| The ancient Roman civilization
adopted many of the social, cultural and physical characteristics
of the Greek era that preceded the Roman Empire. There are
many facets of Roman architecture that can be recognized as
having originated in Greece. The design of Roman columns is
one of those architectural features.
There are three recognized styles of Greek column design.
In architectural terms, those are the Doric Order, the Ionic
Order and the Corinthian Order. All three of these column
designs can be found in Roman architecture. The Romans themselves
added two additional designs, which today are called Tuscan
and Composite.
These five design variations are the principal styles found
in Roman columns. Most Greek columns were designed with fluting,
the narrow channels with curved sides that run the length
of the column's shaft. Typically, there were twenty four
of these flutes included in the circumference of a column,
aligned side by side with narrow flat spaces between them.
The principal differences in Roman column designs are in
the bases and the tops, also known as capitals.
The simplest Roman column is the Tuscan, which is an adaptation
of the Greek Doric style. It has no base, no fluting and
a saucer shaped top that supports a flat square area above
it.
Doric Roman columns have bases and a similar top as the
Tuscan; the shafts are fluted but with fewer and shallower
channels than the Greek style.
Roman columns in the Ionic style have capitals that feature
scrolled carvings at the corners of the square top.
The Corinthian design is the most elaborate of the Greek
styles adopted by the Romans. Its capital features detailed
carvings of leaves and flowers, often extending down the
column.
The Composite style is a Roman column that combines features
of both the Greek Ionic and Corinthian designs. This elaborate
and intricate carving style incorporated the acanthus leaves
and floral designs with the scrolls or spirals found in Ionic
designs.
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