What are the four classical columns?

The three orders of architecture—the Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian—originated in Greece. To these the Romans added, in practice if not in name, the Tuscan, which they made simpler than Doric, and the Composite, which was more ornamental than the Corinthian.



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There are four main types of ancient Roman columns: Doric, Ionic, Corinthian, and Tuscan. Columns are composed of a large base or pedestal for support, the shaft of the column, and the capital at the top. These features can also vary within each style.

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There a five different orders or styles of columns. The first three orders, Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian, are the three principal architectural orders of ancient architecture. They were developed in ancient Greece but also used extensively in Rome. The final two, Tuscan and Composite, were developed in ancient Rome.

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The Corinthian order was first developed around 430 BC, and it was named for the Greek city-state of Corinth. Although the Greeks continued to create the Corinthian columns until 323 BC, the Romans further popularized the Corinthian style of column.

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The Doric order was much used in Greek Revival architecture from the 18th century onwards; often earlier Greek versions were used, with wider columns and no bases to them. The ancient architect and architectural historian Vitruvius associates the Doric with masculine proportions (the Ionic representing the feminine).

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Carved from stone, the columns were highly decorated with carved and painted hieroglyphs, texts, ritual imagery and natural motifs. Egyptian columns are famously present in the Great Hypostyle Hall of Karnak ( c. 1224 BC), where 134 columns are lined up in 16 rows, with some columns reaching heights of 24 metres.

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The tallest victory column in Rome was the Column of Marcus Aurelius, Rome, with the height of its top above ground being c. 39.72 m. It thus exceeds its earlier model, Trajan's Column, by 4.65 m, chiefly due to its higher pedestal.

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