Classical Humanism and Architecture Essay Example for Free

Classical Humanism and computer architecture EssayINTRODUCTION Classical humanism in architecture is a direct reflection of a human quest of self-realization by means of ages. As for the recorded evidences one can go back to the periods of Plato, Zeno, Epicurus or Aristotle the period reigned by definitive philosophers when this quest of know thyself flourished and instituteed itself as a philosophy to woo the future generations. Thus this experiment takes a quick look to expressions of classical humanism through the wonderful architectural remains of Acropolis that contains the signs of developing in architecture too before coming into its own conclusion. Classical Division of Greco-Roman Architecture The period in discussion contains three distinctive division of architecture, viz. , doric, Ionic and Corinthian order. doric could be termed as the mainstream architecture of Greece, which later gave way to Ionic and Corinthian order, where each of them can be place throug h their different finishes at the sections standardised cornice, frieze, architrave, capital, shaft and base.Out of them two manners still co habit in Acropolis Parthenon and Erechtheum, while the third, belonging to Roman era, has two of its bright mannequins in the Temple of the Sybil in Rome or in the Charlotte City Hall (Shulman). Classical Humanism It can be identified as the improvised state of early Greek Humanism (1200-750 B. C. ), when the Greeks had evolved with the concept of argonte (human excellence), where the guiding elements were courage, loyalty, generosity, mercy, dignity, decency, honor, stoicism and enduringness (Sunami, 2004).Gradually the motion picture of these elements as virtues took shape in architectural details besides other modes of expressions like drama, painting or writing, where a realistic approach dominated the proceedings. It is because of that the human-centered sculptures done by them or the details in their architecture attempts to create near-perfect depiction of figures. Parthenon In spite of its present dilapidated state, Parthenon (447-432 B. C.), the house of Greek goddess Athena Perthenos (the Virgin Athena) is easily the best example of both Doric architecture and Humanism, where its dim-witted columns and the detailed human figures would reflect a plain living and high thinking philosophy.In fact, the Doric architecture relied much on the solidity rather than frills, which is evident in its many expressions, like the shafts of its boilers suit 46 columns or their capitals and friezes besides cornices.As for humanism, it contained many figures, and especially the metops (relief-works), which were altogether 92 in number, fan out all around to depict the series of mythological events or the successful war ventures of the people of Athens. The near-accurate depiction of various muscuto-skeletal states of humans speaks of the deep thoughts applied by their creators. Erectheum Thereafter, the fascination with mathematics and geometry of the Greeks belonging to the period cholecalciferol B.C. 30 B. C. , led to their advancement in architecture (Sunami, 2004) while maintaining their idea of humanism. A great example of such an evolution could be seen in Erectheum (421-405 B. C. ), which had replaced Doric architecture by Ionic order, a style developed in Ionia region of Greece. The six Ionic columns of its facade beholding six sculpted figures of maidens with commodious bead and reel and egg and dart moldings (Osborne), corroborates the fact.Corinthian Order Further departure from Doric is notice in Corinthian order of architectural style, where the capitals of its pillars started having flowers and leaves below a small scroll (Shulman), besides tweaking its shafts and cornices to establish a flattened look, altogether indicating evolution in both architecture and philosophy of humanism, where the later express on nature more than before.CONCLUSION The philosophy of humanism or the t rends in architecture are both never-ending subjects, but the wonderful episode of their togetherness in the early era sill serves as intellectual nourishment for thoughts like simplicity is the hallmark of elegance or every instance of human existence is imbed with history, philosophy and nature. Ends Works Cited Shulman, B. R.Classical Orders. Retrieved 20 celestial latitude 2007, from http//www. cmhpf. org/kids/dictionary/ClassicalOrders. html Sunami, C. 2004. History of Humanism. Retrieved 20 December 2007, from http//kitoba. com/pedia/History+of+Humanism. html Osborne, R. The Erechtheum. Retrieved 20 December 2007, from http//www. jact. org/publications/sample_erechtheum. htm.