Doric Columns and the Other Orders

By N.S. Gill, About.com Guide

The terms Doric, Ionic, et al., are also the names of the orders of classical architecture. The order refers to the column plus its top and bottom. The base of the Doric column was the floor, whereas other orders had an extra piece. The Doric order includes metopes (where there might be sculpted drawings of history, myths, and religious events) which are separated by triglyphs. In other orders this area, the frieze, might be covered by continuous reliefs uninterrupted by the triglyphs. Other scenes might be displayed in the pediment, the triangular area within the cornice.

1. Doric Columns of the Parthenon
2. The Column
3. The Doric Order
4. Echinus and Abacus
5. Parthenon and Column Proportions
6. Optical Illusions of the Columns and Parthenon
7. Corinthian Capital
8. Ionic Capital
9. Column Technical Terms and Quiz

Previous

• Doric Columns of the Parthenon
• The Column
• The Doric Order
• Echinus and Abacus
• Parthenon and Column Proportions
• Optical Illusions of the Columns and Parthenon
• Column Technical Terms and Quiz
• Corinthian Capital
• Ionic Capital

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