Ancient Greece - blog questions
1)- List the main differences in the three architectural styles of Greece?
The Doric order is very plain looking and doesn’t have a base like the Iconic and Corinthian orders do. Both the Corinthian and Iconic orders have flutes or lines carved into the columns; they also have entasis which means there’s a bulge in the column to make it look straight. And lastly the Iconic and Corinthian orders are both decorated but the Corinthian order is very heavily ornamented. My favorite would have to the Iconic column; I like that it has a classic look or what we today think of as classic.
2)- List the main impacts of geography on design and our later interpretation of it for both Greece and Egypts.
Geography determines materials, your climate, and possible what your design looks like. Where you live can limit what materials you have to work with. For example the Egyptians didn’t have many trees but an abundance of limestone and clay or mud; there for there will more made of clay or stone than of wood. Your climate ultimately is the deciding factor of how long any of your materials will last, be it years or from one season to the next. Another shaping influence geography has on design is inspiration. Most times people draw inspiration from things around them; this means people of Greece designed things to let like their mountainous terrain and native plant life.
3)- How has climate impacted the survival of artifacts from both Greece and Egypt design, including architecture, furniture, textiles, etc.
Like I mentioned before, climate can determine how long the materials you use to make things with will last. Climate has long been then destroyer of many artifacts of ancient times. Wood for instance doesn’t last well in warm wet places so any wooden artifacts Greece have a lesser chance of being found because more than likely it has decayed and no longer exists. Yet that same wooden artifact would very well have a greater chance of survival in Egypt because of its hot dry climate.
4)- Why do we study the design of ancient cultures?
I think we study the past to first learn and understand where it is we have come from. I also think we study the designs of the past to learn methods that have long lasting effects and to possible capitalize and improve on amazing design. And finally I think we study design of ancient cultures to be inspired by the past to drive the future.
5)- Do you see a relationship between the three Greek architectural styles and the human body?
Most Greek buildings and columns have a tripartite division similar to the human body; there is also the relation between proportions. Columns and building have a base, a larger middle, and a smaller top. This seemingly represents a human’s feet, body, and head. Also the Greeks made many statues and columns to actually look like humans in the literal sense.
