the triangle shaped area at each end of the greek temple is called tympanum.
the triangle shaped area at each end of the greek temple is called tympanum.
what is the triangle shaped area at each end of the greek temple called?
tympanum
greek temples were designed and constructed according to set proportions, mostly determined by the lower diameter of the columns or by the dimensions of the foundation levels. the nearly mathematical strictness of the basic designs thus reached was lightened by optical refinements. in spite of the still widespread idealised image, greek temples were painted, so that bright reds and blues contrasted with the white of the building stones or of stucco. the more elaborate temples were equipped with very rich figural decoration in the form of reliefs and pedimental sculpture. the construction of temples was usually organised and financed by cities or by the administrations of sanctuaries. private individuals, especially hellenistic rulers, could also sponsor such buildings. in the late hellenistic period, their decreasing financial wealth, along with the progressive incorporation of the greek world within the roman state, whose officials and rulers took over as sponsors, led to the end of greek temple construction. new temples now belonged to the tradition of the roman temple, which, in spite of the very strong greek influence on it, aimed for different goals and followed different aesthetic principles (for a comparison, see the other article).
ancient greek temple
a ionic temple with a design very similar with that of a greek temple is known from jandial in the northwestern indian subcontinent, today pakistan. the temple is considered as a semi-classical temple. its design is essentially that of a greek temple, with a naos, pronaos and an opisthodomos at the back. two ionic columns at the front are framed by two anta walls as in a greek distyle in antis layout. it seems that the temple had an outside wall with windows or doorways, in a layout similar to that of a greek encircling row of columns (peripteral design). it has been called "the most hellenic structure yet found on indian soil".
ancient greek temple