery area |
| Frons Scenae | – | Facade with permanent decoration |
| Roof | – | Covered seating area |