Greek vs Gothic Architecture

The Function of Art

Erica R. Cashen

Art through the Ages

HUM / 266

February 19, 2013

Daniel Garrison

The architecture of classical Greek Temples and Medieval Gothic Cathedrals has architectural styles with very little similarities but many differences. Gothic architecture’s main intention was to make the church look as close to heaven as possible, making them bright, colorful and soaring. While Greek temples were characterized by very large internal spaces, barrel vaults, thick walls and rounded arches on doors and windows with heavy frames, Gothic cathedrals had features such as being very tall, vertical lines flying buttress and thin skeletons. One of the most obvious differences is Gothic cathedrals have very large stained glass windows that let in a lot more light and Greek temples had very small windows which did not allow much light to come in.

The Greek temples were used for many things other than being just a place to worship. They were used to celebrate civic power and pride, for political purposes, for success in war, or to offer thanksgiving for a patron deity of a city. These temples were separated into three systems: Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian. The Doric system was a very sturdy but plain temple; these temples were found on mainland Greece and in the colonies of southern Italy and on the island of Sicily. The Ionic system was more thin and more elegant that the Doric system. The top of the massive columns would have a scroll like design and were found in eastern Greece and on the islands. The third system is the Corinthian which was rarely used in the Greek temples but were seen on Roman temples. The tops of these columns were very elaborate and decorated with acanthus leaves.

An example of the Doric order is the temple of Athena Parthenos (“Virgin”), the Greek goddess of wisdom. This temple is located in Athens on the Acropolis and was built approximately the fifth century before Christ. The Parthenon temple, although...