Athenian architecture and it’s 3 different main styles really paved the way to modern day and more recent architecture. It’s teachings paved a way for architecture to thrive and become an art, rather than a need or want. There are three main “orders” or types of Greek architectures that are, Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian. Doric was the type of architecture with no bases that included columns. Doric columns stood on the porch of a temple without a base. The doric was the oldest out of all of the three orders, developed in the seventh century BCE. Early examples of Doric order included the temples at Paestum (city in Italy). Ionic were columns with structured bases. Ionic columns are supported on a base which separates the shaft of the column from the stylobate or platform and was developed in the mid fifth century BCE. The corinthian style of architecture focused on its slender columns, elaborate capitals, ornately sculpted friezes, and decorative moldings. Corinthian capitals were usually in the shape of acanthus leaves, which were very important to Greek, religion, art, and architecture. Corinthian architecture usually has sloped roofs, and long, thin pillars. Corinthian architecture mainly focused on the sloped roofs, and slender columns closely next to each other. These 3 main styles were prominent all around Ancient Athens, and even all over Ancient Greece in general. One example of these types of arts and architectures being used in Ancient Athens was in the main meeting area of all Athenian commoners and aristocrats. The Agora. The agora in ancient Athens was the center of town, and was a large open square, which was surrounded on all 4 sides by buildings. The Agora was used as a marketplace where potters, cobblers, bronze-workers, and sculptors made and sold their wares from the many shops in the agora. The agora was also used as a place where aristocrats could meet and talk about philosophy, business deals, and politics. Basicly it is the equivalent of a shopping mall. To shade people from the sun, long stoats which were covered walkways that had columns lifting them were put up to shade people. Many philosophers such as Aristotle, Plato, and Socrates, met at the Agora to ask questions, usually starting with a, why? Another example of where one of the 3 main Greek architectural orders can be found in the parthenon. The parthenon was a famous temple dedicated to the gods. The architects and designers of the parthenon were named Iktinos and Kallikrates .It was constructed in 447 B.C and it finished construction in 438 B.C. The parthenon was a huge feat and was made completely out of marble. The Parthenon is a great example of how the Ancient Athenians used their 3 orders, The Parthenon used the Doric Order style of architecture. This is prominent when looking at the piece of architecture with it’s main vocal point. It’s beautiful columns! Yet, the Parthenon did not always stay in the power of the greeks. It was actually taken over by the Christians and became a Christian church and then an Islamic mosque. It was later almost completely destroyed when it was taken over by the Turkish people in 1700 A.D and used to hold ammunition, resulting in it to be hit by a Venetian cannonball. A little while after that, a man by the name of Lord Elgin bought the Friezes that stood outside the Parthenon and brought them to London in 1799. Then they went to the British museum and became known as the Elgin marbles. Inside the parthenon also stood a huge statue of Athena, made out of gold and ivory, this statue was made by a man named Phidias. People found proof of the expenses of the Parthenon, when it was excavated ,but believe it or not, the biggest expense was the imported stones from Mt. Pentelicus used to build the temple. The parthenon is very beautiful and detailed building, though because of weathering, and natural erosion, and a Venetian cannonball, the parthenon is not as glorious as it would have been in ancient times. Yet, looking at the Parthenon today really teaches us, about how advanced the Athenians were, and how the beauty of their advancements made them one of the most interesting, intelligent, and amazing city - states in the ancient world.
Inventions and Achievements
Ancient Athenian Architecture
Athens was the most important and powerful city-states during the Classical period. Athens had the biggest navy in Greece, and every man from age 20 to 50 or more could be “called up” for military service. The wealthy aristocrats of Athens held both the land and the government of Athens. This led, poorer landowners to give up on behalf of the aristocrats and become slaves or enslaved to them. This created a rather inconsistent law and government throughout the city. The first series of laws was provided by a man named Draco (also known as Dacron or Drakon) in 621 BCE. These laws were considered severely harsh by the Athenians because almost every crime and theft resulted in death. Later, a great Lawgiver named Solon was used to modify and refined the harsh laws Draco insisted on. Solon, though identifying as an aristocrat, created a set of laws that equalized citizenship in Athens creating the foundation and building blocks to Athens becoming the first democratic nation in 594 BCE. These sets of law were then carried on by various other Aristocrats and lawgivers after Solon resigned such as Peisistratos and his son Hippias who refined the laws even more. In 507 BCE (after Hippias coup to destroy the Peisistratid Tyranny, aftermath) Cleisthenes was appointed to rejoin and improve the government and laws, and created what is now known as a democracy (or “Demokratia” meaning “Power by the People”). This new government helped strengthen Athens, and it gave a chance for intellectual and philosophical peoples to talk about their own ideas to benefit their nation the way they think it shall be. This form of government gave Athens the stability and strength it needed to be the cultural, philosophical, and overall capital of the Ancient world.
SIMA’S PARAGRAPHS:
Athens was also the first democratic society. Democracy was created in the early 500s BCE. People served on law courts and councils, but only men could vote or be in court. 500 citizens were in the court, and all of the court members were elected a year at a time. Sadly, woman ,slaves and foreigners could not be citizens and were not allowed to vote. When people wanted new laws, about 5,000 men went to see and vote every 10 days or so. It was very important for Athenians to take part in the running of government. Perikles (the great statesman of Classical Athens) said, “a man who takes no interest in public affairs not as apathetic, but as completely useless.” When someone did something wrong they would hold a jurie. The jury would be as big as 500 people, bigger than even some juries today. When the defendant stated their case, the jury would vote by placing a disk into the box guilty, or not guilty. Then they would count the votes, and the box with the most votes is the one they choose.
TATIANA’S PARAGRAPHS:
Athens was the first Democratic society. Their society was changed throughout the course of time, but for the most part they served in courts and councils. They were all men. Women, children, slaves, and foreigners were not aloud to be in government or become citizens . There were 30,000 citizens, and 500 were in the court. Each court member was elected for a year at a time. Every ten days on mount Pnyx they would vote on new laws. Out of the 30,000 citizens 5,000 would come and vote on brand new laws that the court would put out. Juries were another big invention that the Athenians created. What they would do is gather about 500 citizens and a defendant would state their case, and the jury [the 500 people gathered] would vote by placing a disk into the guilty or not guilty box. They would then count the votes which would decide if they were ultimately guilty or not guilty. Then they would decide on a punishment they thought was suitable if they were convicted guilty. Another thing the Athenians invented was something similar to what a modern day president would get impeached. What citizens would do is write the name of the politician they didn’t like on a shredded piece of pottery called an ostrakon .If a politician got more than 600 votes they would be banned from Athens for ten years .The same thing goes for laws except for laws they would just get rid of them. All of these inventions are still used today all over the world. Athens was the base of Democracy. Where would be the base of your country today without it?
Perikles