Ancient Greek Architecture the Corinthian Order

Ancient Greek Architecture the Corinthian Order 
Blog #2

            Not only did the ancient Greeks use beautiful symbolism in their writings but in everything they did. Their art work lives on in every aspect of our lives, and of everything we know and study of them. I chose to concentrate in the art work of their architecture particularly of the Corinthian order. This is the most decorative of their forms of building, and the kind most loved by those in the modern world. 

           

          One of the best examples of this is the Maison Carree it is located in what is now southern France but was then ruled by the Roman Empire.  It was built in approximately B.C. 19 by Augustus Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa as a dedication to Gaius Julius Caesar Vipsanianus and Lucius Caesar the sons of the emperor Augustus. It was originally built for these boys to show their power as successors to the throne however both died young and would not be able to claim it. Since it was built the Maison Carree has had a multitude of purposes including acting as a church, a house, a stable, and as offices of the consuls of Nimes. 

                                                                         

            Explore the Maison Carree further at http://www.3dancientwonders.com/3d_maisoncaree_virtualreality.php

              The Maison Carree was built in the classic Corinthian order of the Greeks. These would always include an entablacture, column capital, column shaft, and column base.  The entablacture is the part of the structure that rest on top of the columns it is composed of three parts. The capital is the area between the shaft and the entablacture it is usually the most intricately  decorated part.  The Corinthian column is almost always fluted and is the most slender of all greek columns, it is therefore said to be the most delicate.  It is believed that the invention of the Corinthian order came from the architect Callimachus who is said to have observed the grave of a young girl with a tiled covered wild acanthus that created an image so beautiful that the Corinthian style was inspired.

                                                                           

            The Corinthian order is a beautiful form of art stemming from the Greeks like most things of the past it transcended to the future this form of architecture can be seen in many places today. It was chosen to emphasize the regality of the US Supreme Court as well as many older legal buildings and churches. Even the pillars of our very own Prescott courthouse show Corinthian order. This architecture that has been very much preserved for centuries is often dismissed as artwork at all but I believe it is beautiful and most clearly demonstrates the innovation of the time. It is unlikely that the Corinthian order will be used any further in architecture since our generation is all about the “modern” look, but it is an amazing attribute that the Greeks gave to us. Many museums, churches, and legal building of the United States were built in the Corinthian fashion, and they are very much admired to this day, as I feel they will be in the future.

                                              US Supreme Court Building