ARCHAIC AND CLASSICAL ARCHITECTURE

Specific Foundation / Core

The course is also offered to exchange programme students.

To get familiar with he main characteristics of the Archaic and Classical architecture and the most important buildings of these periods in Greece, Asia Minor, South Italy and Sicily. Critical use of the bibliography.

Architectural remains constitute one of the most impressive categories of archaeological material reflecting the range of activities in ancient societies to shape the environment. The aim of the course is to familiarise students with the basic terms and concepts of ancient Greek architecture and present the architectural creations and function of the various types of buildings during the Archaic and Classical periods. With references to characteristic monuments, the lectures will concentrate on the organisation of space in the ancient Greek city, planning and completion of building projects, materials and types of masonry, decoration of buildings, evolution of the architectural orders, basic building typologies (such as temples, altars, propyla, stoas, theatres, bouleuteria, stadia, gymnasia, fortifications, houses, funerary structures, etc.) and their function in the public and private life of ancient Greeks. Week #1 Description of the ancient Greek architecture and the methods employed for its study. The aims and structure of the module are outlined. A brief summary of the course is presented, as well as an analysis of the individual periods examined in the module and the important historical events that define them. Week #2 Examination of the distinctive architectural parts and their nomenclature. Slides, drawings and copies of architectural parts are used. In addition, the use of construction materials are examined, such as clay, wood, stone, metal and plaster. Week #3 The origins of Greek architecture are presented in bief and the beginning of monumental architecture is further analyzed. Specific examples are given. Week #4 The types of ancient Greek town planning, fortifications and private houses are presented. Passages of ancient literature are red and annotated. Week #5 The characteristics and development of the Doric Order are examined, as well as the most important monuments of the early Archaic period. Week#6 Examination of the Doric temples of the Archaic and Classical periods. Week #7 Examination of the typical Doric structures of Attica with emphasis on the monuments of the Acropolis and the Athenian Agora. Week #8 Presentation of the development of the Ionic Order, its differentiation from the Doric Order and analysis of the main Ionic monuments of the Archaic period. Week #9 Examination of the Ionic Order during the Classical period with an emphasis on the architecture of Ionic temples. Week #10 Description of the Corinthian Order and comparison with the Doric and Ionic styles. Ancient written sources, pictures and drawings of the principal Corinthian monuments are used. Week #11 Examination of altars and treasuries. Analysis of their function. Week #12 Analysis of the distinctive elements of the tholoi, of stoic buildings and fountains and presentation of the surviving buildings. Week #13 Examination of the architectural structure of theaters, stadia and gymnasia, their distinctive elements and their function. Summary of the module. Instructions concerning the exams.

Ancient Greek Architecture, Archaic period, Classical period

02-12-2019