Architecture Glossary by Jackie Craven
What is a "column"?
A column is an upright pillar or post. Columns may support a roof or a beam, or they may be purely decorative. The lower portion of a column is called the base. The upper portion of a column is called the capital. The area which the column supports is called the entablature. Classical columns are built according to the Classic Orders of Architecture as recorded in the late 1500's by the Renaissance architect, Vignola. The classical column designs are:
 From Ancient Greece |
 From Ancient Greece |
 From Ancient Greece |
Tuscan |
A combined style, known as Composite, was developed in Ancient Rome.
Illustrations from ArtToday.com.
Learn More About Columns:
Doric
Columns
Your Guide to Ancient and Classical History describes the history of Doric columns
and explains the differences between Doric, Ionic and Corinthian columns.
How
to Tell Apart Greek Columns
Not sure how to tell Doric from Ionic or Corinthian? Here are quick and easy
tips from your Guide to Greece for Visitors.
Ancient
Greece and Crete
Find facts and photos for great buildings of ancient Greece and Crete
Ancient
Rome
Find facts and photos for great buildings of the ancient Roman Empire.
