Doric columns in ancient Greece are an important element of architecture. Many famous ancient Greek monuments and buildings are still observed to have Doric column. In the ancient Greek architecture, three orders of columns were seen. In addition to the Doric columns, the other two were the Ionic and the Corinthian. The Doric column is the simplest in design.

The Ionic columns are slender and graceful which the Corinthian columns were often highly decorative. All three have been subsequently modified and adopted in modern architecture. You should also remember that the Greeks were not so much of a purist and sometimes the elements of Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian columns were seen to be combined together.

Characteristics of ancient Greece Doric columns:

The major characteristics of the ancient Greek Doric columns are as follows:

• Doric columns have the simplest design. They are somewhat stout.
• The Doric columns do not rest on any base. Rather, they rise directly from the flat pavement of the temple which is called the stablemate.

• The top part of the column is called Capital. It is smooth and round. It is also rather plain compared to the other two types of columns.
• On the top of the simple round, capital rests a square abacus. It connects the column with the horizontal beam which is also called the entablature.
• The tall part of the Doric column is called the shaft. It consists of twenty sides. These are parallel concave grooves.
• At the top of the column was an area called the freeze. It is simple in design.
• The entablature of the Doric column in ancient Greece consists of the meter and the triglyph. The triglyph is a pattern of three vertical lines while the meter is an expanse of smooth flat stone between them. The triglyph is placed in a central position above the column.

• The plain and simple yet strong lines of the Doric columns of ancient Greece matched very well with the typical long rectangular buildings which the Greeks preferred.
• The Doric columns are a powerful looking element in the classic Greek architecture.

Some examples of the Doric columns in ancient Greece

The Doric columns are simple yet remarkable and are well represented in many famous buildings. Here are some examples of the Doric columns in ancient Greece:

• The most famous example of the Doric columns in ancient Greece is the Parthenon. It is one of the most famous buildings on earth. It is located in Athens. However, it does not feature pure Doric architecture. It has decorative elements of the Ionic columns as well.

• Another monument having a Doric column in ancient Greece is the temple of Delians. It is dedicated to Apollo and is located on the island of Delos.
• The temple of Hephaestus in Athens is another famous building featuring Doric column. It was built in 447 BC.

The Doric column of ancient Greece have inspired many other buildings on the Earth and those elements can be seen even today.

More info on- doric ionic and Corinthian columns