Greek Architecture

Term Paper Title	Greek Architecture
# of Words	632
# of Pages (250 words per page double spaced)	2.53

Greek Architecture

Greek influence is visable in everything that we have today.  Our laws,
cities and even our system of goverment all come from asppects of greek
civilization, but maybe what we have been influenced the most gy the greeks
is in architecture.  Maybe the reason this is, is that it was a new form of
architecture that had little to do with function and everything to do with
looks. Agood example is the Greek temple.  They were built in honor of the
gods, but the architects were most likely more concerned with beauty than
function.

Unlike the Romans who used the arch to support their buildings the Greeks
used columns.  their system is called the post and lintel system.  This
system wasn't very efficiant and is now outdated, but in ancient times it
was the only way of building.  Another thing that the Greeks are famous for
are their great theaters, where they held many plays.  Some of these plays
were building blocks for moderm drama.

The greek theater was incredible.  The greeks spent years of time and
effort to perfect their theater design.  In their theater there were four
things that most theaters had.  The orchestra, paraskenia, theatron, and
skene.

the orchestra was the stage, located in the center of the theater.  unlike
many modern stages, which are raised above the seatsthe orchestra was
located  below the seats.  There were sometimes, but not usually, seats
located behind the orchestra.

The theatron was the audiences seating.  THe theatron was raised
above the orchestra,which extended in circles.  These circles were devided
by walkways which extended outward from the orchestra.  The shape of the
theater allowed the actor's voices to carry without the use of modern day
equiptment.  The theaters were usually cut out of hillside, meaning that
theywere usually one big piece of rock.  most theaters could hold about
20000 people!

The skene was the backdrop of the stag...

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