peripteral plan

The peripteral plan is a Greek architectural style characterized by a temple surrounded by a single row of columns on all sides. This type of plan is typical of Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian temples.

The peripteral plan is a fundamental element of classical Greek temple architecture. A peripteral temple is defined by the presence of a continuous colonnade that entirely surrounds the main building (the cella or naos). This row of columns, called the peristasis, creates a covered walkway around the cella, accessible by a portico on each side of the temple.

The peripteral style is primarily associated with the three Greek architectural orders: Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian. Doric temples, such as the Parthenon in Athens, are often considered iconic examples of this plan. Doric columns are sturdy and fluted, with simple capitals. Ionic temples, like the Temple of Artemis at Ephesus, feature more slender columns with bases and capitals adorned with volutes. Corinthian temples, although rarer, are recognizable by their richly decorated capitals with acanthus leaves.

The peripteral plan not only supports the temple's roof but also creates a space for circulation and contemplation around the sanctuary. The exterior columns also serve an aesthetic purpose, adding to the building's grandeur and symmetry. In addition to their structural role, peripteral columns often supported friezes and metopes sculpted with mythological and historical scenes.

The concept of the peripteral plan influenced many subsequent constructions, notably in Roman and neoclassical architecture. Peripteral temples are important testimonies to the ingenuity and elegance of ancient Greek architecture, reflecting the harmony and proportion characteristic of that period.