Ancient Greek civilization started many traditions in art, philosophy, war, discourse, but in few things were they as influential as architecture. Their use of post and lintel structure, supported by the three main orders of columns, created a strong and timeless style of buildings, some of which still stand today, four thousand years later. Greek architecture featured three primary types of
. columns which were featured in the post and lintel design: the Doric, Ionic and Corinthian columns. Although the Romans adapted these designs and added the Tuscan style as well, the three remain the most common column structure in the world. The simplest and shortest of the three is Doric order. These plainly designed columns became the most popular for their ease of construction and creation. Unlike other orders, these do not have an individual base but one is added after construction. Because of this design, Doric order columns are not as strong as others. Eastern Greece made the Ionic order popular. These columns featured more intricate designs, such as fluting, and also had scrolls in the upper section. Along with a more ornate design, these columns also remained stronger than Doric versions, and could support more weight. Ionic columns were usually four or five times as tall as they were thick. Ionic columns are between eight and nine times as tall as they are wide. Corinthian columns were the most decorative and also the strongest. Standing ten times as high as they were wide, these were widely regarded as the finest examples of Greek architecture, even by the Greek themselves. Greek architecture did not just end with the fall of the empire. Romans absorbed much of the Greek tradition and this influence continued with the Renaissance. Today, many modern buildings feature the influence of the Greeks, including the three main columns. Many of the buildings in Chicago, created for the World's Fair a century ago, contain this very style. More Reference Links: http://greece.mrdonn.org/columns.html http://www.bc.edu/bc_org/avp/cas/fnart/arch/greek_arch.html
