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Roman vs Greek Architecture Assignment Sample

Question

Task:  Provide a detailed essay on the comparison between Roman vs Greek architecture

Answer

Introduction

The primary goal of writing this Architecture assignment was to inform the reader of the obvious distinctions between Greek and Roman ancient architecture. Although there are some notable similarities between the architecture of Rome and Greece, it is first necessary to comprehend their fundamental contrasts in order to comprehend both of their architectural styles. We believe that this essay comparing Roman and Greek architecture will be very useful for your historical tasks.

Greek Architecture

The influence of Greek architecture is particularly admirable in the chapters on world history and modern architectural design. Modern structures clearly drew a lot of inspiration from Greek architecture. The post and lintel system, in which designs are made by placing columns, is mostly used in Greek architecture. Even though the text makes the idea of stacking columns appear extremely elementary and straightforward, ancient Greek architecture used the same technology to produce amazing structures. You can see a high degree of precision in every design in the architecture of ancient Greece. The ancient Roman buildings were later impacted by the architecture's precision and simplicity.

Five separate orders were established for the ancient architecture. They were Composite, Tuscan, Ionic, Corinthian, and Doric in style. The Roman architects suggested these categorizations. Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian, the first three classes, were developed in Greece and eventually gave rise to the last two classes. Instead of the first three orders, which are thought to be the true origins of classical architecture, the Tuscan and Composite orders are a mixture of several styles (Woolf, 1994). The classification of various architectural orders is done based on the design and decoration present at the topmost section of the pillars or columns.

The Doric Order

The Doric style is the first instance of order in Greek architecture. In this arrangement, a very straightforward method is used, and the column's top is left in its basic, undecorated state. However, parallel grooves could be seen all down the column.
If you look closely, the temples were constructed without a basis, following the architectural style of ancient Greece. The distinction between Doric structures in both Roman and Greek architecture is made by the alternate usage of metopes and triglyphs (Kostof, 1995). By incorporating the corresponding three grooves on the beams with wooden ends, the triglyphs were further modified. The architraves that are located at the bottom of the entablature further support the design. Each triglyph is supported by its corresponding peglikedrop in order to maintain the architecture's overall structure. Triglyphs are frequently coupled with the triglyphs at the opposite column and placed over the center of pillars or columns. The corner triglyph at each entablature's corner is a feature of Greek architecture that serves to set it apart from other columns. The triglyphs are divided using identical areas by arranging the topic topes (WALLACE?HADFULL, 1998).

The Ionic Order

If the history of Greek architecture is to be believed, the Ionic order emerged after the Doric order. The Ionic order of architecture can be recognized by examining the scrolling pattern employed at the top of the columns. The bases of the columns that fall under this classification are fluted. Compared to the pillars found under the Doric category, those in this division are significantly more slender.

The Corinthian Order

The Corinthian order rose to prominence among architects during the latter period of Greek architecture. Only the latter period of classical Greece may be used to date the first structure in this order. The Corinthian order is used to construct the majority of Greece's elaborate and significant structures. This type of construction could be used to trace a wide range of related Ionic order characters. The majority of the regal buildings are where this art form first emerged.

Roman Architecture

Rome's buildings exhibited a clear influence from Greek architecture. Numerous aspects of this civilization were similar to those built during the early Greek era. Roman architecture has been greatly impacted by the Corinthian style of architecture. As a result of their ability to adapt to new ideas and technology, ancient Roman architects were hailed as highly talented innovators. They still hold true in the contemporary era, the fresh changes they produced. Still considered to be among the most sophisticated and cutting-edge architectural techniques are those used to construct arches and domes. In their architectural designs, people in Roman society frequently combined Doric, Corinthian, and Ionic approaches. However, because the Corinthian style added aesthetic components to the design, it was primarily used in the buildings.

Let's use the Tuscan column as an example, which is quite similar to the Doric column and has delicate patterns on top. The Tuscan column is typically seen in areas like verandahs and peristyles of Rome's structures (Senseney, 2011). There was a time in ancient Rome when the columns were added more for decoration than to provide structural support for the building.

The Evident Similarities and Dissimilarities Between Roman and Greek Architecture

There are several obvious parallels between the architectural styles used by Greek and Roman culture, as discussed in the previous portion of this essay comparing Roman and Greek architecture. Rome's architects were influenced by Greek architecture, which explains why there are similarities between the two. After a protracted length of time, the Roman architects developed a distinctive art form.

The lintel construction was the one that Greek architects favored the most when it came to building techniques. The Romans, in contrast, opted to build a real arch. The Palomar Educational Style Guide mentions it.

While the Roman building techniques are affected by the traditions in Greek architecture, there are some obvious differences between them, as was previously described in this essay comparing Roman and Greek architecture. The material used to build the buildings was where the main difference could be seen. In both Roman and Greek architecture, limestone and marble are primarily employed. However, the usage of concrete for construction purposes was invented by the contemporary Rome architectural style. Concrete was a really innovative invention that made it easier to create organic shapes.

One of the common elements of the building style used in the Roman and Greek cultures is the use of pillars or columns. As was previously established, the Corinthian order was frequently utilized by the Romans, whilst the Ionic and Doric styles were frequently used by Greek architects.

When comparing the Roman and Greek architectural styles, it becomes clear that the construction's goals are largely unlike. The construction in Greece was done to honor the people and the Gods, which accounted for its straightforward design. However, the Romans later developed a number of building tools that enabled them to build intricate and flowing constructions. The architecture of diverse buildings in Rome was less homogeneous than it was in Greek architecture. Roman architecture might be more aesthetically pleasing, both internally and outside, reflecting the importance of pleasure and monarchy in Roman culture (Malacrino, 2010).

The post and lintel construction method used in the Greek style required that the building adheres to equilateral forms. Roman architects had a far more in-depth understanding of architecture and were adept at creating complex shapes like domes and arches. Roman architecture is still thought to be distinguished by these figures. However, Greek architecture is regarded as the most straightforward and ornate sort of building design.

Pantheon and Parthenon

Parthenon and Pantheon are names for Greek and Roman temples, respectively. The Parthenon in Greece is devoted to the God Athena, unlike the Pantheon in Rome, which was constructed for the Roman Gods. The Pantheon was erected much later, between 447 and 438 AD, as opposed to the Parthenon, which was completed far earlier in 126 BC.

A thorough examination revealed striking similarities between the Parthenon and the Pantheon. The reason for the striking similarity is that Roman architecture borrowed heavily from Greek design. Despite the fact that both of these buildings have undergone several renovations, commonalities still remain between them. The respective villages used both of the locations as their churches. Because the Roman populace was deeply devout, the Pantheon was unaffected by theft and other harm. Even though the situation was different from the Parthenon and most of its components were gone by the 17th century (Meritt, 1969).

The Parthenon was built on Ionic columns using the Doric style of architecture. The floor was constructed from marble over a limestone substructure. In ancient Greece, marble and limestone were regarded as the most prevalent building materials. The temple's pillars have numerous carvings on them; the east pediment depicts the birth of Athena, while the western pediment tells the rivalry between Poseidon and Athena (Taylor, 2003).

Although the art form and structure of the Pantheon are completely different from that of the preceding context, highly decorated Corinthian columns are utilized in it, along with perfect domes and arches, it is shown by many historians in their essays comparing Roman and Greek architecture. Roman building styles placed a strong emphasis on aesthetics and fine details. However, the Pantheon also uses the same building materials, like marble and limestone.

Conclusion

It is clear from reading the background information in this essay on Roman vs. Greek architecture that the present construction styles were created over the course of centuries of change in architectural history. Modern construction methods were greatly influenced by the work of Roman and Greek architects. Even while there were obvious similarities between the two styles, each had its own unique character and meaning. Roman architecture has advanced and becomes more exact as a result of the invention of concrete.

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