Greek styles in architecture

About 1000 BC, a group of tribes that arrived from Europe invaded Greece and won during a battle against the people who were living there. In the first centuries of the new people who governed  Greece, art was very harsh and primitive. Their designs were rigid and strict. The simplicity  not only in their art but also in their way of living, influenced the designs for their buildings, which seems to have travelled till our times. The Parthenon, in the Acropolis is a Greek temple that was designed in this old style. This was named after the tribe that built it; the Doric tribe. This tribe was known for their strictness and this may be a reason why their style and design in such buildings was so rigid. These people did not decorate, and their designs were simply focused to fulfil a purpose. They sought that their designs catered for their need, without the motive of decoration. 

     The Doric style shown in The Parthenon

By time, these styles travelled around the world, and their influenced can be still seen in our country. Several important buildings in Malta are designed in the Doric style.

                  The guard building in Palace Square in Valletta illustrates the Doric style. 

In architecture various styles have been used side by side as different people in Greece evolved. In later buildings on the Acropolis, different style were introduced in architecture. This consecutive style is known as the Ionic style. The purpose of these temples served the same function, however they differed in design. The building that illustrates this style the best is the Erechtheion.

                                       The Erechtheion Temple, Acropolis

The columns of the Ionic buildings are much less robust and the headpiece is highly decorated with volutes on each side. The concept that these buildings give to those who stand before it, is one of style and luxury. The same character of design found in such buildings can be also associated with the art of that time. During that period, Greece was at war with Sparta and during that time a carved railing was added to the temple of victory. Its ornaments show the change of taste in style that shifted towards elegance and delicacy which is reflected in the Ionic style.

The influence and admiration of the Ionic style is also found in our country, and up till the present, important buildings are built in such style. The facade of the Court of Malta, and that of the Mosta Dome, are two instances of this design. 

         The Court of Malta is built in the Ionic style.

                                      The church found known as the Mosta Dome

This style was further developed into another, this time into the Corinthian style. The new Empire of Alexander was of a colossal importance for Greek art, since it grew from being a concern of some cities to all his Empire. We refer to this period in art as Hellenistic art where everything is dramatic, romantic, luxurious and filled with bombastic details and movement, aiming to impress the audience. Under this period, art underwent a great change. This may be illustrated in some of the great sculptures of those times. 

The Altar of Zeus, at Pergamon, illustrates a scene called 'the battle of the Gods and the Giants'.  The artist here was aiming at a strong dramatic effect. Wild movement is emphasised and the protagonists are draped with fluttering drapery. In order to make the effect more striking, the artist composed the relief not as flat, but almost of free-standing statues, which seems as a surplus on the temple's steps.   

This period also influenced the design in architectural buildings. Tho strong and simple forms of the Doric style and the easy grace of the Ionic style were not enough. A new style for columns was developed. This was made up of foliage and richer ornaments. Few of these buildings are preserved, but from what is left, an impression of great magnificence is given. 

                                    The Temple of Olympieum in Athens

The Greeks broke through the rigid rules of early oriental art, and experimented through their voyage of discovery in order to be able to increase more features, from observations made of the world around them.

Bibliography: 

Gombrich, E.H. The Story of Art.