LITERATURE REVIEW

The Differences between Greek Architecture and Roman Architecture

Aspect Greek Architecture Roman Architecture

Materials • Marble, Limestone • Marble Limestone, Concrete

Columns • Preferred Doric and Ionic orders • Preferred Corinthian order

• Advanced material technology

(many buildings still exist)
Architecture • Designed as art to honour their gods
• “The pursuit of pleasure, an
Purpose (less ornate interior)
essential part of Roman culture”
(Faller, M)

Construction • More equilateral (post and lintel • Arch and dome (prominent feature
Details construction) in ancient Roman architecture)

• Parthenon (built in Greece for god • Pantheon (built in Rome to

Athena) 126 AD celebrate Roman gods) 447-438 BC
Temples
• Doric temple supported by Ionic • Concrete dome supported by ornate
columns Corinthian columns

Source: https://www.ukessays.com/essays/architecture/the-differences-between-the-greek-and-roman-architecture.php
 Other Famous Greek and Roman Buildings
Source: https://www.ancienthistorylists.com/greek-history/top-10-magnificent-
ancient-greek-architecture/ Greek Architecture
Temple of Artemis, Corfu (580 BC)
• First to be constructed from stone in Doric Style
• Measured 49m x 23.46m (Biggest temple of its time)
• Metope decorated with carvings of Achilles and
Memnon
• Front and back of temple had 2 pediments (identical) –
decorated with mythical figures and sculpted in high
relief

Temple of Artemis, Corfu (580 BC)

• Built by architect Mnesicles.
• Got its name from a shrine for Greek Hero Erichthonius
• Replaced Perisistratid temple, Athena Polis – destroyed
in 480 BC by Persians.
• Built on a hill with marble taken from Mt. Pentelikon and
black marble from Eleusis.
• Had carved doorways and decorated columns
Source: https://www.architectureanddesign.com.au/features/list/roman-
Roman Architecture architecture-famous-buildings-from-ancient-r

Arch of Sptimius Severus (203 AD)

• Monumental arch
• Recognition of unprecedented Roman victories
over the Parthians – late 2nd C.
• Septimius Severus’ rule suppressed raging civil
war among neighbouring states – declared war
on Parthian Empire – won
• Triumphal arches to celebrate his achievements
and return to Rome
• Originally had bronze gilded inscription (honour
Septimus’ two sons Caracalla and Geta)

Diocletian’s Palace, Croatia (295 –

305 AD)
• Built by Roman emperor Diocletian for his
voluntary retirement due to health issues
• Covers 705 feet from east to west
• 85 feet high walls
• Architects incorporated different building
styles during Roman civilization transition
from classical to medieval era
• Christians used the palace as cathedral
(Middle Ages)