The Foundations of Classical Architecture Part 2: Greek Classicism - Review Questions

As you watch the video, you can browse by subject using the course outline and timestamps below. As you progress through the units, you can use the below optional (ungraded) questions to help assess your understanding of the material. Please note that these are not the summative assessment questions to be answered at the end of the course. You will also need to complete the summative assessment in order to earn course credit.

0:00: Introduction to Program; Greek Classicism and Greek Revival

Review: Which of the following is a reason why Greek ruins were not generally studied by Renaissance architects?

1. Greek ruins were not very accessible during the Renaissance.

Correct! Athens was not considered a major city by Renaissance architects, and furthermore after 1453 Greece was part of the Ottoman Empire, making travel more difficult.

2. Renaissance architects were concerned with the difficulty of replicating Greek architecture.

Incorrect. While it is true that Greek moldings are generally more complex than their Roman equivalents, this did not remove interest in studying them.

3. Greek architecture was already commonly known and therefore less interesting than Roman architecture.

Incorrect. Consider – in what year was the most influential treatise on Greek architecture published?


15:24: Greek Moldings

Review: What is one reason Greek moldings were preferred by Greek Revival architects?

1. Greek moldings are easier to design than Roman moldings.

Incorrect. In fact, Greek moldings are generally more complex in design than their Roman equivalents. Consider why that is the case.

2. Greek moldings produce bolder light and shade effects.

Correct! The elliptical and parabolic shapes of Greek moldings tend to be more dramatic in how they reflect shadows.

3. Greek moldings have more defined and clear-cut set of precedents.

Incorrect. Greek moldings are largely based on ellipses and have a very large number of possible variations compared to Roman moldings.


19:56: Greek Doric Order

Review: What is one distinctive feature of the Greek Doric order?

1. The Greek Doric order never features a base.

Correct! While the Roman and later Doric orders may or may not feature a base, a Greek Doric column is always set directly on the platform, or stylobate.

2. The Greek Doric entablature features dentals.

Incorrect. The Greek Doric entablature does not feature bed moldings or dentals.

3. Unlike the Roman Doric order, the Greek Doric is never fluted.

Incorrect. The Greek Doric order is typically fluted – and the reverse is true for the Roman Doric.


29:04 Greek Ionic Order

Review: Which of the following structures was inspired by the Erechtheion Ionic?

1. District of Columbia City Hall

Incorrect. Another precedent was used for this particular structure. Consider the restrained decoration.

2. The Façade of the American Wing of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Incorrect. Another precedent was used for this particular structure. Consider the restrained decoration.

3. 15 St. James’s Square

Correct! This building, designed by James Stuart, is considered the first Greek Revival building.


42:13: Greek Corinthian Order

Review: How common was the Corinthian order in ancient Greece?

1. It was the most commonly-used order in ancient Greece.

Incorrect. While the Corinthian order was frequently used in Rome, it was less common in ancient Greece.

2. It was about as common as the other orders.

Incorrect. While the Corinthian order was frequently used in Rome, it was less common in ancient Greece.

3. It was very rare.

Correct! The Corinthian order was very rare in ancient Greece – only a few examples, such as an unfinished capital from Epidaurus, remain.