Editing Ancient Greek architecture (section)

==== Corinthian order ==== 

The Corinthian order does not have its origin in wooden architecture. It grew directly out of the Ionic in the mid 5th century BC, and was initially of much the same style and proportion, but distinguished by its more ornate capitals.<ref name=BF9>{{harvnb|Fletcher|1996|pp=137–139}}.</ref> The capital was very much deeper than either the Doric or the Ionic capital, being shaped like a large ''krater'', a bell-shaped mixing bowl, and being ornamented with a double row of [[acanthus (plant)|acanthus]] leaves above which rose voluted tendrils, supporting the corners of the abacus, which, no longer perfectly square, splayed above them. According to [[Vitruvius]], the capital was invented by a bronze founder, [[Callimachus (sculptor)|Callimachus]] of Corinth, who took his inspiration from a basket of offerings that had been placed on a grave, with a flat tile on top to protect the goods. The basket had been placed on the root of an acanthus plant which had grown up around it.<ref name="BF9" /> The ratio of the column height to diameter is generally 10:1, with the capital taking up more than 1/10 of the height. The ratio of capital height to diameter is generally about 1.16:1.<ref name="BF9" />

{{multiple image
|align     = left
|direction = horizontal
|header_align = center
|header    = The Corinthian Order <br /> The Temple of Zeus Olympia, Athens, ("the Olympieion")
|image1    = Temple Of Olympian Zeus - Olympieion (retouched).jpg
|width1    = 275
|alt1      =
|caption1  =
|image2    = Grece athenes olympion det.jpg
|width2    = 232
|alt2      =
|caption2  = The tall capital combines both semi-naturalistic leaves and highly stylised tendrils forming volutes.
}}

The Corinthian order was initially used internally, as at the [[Bassae|Temple of Apollo Epicurius]] at Bassae (c. 450–425 BC). In 334 BC, it appeared as an external feature on the [[Choragic Monument of Lysicrates]] in Athens, and then on a huge scale at the Temple of Zeus Olympia in Athens (174 BC–132 AD).<ref name="BF9" /> It was popularised by the Romans, who added a number of refinements and decorative details. During the Hellenistic period, Corinthian columns were sometimes built without fluting.<ref name="BF9" />
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