🏛️Arts of Classical Greece Unit 7 – High Classical Greek Architecture (450-400 BCE)

Key Concepts and Terminology

• Entasis: subtle convex curve in the shaft of a column to correct optical illusion of concavity
• Stylobate: top step of the crepidoma, a platform upon which columns are placed
• Cella: inner chamber of a Greek temple housing the cult statue
• Peristyle: continuous colonnade surrounding a building or courtyard
• Pediment: triangular space formed by the sloping roof and horizontal cornice of a temple
  • Often decorated with sculptural reliefs depicting mythological scenes
• Acroterion: decorative element placed at the apex and corners of a pediment
• Entablature: horizontal structure supported by columns, consisting of the architrave, frieze, and cornice
• Metope: rectangular panel between triglyphs in a Doric frieze, often decorated with reliefs

Historical Context and Timeline

• High Classical period (450-400 BCE) represents the pinnacle of Greek architecture
• Follows the Early Classical period (480-450 BCE) and precedes the Late Classical period (400-323 BCE)
• Influenced by the aftermath of the Persian Wars and the rise of Athens as a cultural and political power
• Marked by the construction of iconic structures such as the Parthenon (447-432 BCE) and the Propylaea (437-432 BCE)
• Coincides with the age of Pericles, who initiated ambitious building projects in Athens
• Reflects the ideals of democracy, harmony, and proportion in Greek society
• Showcases the mastery of Greek architects and sculptors in creating monumental structures

Major Architectural Innovations

• Refinement of the Doric and Ionic orders, with the introduction of the Corinthian order
• Perfection of the canon of proportions, based on the ratio of column diameter to height
• Development of the peripteral temple plan, with columns surrounding all four sides
• Use of optical refinements, such as entasis and stylobate curvature, to create visual harmony
• Incorporation of sculptural decoration as an integral part of the architectural design
  • Pediment sculptures, metope reliefs, and continuous friezes
• Experimentation with new building types, such as the tholos (circular temple) and the stoa (covered walkway)
• Emphasis on symmetry, balance, and harmony in the arrangement of architectural elements

Iconic Structures and Sites

• Parthenon (447-432 BCE): epitome of Doric architecture, dedicated to Athena Parthenos
  • Designed by architects Ictinus and Callicrates, with sculptures by Phidias
• Propylaea (437-432 BCE): monumental gateway to the Acropolis, designed by Mnesicles
• Erechtheion (421-406 BCE): Ionic temple with the famous Caryatid porch
• Temple of Athena Nike (427-424 BCE): small Ionic temple on the Acropolis
• Temple of Hephaestus (449-415 BCE): well-preserved Doric temple in the Athenian Agora
• Temple of Apollo at Bassae (429-400 BCE): unique combination of Doric exterior and Ionic interior
• Tholos of Delphi (390-380 BCE): circular temple with Doric columns and a frieze depicting the Labors of Heracles

Materials and Construction Techniques

• Primary building material: marble, particularly Pentelic marble from Mount Pentelicus near Athens
  • Prized for its white color, fine grain, and ability to be carved with precision
• Limestone and local stone used for foundations and inner walls
• Wooden beams and rafters used for roofing, often covered with marble tiles
• Columns and walls constructed using large, precisely cut blocks of marble
  • Blocks fitted tightly together without mortar, held in place by metal clamps and dowels
• Use of lifting devices (e.g., cranes and pulleys) to raise heavy blocks into position
• Refinement of stone carving techniques to create intricate sculptural details
• Application of paint to highlight architectural features and create visual contrast

Aesthetic Principles and Design Elements

• Emphasis on proportion, symmetry, and harmony, based on mathematical ratios
• Use of the golden ratio (1:1.618) in the design of facades and elevations
• Incorporation of optical refinements to create the illusion of perfection
  • Entasis: subtle convex curve in columns to counteract the appearance of concavity
  • Stylobate curvature: slight upward curve in the platform to create the impression of a straight line
• Attention to detail in the execution of architectural elements (e.g., fluting of columns, moldings)
• Integration of sculpture as an essential component of the architectural design
  • Pediment sculptures depicting mythological scenes or battles
  • Metope reliefs illustrating heroic deeds or religious festivals
  • Continuous friezes (Ionic frieze) wrapping around the building, often depicting processions or ceremonies
• Use of contrasting elements, such as the juxtaposition of Doric and Ionic orders in the same building (Propylaea)

Influence on Later Architecture

• High Classical architecture set the standard for subsequent periods of Greek and Roman architecture
• Served as a model for the Hellenistic period (323-31 BCE), which further elaborated on Classical forms
• Inspired the Roman adoption and adaptation of Greek architectural styles
  • Roman temples, public buildings, and monuments often incorporated Greek orders and design principles
• Rediscovered and revived during the Renaissance, influencing architects such as Andrea Palladio
• Neoclassical architecture of the 18th and 19th centuries drew heavily on High Classical models
  • Examples include the British Museum (London), the U.S. Capitol Building (Washington, D.C.), and the Altes Museum (Berlin)
• Continues to inspire contemporary architects who seek to evoke the timeless beauty and harmony of High Classical design

Notable Architects and Patrons

• Ictinus: architect of the Parthenon and the Temple of Apollo at Bassae
• Callicrates: collaborated with Ictinus on the design of the Parthenon
• Mnesicles: architect of the Propylaea, known for his innovative use of the Doric and Ionic orders
• Phidias: sculptor responsible for the Parthenon's sculptural decoration, including the cult statue of Athena Parthenos
• Pericles: Athenian statesman who initiated the ambitious building program on the Acropolis
  • Sought to showcase Athens' cultural and political supremacy through monumental architecture
• Nicias: wealthy Athenian who funded the construction of the Temple of Athena Nike
• Archias of Corinth: architect credited with the design of the Tholos of Delphi
• Polykleitos the Younger: sculptor and architect, known for his work on the Theater of Epidaurus