The earliest source for the classification of classical architecture into distinct orders is De Architectura (“About Architecture”), written by Marcus Vitruvius Pollio (ca. The composite order is essentially a combination of the Corinthian and the Ionic orders, with capitals that marry the Corinthian order’s acanthus leaves with the volutes of the Ionic order, usually set in each of the four corners rather than strcitly bilateral. The Corinthian order’s most distinguishing feature is its capitals, which feature acanthus leaves.
A triglyph consists of three bars with channels between them: the idea was once that these were translations in stone of the ends of three planks that once supported the roof, but opinion is divided on whether or not that’s actually the correct interpretation.Ĭompared to the Doric order, the Ionic order is typically more slender and its capital is more ornate, featuring volutes (curved ends, resembling rams’ horns). with grooves), and the frieze is divided into metopes (panels, often with decoration that is painted and/or set in relief) and triglyphs. It’s essentially a simpler version of the Doric order. The Tuscan order is the simplest, with unfluted columns and a frieze that’s left entirely blank. The columns support the entablature, which itself consists of the architrave, the frieze, and cornice, and so on. Columns consist of a base (optional in some cases!), a shaft, and a capital. The diagram above is rich in detail, listing all the technical terms that you’d use when describing classical architecture, which includes modern buildings that take inspiration from the ancient world of the Greeks and Romans.
A scan of a page from an encyclopedia published in 1728 that nicely illustrates all the different orders, from Wikipedia. Two other orders were added later: the simple and elegant Tuscan order and the more ornate “composite” order. These are, in chronological order, the Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian orders. Three styles were created by the ancient Greeks. The different styles are most easily recognized by their columns. First things first, however, what is an order precisely? John Summerson usefully summarizes it in his little book on classical architecture as follows: “An ‘order’ is the ‘column-and-superstructure’ unit of a temple colonnade” (p. In this article, I want to briefly explain what the different classical orders are, how they each differ from one another, and to examine their origins (insofar as there is any evidence to examine). You’ve almost certainly heard someone at some point or another refer to things like Doric temples and Ionic capitals. These are different styles of classical architecture as originally used by the ancient Greeks and Romans, most notably in the construction of public buildings like temples. If you’ve ever followed a course on art history, you’re probably familiar with the classical orders.
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