A whole class teaching tool created by

Paul Turner, Round Diamond School

To deduce information about Greek beliefs and religious practises from pictures of buildings.

Temples were very important buildings in the Greek city. There were many temples in each town because there was more than one god. Sometimes one area of the town, often a hilltop, would become a holy place. Here the Greeks would build several temples, including one to the special god or goddess who looked after that town. This area of temples was called the acropolis.

The Acropolis in Athens

The temples showed how wealthy and powerful the city was. Rich cities, like Athens, built temples of the best stone, and decorated them with paintings, statues and carvings.

The Parthenon, dedicated to the goddess Athena

Inside the temple there would be a huge statue of the god or goddess. Inside the Parthenon in Athens, there was a statue of the goddess Athene that was over 10 metres high and made of pure ivory and gold.

People brought gifts to the god or goddess, and left these on a table in the temple. Animals were brought as sacrifices to the gods and killed at the temple.

A closer look at the Parthenon

pediment

capital

lintel

column, in the Doric style

carvings

West pediment

Sculptures in West pediment

          The Doric style is rather sturdy and its top (the capital), is plain. This style was used in mainland Greece and the colonies in southern Italy and Sicily.

        The Ionic style is thinner and more elegant. Its capital is decorated with a scroll-like design (a volute). This style was found in eastern Greece and the islands.

     The Corinthian style is seldom used in the Greek world, but often seen on Roman temples. Its capital is very elaborate and decorated with acanthus leaves.

The Temple of Athena Nike is also on the Acropolis in Athens and is an example of the Ionic style.

An original Corinthian style column

Modern example of Doric style

Modern example of Ionic style

Modern example of Corinthian style