DORIC ORDER: CHARACTERISTICS, PARTS AND EXAMPLES OF WORKS - ART - 2025

The Doric order is the first order of architecture of Ancient Greece, being later replaced by the Ionic and Corinthian styles. The orders are identified through their aesthetic compositions, their descriptions and proportions.

The Doric order is said to represent the moment in which the constructions of the Mediterranean civilizations made a transition from non-durable building materials such as wood, to permanent materials such as stone.

The Parthenon, located on the Acropolis of Athens. One of the most important structures in the history of Ancient Greece.

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After Ancient Greece, the Romans adopted the Doric order in many structures, making a few modifications to its characteristics. The style includes the columns, the axis, its base, the capitals, the architrave, the friezes and the cornices.

The Doric order appears as the simplest order of architectural styles and was implemented in multiple constructions such as temples, among which the Parthenon stands out.

characteristics

One of the main elements to determine what type of order a structure belongs to are the columns. That is, simply by identifying the column, it is possible to check the order of the rest of the construction.

In the case of the Doric order, in addition to the columns, its most notable characteristics are:

-The columns do not usually have a base that separates them from the floor of the structure in which they are located.

-The capitals are smooth and undecorated.

-The part of the entablature includes a frieze containing ornaments.

-The columns are robust and fluted.

-The design is simple in its composition.

-They do not have many decorative elements.

Parts of the Doric order

The Doric order can be reflected in the different segments of the columns of this architectural style.

Example of parts of a Doric order structure

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- The platform or

It is the base on which the column rises and contains the stereobat and the stylobate.

- Stereobat: these are the lower steps of structures or buildings

- Stylobate: it is the upper step on which the columns rest

- Colonnade or peristyle

It is the row of columns that rise within a classical Greek structure. They usually surround the building or a part of it. The parts of the Doric columns are:

Shank

It is the part that makes up the column itself. The shaft can be a single stone structure or it can be made up of several blocks known as "drums", stacked one on top of the other.

Capital

One of the parts that can most define the architectural order of a classic structure. It is used as a support for the entablature. It comprises the top of the spine. It is made up of other elements such as:

Collar: it is a section that joins the shaft with the capital. It is ring-shaped and exhibits three to four slight indentations. It is not characteristic of all Doric order columns since there are some that do not present it.

Equine: a circular element that is located on the collar and has a convex profile.

Abacus: it is the upper piece of the capital. It is a rectangular slab on which the architrave rests.

- Entablature

Also known as "cornice", it is a section that rests on the capitals and is made up of the architrave, the frieze and the cornice. These last two also fulfill an ornamental function.

Architrave

It is the lower part of the entablature that is in contact with the upper part of the columns. Its function is to transmit the weight of the upper part towards the columns.

Frieze

It is the decorated part of the entablature, usually in relief. It is located under the cornice. It contains triglyphs and metopes. Triglyphs are a type of rectangular ornament with three vertical bands. For their part, metopes are smooth, rectangular spaces and sometimes with reliefs or paintings that are located between the triglyphs.

Cornice

It is a projecting molding at the top of the entablature structure. Its function is to protect the walls, although it also fulfills a decorative function.

- Cover

It is the part of the structure that covers or encloses a construction and that is usually inclined. In the Doric order it was made up of the pediment, the chasm and a gargoyle.

Fronton

It is a triangular-shaped structure with which the facade of the structure of a classic building was finished.

Chasm

Area in which the tiles that covered the roofs were supported.

Gargoyle

Ornamental artistic piece that protrudes from the structure. It can have various shapes that refer to beasts or human figures. They have the function of drainage.

Examples of Gothic structures

The Parthenon

It is the temple located on the Acropolis of Athens, one of the most important areas in all of Greece. It dates from the middle of the 5th century BC. C. It was built in honor of the goddess Athena Parthenos. It is considered to be the temple that marks the last stage of development of the Doric order. The Parthenon was also the site of the shelter of the great sculpture of the goddess made from wood, ivory and gold, with a height of approximately 12 meters.

Its front is composed of 8 columns and 17 more on its sides. Each one measures approximately 10.93 meters high by 1.91 in diameter.

Temple of Hephaestus or the Hephaestion

Another of the outstanding structures of the Doric order is the Temple of Hephaestus, also known as Hephaestion. It is located in the agora of Athens on the hill of Agoreros Kolonos.

It is so far one of the best preserved structures of that order. It honors Hephaestus, god of fire and the forge. In its friezes are some representations of Hercules. It also has two statues that symbolize Hephaestus and Athena.

Originally it had 34 columns and its construction dates from the year 449 BC. C. It is often claimed that it took more than three decades to complete. It was built from marble, mostly.

Poseidon's temple

It is located at Cape Sounion in Greece. Originally it had 38 columns, although today only 16 remain upright. Its construction of Doric order dates from the year 444 a. C. It appears as one of the most important monuments of the Golden Age of Athens. The structure is located about 60 meters above sea level.

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