The Classical Architectural Orders: Corinthian

Posted by Robin Fowler Aug 18, 2006

The Corinthian Order is the latest of the 3 main architecturals orders, including the Ionic order and the Doric order. It was rarely used in Greek architecture, and was more commonly found in Roman construction.

The Corinthian order is by far the most ornate of the 3 architectural orders, characterized by the highly stylized column capital. The capital resembles an acanthus plant, with layers of scrolling leaves. Callimachus, the Greek architect and sculptor, was said to have been inspired by an acanthus plant sporuting out a basket, and thus developed this style.

The Corinthian column has no neck, in order to simulate the base of the basket. The columns are deeply fluted. The abacus upon the column capitals was concave on the center of each side, and often adorned with a rosette. The architrave (the beam that sat upon the columns) contained a frieze, which was decoratively carved, and a set of cornice moldings rested above that.

An example of the Corinthian order include the Temple of Apollo Epicurius at Bassae from 420 B.C. It is not actually a Corinthian temple, but it feterued a lone Corinthian column centered on its front. It is the oldest example of a Corinthian column. Another wonderful example of the Corinthian Order is the Roman Pantheon, completed in 25 B.C. and later converted to a Christian church.

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