Doric Columns and the Other Orders

For the Greeks and Romans, the column, although obviously ornamental, was also structural, since it supported the roof. There are five types of classical columns, the earliest (dating to about 600 B.C.) was the Doric, followed by Ionic, Corinthian, Composite, and Tuscan (16th Century). The Greeks preferred the Doric and Ionic styles; the Romans, the more ornate Corinthian or the combination style known as Composite.