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Classic Greek architecture is made up of three different orders. They are Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian. The orders are known mostly by their column style. The Corinthian order was not as widely used as Doric and ionic. It was fancier than the others, and had a lot more detail .

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Doric architecture was known for being used by the Spartans. It all started with a shaft of wood, which later became stone. On top of this shaft there would be a circular pad with a square block of wood over it. The vertical columns supported beams called architraves. To form a ceiling, other beams were laid across the building with their ends on the architraves. The ends of these beams would be channeled to make triglyphs. On top of this, another beam were placed for the overhanging rafters. These beams are referred to as mutules. The roofs were finished with flat gables called pediments. A gutter ran along the tops of the pediments, ending at a lion's mouth, which acted as a drain. Thatch, and then terra-cotta and marble, were used to cover the roof's.

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Ionic columns were slenderer than Doric. They were eight or nine diameters high, instead of four to five. The columns had a molded base under them and sculpted figures on the lower part of the shaft. The shafts had channels in them, like folds in a matron's garment. At the top of the shaft there were rectangular blocks of stone, carved into the shape of flowing hair or other wavy shapes and lines. The cornice was decorated with great detail. Although there were differences in the construction of temples, they were mostly all used for the same activities.

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The Corinthian columns are the most decorative and usually the most appealing to the modern eye. The Corinthian capitals have flowering, leaf-like structures below a lesser scroll design than that of Ionian capitals. The shaft has indented sides and the base is a more refined version of the Ionian. Unlike the Doric and Ionian roofs, which are at a slant, the Corinthian roofs are flat. The Corinthian frieze is the same as the Ionic frieze, but on a smaller scale.

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Created: October 1999

© 1999 Jimmy Chilton. All rights reserved.