The architectural parts of an ancient temple
a. The crepidoma and stylobate. The crepidoma is the stone foundation of the temple consisting of three steps. The uppermost level of the crepidoma provides the surface on which the columns and walls are placed; it is called stylobate.
b. The base. The base is characteristic only of the Ionic order. It is located on the stylobate. Between the column and the crepidoma there is a stone base, which usually consists of three parts: two spirals, the upper and the lower and the pulley or dark in the middle.
c. The column. The column in the Ionic order consists of streaks that end in curves, while in the Doric style the ridges end in edges. The columns, most of the time, and especially in the Doric order, consist of several separately cut column drums, which were not visible after the end of the works, because they were covered with a light coating (plaster). The columns in the Ionic order compared to the columns of the Doric order are thinner, narrow slightly upwards, and have vertical grooves. The grooves, instead of being connected to each other by sharp edges, are separated by small flat surfaces that are between them. While Doric column consists of 11 usually cut column drums and has 18 to 20 flutings, Ionic ones have 24 flutings into the column shaft and while Doric columns stand directly on the stylobate, Ionic ones possess a base.
d. The capital. The column ends at the capital. The capitals in the Doric order are simple in relation to the Ionic one. In the Doric order, the capital consists of a circular torus bulge, originally very flat, the so-called echinus, and a square slab, the abacus. The "abacus" is the upper planar point of the column on which the architrave rests, while the "echinus" is the immediately lower point which is a smooth transition from the "abacus" to the main column. The capital of the Doric is heavier while that of the Ionian is more graceful. The capital in the Ionic order is delicate and sits directly on the shaft. The echinus of Ionic columns is decorated with an egg-and-dart band followed by a sculpted pillow forming two volutes, supporting a thin abacus.
e. The architrave (epistyle). The architrave (epistyle) is located just above the capitals and consists of rectangular stones. The architrave in Doric order had no decoration. The only element present in the architrave was the drops, usually six, which could be considered as an element of the overlying metopes. The architrave in the Ionic order is divided into three superimposed and protruding bands.
f. The triglyphs and the metopes - The frieze . In the Doric order above the architrave is located the triglyph frieze. The Doric frieze was structured by triglyphs. These were placed above the axis of each column, and above the center of each intercolumniation. The triglyphs are three long and narrow and vertical carvings in marble. Their design was introduced to resemble the wooden beams that once housed the temples. For this reason, just below each one (carved in the entablature) are imitations of the nails that once held the wooden beams, called "drops". The spaces between the triglyphs contained metopes, sometimes painted or decorated with relief sculpture. Above each triglyph and metope there is a rectangular plate the promochthos. In ancient times, the triglyphs were painted blue while the metopes were red. In the Ionic order, the frieze possesses no triglyphs and is simply left flat, sometimes decorated with paintings or reliefs.
g. The cornice. The cornice protrudes and consists of the geison (on the sloped sides or pediments of the narrow walls a sloped geison), and the sima. On the long side, the sima, often elaborately decorated, was equipped with water spouts, often in the shape of lions' heads. It protects the triglyphs and metopes or the frieze from the rain water.
The architrave (epistyle), the triglyphs and the metopes or the frieze and the cornice are parts of entablature.
h. The pedimental triangle or tympanon. . This is the triangular section at the top of the facade of a temple. The tympanon was usually richly decorated with sculptures of mythical scenes or battles. The corners and ridges of the roof were decorated with acroteria, originally geometric, later floral or figural decorations.