🏺Greek Art and Architecture – 500 to 320 BC Unit 10 – Late Classical Greek Architecture

Key Concepts and Terminology

• Late Classical period refers to the era in ancient Greek history from around 400 BC to 323 BC
• Characterized by a shift towards more naturalistic and expressive styles in art and architecture
• Key terms include entasis (slight convex curve in columns), caryatids (sculpted female figures serving as architectural supports), and propylon (monumental gateway)
• Corinthian order emerged as a new architectural style featuring ornate capitals with acanthus leaves
• Tholos, a circular temple or structure, gained popularity during this period
  • Often used for religious or ceremonial purposes
  • Example: Tholos of Athena Pronaia at Delphi
• Theatres became more elaborate and monumental, with the skene (stage building) and orchestra (circular performance space) as essential components

Historical Context and Influences

• Late Classical period followed the High Classical era and preceded the Hellenistic period
• Influenced by the aftermath of the Peloponnesian War (431-404 BC) and the rise of Macedon under Philip II and Alexander the Great
• Political and social changes led to a more individualistic and emotionally expressive art and architecture
• Increased contact with other cultures, particularly Persia, influenced architectural styles and motifs
• Rise of powerful Hellenistic kingdoms after Alexander's death in 323 BC further spread Greek architectural influence
• Patronage of wealthy individuals and rulers played a significant role in the development of monumental architecture

Major Architectural Developments

• Emergence of the Corinthian order as a distinct architectural style
  • Characterized by slender, fluted columns and ornate capitals with acanthus leaves
  • Example: Temple of Olympian Zeus in Athens (completed in the Hellenistic period)
• Increased use of theatres as a focal point in Greek cities and sanctuaries
  • Elaborate stage buildings (skene) and seating areas (theatron) became common features
  • Example: Theatre of Epidaurus, known for its exceptional acoustics
• Development of more complex and ornate propyla (monumental gateways) at the entrances of sacred sites and public spaces
• Popularity of tholos structures for religious and ceremonial purposes
• Emergence of the peristyle house, featuring a central courtyard surrounded by columns, as a common domestic architectural form

Notable Buildings and Structures

• Temple of Athena Nike on the Acropolis in Athens
  • Built in the Ionic order with a four-column amphiprostyle layout
  • Features a sculptural frieze depicting the Battle of Plataea
• Tholos of Athena Pronaia at Delphi
  • Circular temple dedicated to Athena, situated near the main sanctuary of Apollo
  • Showcases the use of the Doric order in a tholos structure
• Mausoleum at Halicarnassus (modern-day Bodrum, Turkey)
  • Monumental tomb built for Mausolus, the Persian satrap of Caria
  • Considered one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World
• Theatre of Epidaurus
  • One of the best-preserved ancient Greek theatres, known for its excellent acoustics
  • Demonstrates the typical layout of a Greek theatre with a circular orchestra and tiered seating

Construction Techniques and Materials

• Continued use of ashlar masonry, with precisely cut and fitted stone blocks
• Increased use of marble, particularly Pentelic and Parian marble, for its beauty and durability
  • Pentelic marble, quarried from Mount Pentelicus near Athens, was prized for its white color and fine grain
  • Parian marble, from the island of Paros, was known for its translucence and ability to capture subtle details in sculpture
• Development of more sophisticated lifting and transport mechanisms for heavy building materials
• Use of the lewis iron (a metal clamp) for lifting and maneuvering stone blocks during construction
• Advancements in the use of the crane and pulley systems for hoisting materials
• Improved techniques for creating smooth, polished surfaces on marble elements
• Continued use of wooden roof structures, often covered with ceramic tiles

Architectural Orders and Elements

• Late Classical period saw the refinement and elaboration of the three main architectural orders: Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian
• Doric order characterized by simple, sturdy columns with no base, a plain capital, and a frieze with alternating triglyphs and metopes
  • Entasis, a slight convex curve in the column shaft, became more pronounced in the Late Classical period
• Ionic order featured slender columns with a base, volute capitals, and a continuous frieze
  • Late Classical Ionic capitals often displayed more ornate and intricate volute designs
• Corinthian order emerged as a new style, characterized by tall, slender columns and ornate capitals with acanthus leaves
  • Earliest known example is the Temple of Apollo Epicurius at Bassae
• Increased use of sculptural elements, such as caryatids and atlantes, as architectural supports
• Elaboration of moldings and decorative elements, such as egg-and-dart and bead-and-reel motifs

Innovations and Advancements

• Development of more complex and innovative floor plans for temples and public buildings
  • Example: The Tholos of Athena Pronaia at Delphi, with its circular plan and Doric peristyle
• Advancements in the design and construction of theatres
  • Improved acoustics and sightlines through the use of tiered seating and a raised stage building (skene)
  • Example: The Theatre of Epidaurus, renowned for its exceptional acoustics
• Refinement of the Corinthian order, which became more widely used in the Late Classical and Hellenistic periods
• Experimentation with the integration of different architectural orders within a single building
  • Example: The Temple of Athena Nike on the Acropolis, which combines Ionic columns with a Doric frieze
• Innovations in the design of monumental tombs and mausoleums
  • Example: The Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, with its unique combination of architectural orders and sculptural decoration

Legacy and Impact on Later Architecture

• Late Classical architecture had a profound influence on the development of Hellenistic and Roman architecture
• The Corinthian order, which emerged during this period, became widely popular in the Hellenistic and Roman eras
• Theatres and other public buildings from the Late Classical period served as models for similar structures throughout the Mediterranean world
• The use of ornate sculptural decoration and the integration of different architectural orders within a single building became hallmarks of Hellenistic and Roman architecture
• The Late Classical style spread throughout the Mediterranean region as a result of Alexander the Great's conquests and the establishment of Hellenistic kingdoms
• Roman architects and builders adapted and further developed many of the innovations and techniques from the Late Classical period
• The legacy of Late Classical Greek architecture can still be seen in the design of many modern public buildings, such as government institutions, libraries, and museums