General Features
The foremost type of ancient Greek architecture is the temple; other monumental buildings (e.g. palaces, civic halls) were generally modelled on temple design. A Greek temple typically served as the home of a deity statue, before which ceremonies were conducted by priests. Like most cultures throughout history, however, the general population of ancient Greece did not congregate inside temples for religious services.3
Until the Archaic period, the Greeks typically constructed monumental buildings from wooden timbers and clay bricks (like the Aegeans before them). Throughout the Archaic period, these materials were superseded by stone, of which the supreme type was marble. Lesser varieties of stone were often enhanced with a veneer of marble dust.2
The Etruscan civilization (ca. 800 BC-0) of central Italy also erected large-scale architecture, in a style based strongly on that of the Greeks (see reconstruction of an Etruscan temple). Ruins of Etruscan cities (see examples) are scant, however, as the Etruscans (like the Aegeans) built mainly with wood and clay, which deteriorates swiftly. The Etruscans made early advances in arched construction, which were absorbed by the Romans.3,16
Main Article
Archaic Age
ca. 800-500 BC
The Archaic age (see History of Greek Europe) was the formative period of Greek architecture, during which the typical layouts, proportions, and decorative elements of the Greek temple were established.
The earliest Greek temple design was essentially a rectangular building with a portico (covered porch with columns) fitted to the entrance. This plan was based on the Mycenaean megaron (see Aegean Architecture). Eventually, in order to achieve symmetrical design, a second portico was added to the opposite end of the building; this was merely a decorative porch (a "false portico") as it lacked an entrance.H128,2,6,13