Sezione 14-340-359:Sezione 14-340-359 7/2/07 14:50 Page 352
Classical Architecture Vocabulary Exercises
Classical orders of architecture
The five major orders are: Doric, Ionic, Corinthian, Tuscan, and Composite. They are defined by
the particular type of column and entablature in one basic unit. The column supports a section of
an entablature, which constitutes the upper horizontal part of a classical building and is itself
composed of (from bottom to top) an architrave, frieze, and cornice. The form of the capital is the
most distinguishing characteristic of a particular order.
1 Write the words in the correct places on the diagram.
cornice column architrave base pedestal dado
(1) cornice
entablature
frieze
(2)
capital
(5)
shaft
(3)
(4)
(6)
plinth
2 Match each word with the definition.
pedestal frieze plinth cornice entablature triglyph column relief
1 column
.............................. A shaft together with its base and its capital.
2 .............................. The upper horizontal part of a classical building composed of an
architrave, frieze, and cornice.
3 .............................. The base of a structure supporting a monumental column.
4 .............................. The lowest part of a pedestal.
5 .............................. A decorative band of sculpture decorating the upper stonework above
the columns.
6 .............................. The uppermost projecting element of the entablature in a column
immediately below the roof line.
7 .............................. A sculpture in which the figures project from a background or flat
surface.
8 .............................. An architectural term to describe the Doric frieze. It consists of three
raised verticals that almost look like miniature columns.
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Sezione 14-340-359:Sezione 14-340-359 7/2/07 14:50 Page 353
Classical Architecture Vocabulary Exercises
3 Look at the diagrams and circle the correct words in the descriptions below. Then
write the name for each type of architectural order.
m 1.12 m 1.12
m 1.12
m 1.8
m 1.7
m2 m2
m2
m2
m2
m 2.14 m 2.14
m 2.14
m 2.10
m 2.9
Tuscan Doric Ionic Corinthian Composite
1 Ionic
.................... order
one of the orders of ancient Greece and also found in cities of western Turkey and the
islands of the eastern Aegean. The entablature allowed for a continuous frieze, which
could be decorated in relief /cornice. Its diameter-to-height ratio is between one-to-eight
and one-to-ten. In classical/contemporary architecture, this style emerged after Doric,
perhaps from about 570 BC. The capital has four distinct sides, only two of which are
intended to be conspicuous.
2 .................... order
A style/column of architecture used on mainland Greece and in the western
Mediterranean with a plain capital and a simple column with no pedestal/base. The
order was the earliest and simplest. The fluted columns had a diameter-to-height ratio of
one-to-eight and the frieze featured triglyphs.
3 .................... order
The fifth of the classical orders/forms of architecture, a blend of the Ionic and Corinthian
styles. Examples are the arches of Septimus Severus, Titus, Bacchus, and baths of
Diocletian.
4 .................... order
The simplest order of architecture, a Roman adaptation of the Doric order. It is similar in
proportion to the Doric but much plainer. The column is seven diameters high/tall. This
order is the most solid in appearance.
5 .................... order
An architectural style characterised by columns with a diameter-to-height ratio of one-to-
ten, and an enlarged capital decorated with sculptured/frieze leaves. It originated in
Greece and was extensively used by the Romans, and is related to the Ionic order. The
earliest-known Corinthian capital was inside the temple of Apollo at Bassae.
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CLASSICAL ARCHITECTURE VOCABULARY
Exercises
ANSWER KEY
ART AND ARCHITECTURE
Exercise 1
2 architrave 3 base 4 dado 5 column 6 pedestal
Exercise 2
2 entablature 3 pedestal 4 plinth 5 frieze 6 cornice 7 relief 8 triglyph
Exercise 3
1 Ionic, relief, classical 2 Doric, style, base 3 Composite, orders
4 Tuscan, tall 5 Corinthian, sculptured
D •
TE E E
SI AD L
EB LO B
W N IA
M W P
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