doric greek temple

the doric order of greek temple architecture arose in mainland greece in the 7th century bc. its form is based on earlier wood construction. it developed on mainland greece, sicily, and southern italy, at the same time as the ionic order in the greek cities of asia minor. the ionic order never got a foothold in sicily, so classical greek temples on that island represent a continuous development of the doric order.

examples of doric temples include the temple of poseidon at paestum, and the parthenon in athens. the doric column is defined by the rounded "pincushion" shape of its capital, or echinus. the doric frieze consists of alternate triglyphs and metopes. the metopes may contain sculptured reliefs. doric columns lack bases, and rest directly on their supporting platform (stylobate).