In fact, classical ideas about art and architecture continue to come back in style.
It is often used to signify an important institution or government building.
The orders describe varying levels of ornamentation and differing proportions.
Left to right: Great Theater of Epidaurus, The Parthenon Aerial, Great Theater of Epidaurus Closeup, Temple of Hephaestus, Temple of Olympian Zeus Aerial, Porch of the Caryatids at Erechtheion Temple, Temple of Olympian Zeus, and the Parthenon
Doric The Doric order was the first style developed and is the simplest of the three main orders.
The column capital includes no ornamentation and the capital does not include a base.
The most well-known use of the Doric order is in the Parthenon.
Porch of the Caryatids at Erechtheion Temple in Acropolis of Athens, Greece (Photo:Stock Photosfrom Tymonko Galyna/Shutterstock)
Corinthian The Corinthian order was the last style developed and is the most ornamental of all orders.
The most distinctive element of the Corinthian order is the elaborate capitals often featuring leaves or motifs from nature.
It sits on the hill of theAcropolisinAthensand is often described as having distinctly spiritual qualities.
Parthenon Temple in Acropolis of Athens, Greece (Photo:Stock Photosfrom PNIKOL/Shutterstock)
To learn more, read our article on10 facts about the Parthenon.
The original plan featured a temple in the Doric order and made out of limestone.
Political difficulties forced construction to halt for centuries.
Parthenon Temple in Acropolis of Athens, Greece (Photo:Stock Photosfrom Victoria Kurylo/Shutterstock)
Yet again, the leader was unable to complete the temple, and construction was halted.
It was only under Roman emperorHadrianthat the project was finally completed.
It was built byPhidias, a sculptor and mason who also worked on the Parthenon.
Temple of Olympian Zeus in Athens, Greece (Photo:Stock Photosfrom Aerial-motion/Shutterstock)
It was built from white marble fromMount Pentelicus.
The design itself was unusual for its lack of symmetry and its construction over a massive slope.
This porch features six caryatids, or columns in the form of women, supported the impressive roof.
Temple of Olympian Zeus in Athens, Greece (Photo:Stock Photosfrom eyal granith/Shutterstock)
These sculptural columns can now be found in both theBritish Museum in Londonand theNew Acropolis Museum.
People from all over Greece were said to travel to the theater for healing.
But how exactly does an ancient outdoor theater of this size work for such large events?
Erechtheion Temple in Acropolis of Athens, Greece (Photo:Stock Photosfrom Zzvet/Shutterstock)
How can the visitors in the top row hope to hear a performer from the stage?
The structure carefully considered the acoustics of this situation.
This acoustical engineering kept the theater in use for many centuries.
Porch of the Caryatids at ErechtheionTemple in Acropolis of Athens, Greece (Photo:Stock Photosfrom Anastasios71/Shutterstock)
It is also the best-preserved temple of ancient Greece and was built according to the Doric order.
Though it is older than the Parthenon, some of the same craftsmen and architects worked on both.
It remained this way until 1834 when King Otto converted it into a museum for a hundred years.
Great Theater of Epidaurus in Epidaurus, Greece (Photo:Stock Photosfrom Thevergori/Shutterstock)
If you visit today, youll be able to walk through an incredibly preserved ancient temple.
Great Theater of Epidaurus in Epidaurus, Greece (Photo:Stock Photosfrom Zina Seletskaya/Shutterstock)
Temple of Hephaestus or Hephaisteion in Athens, Greece (Photo:Stock Photosfrom isidoros andronos/Shutterstock)
Temple of Hephaestus or Hephaisteion in Athens, Greece (Photo:Stock Photosfrom Joke van Eeghem/Shutterstock)
