Architecture of ancient Greece is historically renowned for the high level of workmanship that was responsible for highly intricate forms and advanced construction techniques that guaranteed the survival of structures for millennia. Ancient Greek Architecture was also responsible for influencing architectural practice of subsequent societies across Western Europe, as is particularly evident through the characterizing elements of Ancient Roman Architecture (Sayre, 2013). Ancient Greeks demonstrated a high regard for attention to detail and longing to invent architectural forms that would survive the test of time. The same merit that was demonstrated in architectural practice was also showcased in the other hallmarks of Greek art in general, and in particular sculpture. Ancient Greece remains one of the most remarkable eras in architectural history and it is justifiable to state that this period set a proper foundation for which the architectural practice of the past two millennia has been based. By relying on an analysis of the marble column from the Temple of Artemis at Sardis, this essay will reflect upon the features of Greek architecture, with particular emphasis on the Ionic order.
Before beginning the visual analysis of the column, it is appropriate to gain an understanding of architectural orders defined by Ancient Greeks. According to Colette Hemingway (2003), Ancient Greek architecture relied upon two primary orders –the Doric and the Ionic. These orders were based on specific formula which acted as the guide for Ancient Greek Architects to practice. The Ionic order is distinguished by columns that are supported by bases. The Doric order, on the other hand is characterized by fluted columns with no base and capitals consisting of a flat slab (the abacus) and a cushioning slab (the echinus) (Hemingway, 2003).
The marble column from the Hellenistic period stands at a height of 142.125 inches. This section is a part of a long sturdy column that formed part of a temple that was used for centuries. It stood at a height of 58 ft in its original location. Although the section available at the Metropolitan Museum of art is just a part of an originally longer column, many of the elements that distinguish it as an Ionic order column are still apparent. One feature that particularly strikes the viewer’s eye is the intricate foliage on the capital. The scale-like pattern on the torus is also distinct, and so are the horizontal bands that occupy the entablature.
Figure 1: Marble column from the Temple of Artemis at Sardis. Image available at: https://www.metmuseum.org/toah/works-of-art/26.59.1/
Other characteristics of the marble column that make it fit to be categorized in the Ionic order include the fact that the column is supported by a base and the flutes that assume a vertical element. According to Hemingway (2003), a noteworthy feature of the Ionic order is frieze, which is decorated with relief sculptural forms. These sculptures are strategically positioned and form a continuous band around the building. Based on the feature of this column, it is possible to associate to create an association between these architectural forms with those of the Parthenon (Sayre, 2013).
The influence of this form of architecture can be seen in today’s state buildings. For instance, the white house is adorned with multiple columns that borrow the design elements of Ionic order architecture. Although present-day columns are made of concrete, rather than marble, and are comparatively smaller in size, they borrow from the design elements of Ancient Greek Architecture.
References
Hemingway, C. Architecture in Ancient Greece. Metropolitan Museum of Art. Accessed on May 11, 2018. Available at: https://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/grarc/hd_grarc.htm
Sayre, H. M. (2013). Discovering the humanities (2nd ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.
