Week 3- Classical Civilizations: Greece and Rome

   INT221-History of Interiors Blog 

By: Nicol Valeria Torres Villamil 

Week 3- Classical Civilizations: Greece and Rome

This week we learned about the architecture, interiors, and furnishing of the Classical Civilizations of Greece and Rome. 

Greek design for architecture, interiors, and furnishing was also marked by the Classical Orders: Doric, Ionic, and Corinthianeach distinguished by unique ratios and details. The Parthenon in Athens represents one of the finest examples of Greek design, with balanced proportions, coffered ceilings, and incredible sculptural embellishment. 

Greek interiors usually contained central courtyards with living space arranged around, often with painted walls and/or a colorful blue and floral patterned mosaic. The furniture, which while quite simplistic, was beautifully designed particularly the klismos chair with its elegantly shaped rail and legs, and the multipurpose couches called kline. Greek design ideals were proportion, harmony, and visual perfection we have decorative patterns and architectural motifs today derived from Greek design, such as the Greek key and egg-and-dart. 

The Romans, inherited much of Greek culture and design, particularly in architecture and built form. The Romans perfected the use of arches, vaults, and domes (using concrete for the first time). The Coliseum (80 A.D.) is a modelling masterpiece of architecture and engineering with seating for 50,000 patrons, it uniquely incorporates three of the orders. The Pantheon (126 A.D.) has the largest unreinforced solid dome in the world at 142' and features an oculus; it is one of the most influential buildings in history. 

Roman interiors were luxurious with exquisite mosaic floors, decorative and color fresco paintings, and stucco. Their wealthy residences (domus and villas) included atriums and peristyles, and the walls of these spaces were exquisitely and colourfully illustrated employing trompe-l'oeil illustrations. Their furniture included thrones (cathedra), stools (sella), tables (mensae), and benches (sedilia).

Toghether, Greece and Rome established the foundation od Western architecture and interior design, emphasizing both function and beauty. 

Historical Images

The Parthenon (Athens, Greece)

The Parthenon demonstrates the use of Doric columns and perfect proportions in Greek temple

design. 

Greek Klismos Chair 

The klismos chair, with its curved legs and back, represents elegance and innovation in Greek furniture.

The Roman Coliseum (Rome, Italy)

The Coliseum shows the Roman mastery of arches, vaults, and concrete in monumental

architecture. 

The Pantheon (Rome, Italy) 

The Pantheon’s dome and oculus are engineering achievements that influenced architecture for centuries.

Pompeii Frescoes

Wall paintings in Pompeii reveal Roman interest in ornamentation, illusion, and storytelling within interiors.

Current Applications 

U.S. Capitol Building (Washington, D.C.)

The Capitol uses a dome and portico inspired by Roman and Greek temples. 

Neoclassical Architecture (Europe & U.S.)

Government buildings often use columns and pediments basedon Greek and Roman orders. 

Me morials and Museums

 

Structures like the Lincoln Memorial echo Greek temple design with Doric columns.

Furniture Design

Modern reproductions of the klismos chair show the lasting influence of Greek furniture. 

Interior Decoration

Patterns like the Greek key and Roman mosaics are still used in flooring, wallpaper, and textiles.

One Step Further – Vitruvius

For my "One Step Further" section, I investigated Vitruvius (80-15 BC), a Roman architect, civil engineer and writer of De Architectura. Vitruvius is credited with designing the Basilica of Fano, even though the building has not survived. His most significant project was the ten volume treatise De Architectura that contained much on city planning, methods of construction, water supply, acoustics, machines, etc. He introduced the principles of Firmitas, Utilitas, and Venustas (Strength, Utility and Beauty) that have continued to shape architectural thinking. Vitruvius had a direct influence on Renaissance architects like Palladio, and continues to be integrated into design education today.

Reflection

The study of Greece and Rome allowed me to see how much of our world is influenced by these civilizations. From government public buildings constructed with Corinthian columns to domes employed in our own structures from the Pantheon, clearly our shadow still exists. However, I was most impressed with how they merged the concepts of innovation, proportion, and symbolism. Design was never only about function; it was a medium to manifest cultural values, power, and identity.