De Ferranti Glossary: "Greek temple"

Glossary: G

Greek temple
Greek temples differed from their Roman counterparts in that the colonnade formed a peristyle around the whole structure, rather than merely a porch at the front; and also in that the Greek temple was not raised above ground level on a high podium, but rather stairs on either end. Pillars were important because they held up the heavy stone roof.

As the Greeks became more adept at monumental building, regional styles of architecture solidified into what are now the classical orders of architecture: Doric, Ionic and Corinthian.

The Parthenon, dedicated to Athena, goddess of wisdom, is the best-known Greek temple. Festivals were held in and around it every single year. The Parthenon strongly influenced Roman architecture. After the Romans conquered Greece, many tourists from the victorious country came to view the temples of Greece, and the Parthenon quickly became one of the most popular tourist sites in Greece. The Parthenon is a typical of Greek temples with its octostyle (eight colum) facade.

Most classical Greek temples were hexastyle (six column facade).