Doric (Style)

Doric (Style) / adjective :

First Page Mentioned (By Name) : ch. “The Underwater Citadel of Yonaguni” – pg. 120

One of the earliest of the Greek Classic Orders of Architecture, its engineering and visual complexity are simpler than either Corinthian or Ionic columns. The capital portion of a column (or the top part, the cap) is a simple design, with an echinus (or smooth) round capital like flare at the top of the shaft, which rests under a square cap to better disperse the load held up by the column. The shaft is fluted or grooved, is larger at the bottom, and rests directly on the ground without need for any base or pedestal.

Because of the thicker shafts, Doric columns were often used at the bottom of buildings, followed by Ionic columns in the mid tier, while reserving the top for Corinthian columns (after they were invented, that is). Greece actively used Doric from the 6th century B.C., to about 100 B.C.. Romans adopted Doric, but made some changes: they made the shafts slightly longer, and added a base to them. These Roman Doric columns are similar to the Roman Tuscan columns, except Tuscan columns had absolutely no flutes, grooves or other ornamentation, and were typically much taller.

Related Entries: Corinthian (Style); Ionic (Style)

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