Ancient Architecture — the three orders of columns

Greek architecture has fundamentally influenced Western architecture to such an extent that its forms are still omnipresent today — from the White House in Washington to the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin. At the center are the three orders of columns:

Doric Order

The oldest and strictest form (from around 600 BC). Columns without a base, with fluting (grooves) and a simple capital (abacus + echinus). The Parthenon on the Acropolis is the perfect example — and a masterpiece of optical illusion: The columns lean slightly inward, the base is slightly curved, so everything appears straight. Other examples: Temple of Aphaia on Aegina, Hera Temple in Olympia, Temple of Poseidon at Cape Sounion.

Ionic Order

More elegant, slender, with volutes (spiral scrolls) on the capital. The Erechtheion on the Acropolis with its famous Caryatids (columns in the form of women) is the best-known example. The Ionic order was mainly used in Asia Minor and the Ionian Islands.

Corinthian Order

The newest and most elaborate — the capital is decorated with acanthus leaves. The Olympieion (Temple of Olympian Zeus) in Athens shows it in full splendor: 104 columns of 17 m height (15 still stand). The Romans loved the Corinthian order and spread it throughout the empire.

Ancient Theaters

The Greek invention of the theater brought forth a distinct architectural form: semicircular seating (Theatron) nestled into hillsides, with Orchestra (performance area) and Skene (stage wall). The Theater of Epidaurus (4th century BC) is the acoustic marvel of antiquity — on the uppermost tiers (14,000 seats!) you can hear a coin dropped on stage. It is still used for performances today (Athens & Epidaurus Festival, every summer).

Other significant ancient theaters: Delphi (overlooking the valley), Dodona (oldest in Greece), Philippi, the Theater of Dionysus in Athens (birthplace of theater).