Topic One (1.1): Ancient Greek Architecture
Introduction
FOCUS: The Parthenon and Erechtheum
This topic introduces you to Greek Architecture of the fifth century B.C., focussing on two key examples on the Acropolis in Athens, the Parthenon and the Erechtheum. As you discover more about different contexts for these seminal buildings you will learn technical terms to help you to analyse the distinctive style of each one. Links to virtual tours are provided.
Read and Make Notes
- Read page 3 and pages 116 to 164 in A World History of Art by Honour and Fleming.
- Make notes from page 3 on ‘Systems of Building’.
- Make notes from pages 126 to 131 on the Parthenon and Erechtheum, making sure you cover these topics:
- their historical contexts, patronage, function, and style;
- the materials, techniques and processes used in their construction.
Consolidate
- Use the following links to consolidate your understanding of the Parthenon:
READ – ‘The Parthenon’ (ancient-greece.org) Links to an external site.
- Use the following link to take a virtual tour of the Acropolis:
EXPLORE – ‘Virtual Tour’ (Acropolis) Links to an external site.
- Explore the following link to deepen your understanding of the Parthenon marbles and to take a virtual tour of them in the British Museum:
EXPLORE – British Museum Guide to the Parthenon Marbles (British Museum) Links to an external site.
- Please do remember to make notes when watching the following documentary:
WATCH – History of the Parthenon BBC Full Documentary Films (YouTube) Links to an external site.
Tasks
- Copy out the diagram of the Doric and Ionic Orders on page 131 of Honour and Fleming (you will need to memorize the terms in this diagram).
- Now read the following resource and add to your notes:
READ – Chapter One of John Summerson’s The Classical Language of Architecture Download READ – Chapter One of John Summerson’s The Classical Language of Architecture
Read
Please meet your first critical text, the heavy, unparalleled, and indispensable World History of Art by Honour and Fleming: your best friend during the early stages of this course and beyond:
Terminology
Make sure you understand all the key terms covered in this topic. You may like to make flashcards of key terms now, to help you with revision later on.