How Religion Was Expressed Through Ancient Greek Architecture

Religion in Greece was expressed by the construction of elaborate temples and statues, the positioning of the temples towards a particular star or planet associated with a deity, and in the decorations used in buildings.

Ancient Greek architecture included huge, elaborate temples in honor of their deities. In the temples would be large statues of the god or goddess and sometimes a relief portraying a deity or religious story. Each city had a patron deity and many rituals and festivals were associated with that particular deity.  The temple was usually facing east, toward the place where a particular star or planet would be seen that was related to the town’s deity.    

Temples were many times integrated into the life of the people in a town. They would have an open air altar in front. Inside the temple would be a room that held treasures of the god or goddess. There was also a place for people to leave offerings, and statues of the deity of the town and sometimes animals.  

The circular temples (tholos) were part of a complex of halls and buildings. There would be a public water fountain, a “stoa” which is a long hallway with a colonnade beside it with shops. This shows the connection between the people of the town and their deity.

The Parthenon

The people of Athens considered Athena to be their protector, so they built the Parthenon to honor her. It was built between 447 BC and 432 BC. It was built in the Doric style, which means the columns are sturdy, plain, and unadorned. It was rectangular with two inner rooms. One was the treasury and one held a statue of Athena.  Many other temples and early Greek architecture were built like this. 

On the temple were metopes, which are scenes carved into a marble panel. These carvings show battles and other scenes from mythology. The exterior walls of the cella (inner room) are decorated with bas-reliefs. These are also sculptured artwork that tells a story or shows a scene. Another place where there were stone carvings was the pediments. These are the triangular, gable ends between the roof and the top of the building. 

Decorations

Ancient Greek architecture had decorations that represented deities or important mythological animals. Many terra cotta water spouts showed animals that were directly from mythology.

Griffins were often placed at each corner of the roof that was over the temple or the inner room that stored treasure. Griffins had the body of a lion and the head and wings of an eagle. These griffins were guarding the gold of Scythia from the Arimaspians, a race of one-eyed giants (Cyclops) who tried to steal the gold.

Greek Deities Portrayed In Temples

Major dieties included in ancient Greek art and architecture included:

• Zeus - ruler of the gods
• Hera - wife of Zeus
• Apollo - son of Zeus, god of the sun, music, and founder of cities
• Hestia - goddess of the hearth
• Heracles - god of strength and power
• Athena - goddess of wisdom, peace, and prosperity
• Poseidon - god of the sea
• Dionysos - god of wine and feasting
• Demeter - goddess of agriculture
• Artemis - goddess of the hunt and wild animals
• Hermes - messenger of the gods, had winged feet
• Aphrodite - goddess of love and beauty
• Nike - goddess of victory

The building of a beautiful temple was the main way that religion was expressed through ancient Greek architecture.