Archaic Greek Architecture
There were no more kings in Greece after the Dark Ages, and so there were no more palaces or fancy tombs. Instead, people began to build big temples for the gods. The Egyptians had already been doing this for a thousand years, so it was not a new idea, but it was new in Greece. A lot of Greeks were working in Egypt at this time, and they probably got the idea from that (as they did for stone sculpture as well at this time).
Greek temples are the most famous part of Greek architecture. They combine the Greek tradition of the megaron house with the Egyptian temple to make a new, simple, and elegant form.
The first Greek temples, built around 800 BC, were made of wood, which was easier to build in than stone. They were long rectangular buildings with a porch all the way around them supported by columns made of tree trunks, like this.
(Notice the stone altar in front of the temple for sacrifices).
Archaic Greek Architecture, Page Two
Classical architecture
Main Greek architecture page
Main architecture page
