| When designing a public building or a custom | | | | characteristics of the Greek era that |
| house, an architect is often looking for | | | | preceded the Roman Empire. There are many |
| opportunities to include unique design | | | | facets of Roman architecture that can be |
| touches. Since ancient times, one of the more | | | | recognized as having originated in Greece and |
| distinctive architectural touches of choice | | | | the Roman column is one of them. The Romans |
| for both public and private buildings has | | | | adopted the three Greek architectural styles |
| been the column. | | | | for columns - Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian - |
| | | | and added two of their own: the Tuscan and |
| Greek Columns | | | | Composite. |
| | | | |
| The columns used in construction of ancient | | | | These five design variations are the |
| Greek buildings that survive today can be | | | | principal styles found in Roman columns. Very |
| divided into three architectural categories: | | | | similar in style to Greek columns, the |
| Doric, Ionic and Corinthian. Primarily | | | | principal differences in Roman column designs |
| differentiated by the design of the column's | | | | are in the bases and the capitals. |
| top, Greek columns are also distinguishable | | | | |
| by their bases and the relative width of the | | | | Tuscan Columns |
| column's shaft. | | | | |
| | | | The simplest Roman column is the Tuscan, |
| Another distinguishing characteristic of | | | | which is an adaptation of the Greek Doric |
| Greek columns is that they were often | | | | style. But unlike the Doric, the Tuscan has |
| "fluted," meaning that they had channels | | | | no base, no fluting and a saucer shaped top |
| carved into the shaft running parallel to one | | | | that supports a flat square area above it. |
| another along its length. The aesthetic | | | | |
| tradition for fluting called for twenty four | | | | Roman Doric Columns |
| channels along each column. | | | | |
| | | | The Roman version of the Doric columns have |
| The three styles of Greek columns developed | | | | bases and a top similar to the Tuscan; the |
| over time from basic to ornate as the Greek | | | | shafts are fluted but with fewer and |
| civilization grew, prospered and invested in | | | | shallower channels than the Greek style. |
| public grandeur. | | | | |
| | | | Roman Ionic Columns |
| Doric Columns | | | | |
| | | | Roman columns in the Ionic style have |
| Generally speaking, the oldest and simplest | | | | capitals that feature scrolled carvings at |
| design among the Greek columns is the Doric. | | | | the corners of the square top. They are |
| The Doric column's top, known as the capital, | | | | similar but more ornate than their Greek |
| is a simple saucer-shaped design that is | | | | counterpart. |
| wider than the column's shaft and opens | | | | |
| upward to support the square top surface | | | | Roman Corinthian Columns |
| which in turn provides the structural support | | | | |
| for which the column is designed. | | | | The Corinthian design is the most elaborate |
| | | | of the Greek styles adopted by the Romans. |
| Ionic Columns | | | | Its capital features detailed carvings of |
| | | | leaves and flowers, often extending down the |
| The Ionic style of the Greek column has a | | | | column. |
| capital that features a carved scroll curving | | | | |
| out from each corner of its square top. These | | | | Composite Columns |
| scrolls, also called spirals or helixes, are | | | | |
| often connected in the carving - resembling a | | | | The Composite style is a Roman column that |
| piece of paper with both ends wrapped and | | | | combines features of both the Greek Ionic and |
| curled downward. | | | | Corinthian designs. This elaborate and |
| | | | intricate carving style incorporated the |
| Corinthian Columns | | | | acanthus leaves and floral designs with the |
| | | | scrolls or spirals found in Ionic designs. |
| The Corinthian Greek column is the most | | | | |
| ornate and the most slender of the three | | | | Architectural columns can be decorative, load |
| designs. The base of a Greek column was more | | | | bearing, or both no matter which style is |
| functional than decorative until the | | | | chosen and have a number of uses that range |
| Corinthian style was developed. The capital | | | | from the purely functional to intricately |
| on a Corinthian design has carved acanthus | | | | decorative. |
| leaves, often wrapped around carved scrolls | | | | |
| and interspersed with carved flowers or other | | | | Columns.net is the leading provider of |
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| The ancient Roman civilization adopted many | | | | quality. To find out more, please visit |
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