Blog Post #3 - Classical Civilizations

 

Classical Greek architecture was largely inspired by the Minoans and Mycenaeans. Specifically, the Minoans established the concept of buildings fitting in with their landscapes’ mountains and valleys. Additionally, the Palace of Knossos introduced additive design and agoras, or courtyards. The Mycenaeans, on the other hand, created corbelled domes and porticos (public entrances to buildings). Many of these elements were consequently used during Greece’s Classical era in the development of temples and furniture. The temples were created with ornate entablature, consisting of three layers, and columns: doric, ionic, and Corinthian. Although few pieces of furniture remain from the time period, we can learn much about ancient Greek furniture from the surviving pottery. Klismos chairs had a curved back and curved legs and were typically used for work such as weaving or caring for children. Couches for dining, square stools, and chests were also popular household pieces.

The Romans were preceded by the Etruscans, who used the arch to create barrel vaults and domes. One impressive structure from this period is the Pantheon, the world’s largest un-reinforced concrete dome, which features a circular skylight called an oculus. Elegant bathhouses were another common public building that leaders often built in order to gain public favor. There were essentially three economic levels of housing: insulas, which were apartment-type buildings with poor and unsafe living conditions; domus; which were for the wealthy and centered around an open-aired atrium; and villas, which were beautiful private upper-class homes with stunning vistas. Common furniture pieces included the cathedra chair, the sella curulis, and the barrel chair.

 

Greece: Close up of frieze shows daily activities.

 

Greece: Agoras were public spaces for trading and socializing.

 

Rome: Public baths were grand and elegant.

 

Rome: A wealthy home (domus) atrium

 

Current Applications

Greece: The Lincoln Memorial features doric columns and classical entablature details.

 

Greece: A modern version of the klismos chair.

 

Rome: The modern Osaka Maritime Museum Glass Dome was inspired by the dome in the Pantheon.

 

Rome: A modern version of a barrel chair.

 

One Step Further

Apollodorus of Damascus was a Roman architect and engineer during the 2^nd century AD and is commonly credited with popularizing domes in Rome. After working as a military engineer in the Dacian Wars, he worked for Emperor Trajan and designed many buildings for him, notably Trajan’s Forum. This was a public portico-lined piazza filled with buildings, monuments, markets, and statues. In this area, Apollodorus designed Trajan’s Column, which celebrated the emperor’s victory in the Dacian Wars with a spiraling relief showcasing images from various battles.   These impressive monuments and buildings would have created an awe-inspiring experience for the town’s citizens, giving them a great sense of pride in their homeland.

Trajan’s Forum

 

Trajan’s Column

 

Reliefs of battles on Trajan’s column

 

Trajan’s column was depicted on coins as an important monument.

 

Closing Reflection

Overall, the Classical Greek and Roman civilizations created many building and designing concepts that are essential to modern architecture. I am very impressed with the importance of public interest in designing. Specifically, leaders built many public areas such as agoras, forums, bathhouses, arenas, and temples. Yet even though these structures were built for the common people, the architects still were very thoughtful about using small details such as ornate friezes and column capitals to engage the public and tell stories, creating beautiful designs that citizens could be proud of.