Greek
Temples
Greek temples were grand buildings with a
fairly simple design. The outside was
surrounded by a row of columns. Inside the
temple was an inner chamber that housed
the statue of the god or goddess of the
temple.
 The Greeks built most of their temples and
government buildings in three types of
styles: Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian. These
styles (also called "orders") were reflected in
the type of columns they used.
 The column is the most prominent element
in Ancient Greek architecture. Columns
supported the roof, but also gave buildings a
feeling of order, strength, and balance.
 Frieze, Pediment, Cella, Propylaea
 The sculptures often told a story or recorded
an important event
Etruscan


Etruscan had been influenced by Greek temples
Etruscan used non-permanent building materials as
Temples
timber and mudbrick.
 Podium instead of steps.  Etruscan temples rested
on a podium that was only accessible from steps at
the front instead of from steps on all sides like
 Greek temples.
 Absence of a peristyle.  Etruscan temples had columns
only on the front rather than a peristyle around all
 four sides as many Greek temples did.
 Etruscan temples, similarly, to Greek temples,
 had wide cellas that extended their entire width.
 Etruscan temples incorporated several features from
Greek models and these features were later passed on
to Roman temples.
Roman
 Roman temples, like Greek temples, were
generally rectangular, axial-plan structures or
circular, central-plan structures.
Temples
 Roman temples served to honor gods and house
their statues in apses.  Altars were placed
outside, where public ceremonies took place.  
 Placement of Roman Temples. Roman temples
were aligned with the surrounding forum and
. 
usually faced east (This is different from the
placement of Greek temples, which were not
aligned with each other).
 Roman temples were derived from Etruscan
temples, which were much in evidence when
the Romans were becoming established.
 Greek temples influenced Roman temples
indirectly (by having influenced Etruscan
temples), and directly by the importation of
Greek architects.
 The temple roof was shallowly pitched, and the
gable ends were framed by moldings
forming pediments. A colonnade supported the
 porch roof.