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 * Ancient Greek Architecture**

media type="custom" key="7149689" Laura H. Ms. Darrough CEC WD1 October 19, 2010 The Influence of Greek Architecture on the Modern World You may not realize it, but you come in contact with buildings based upon Greek architectural designs at least once every day. These designs usually include columns, which were invented by the Greeks. Not only are many homes built with columns, but so are several buildings in our nation's capital. One building in Washington, D.C. that was made based on those of ancient Greece is the Lincoln Memorial. The building's structural design is similar to a Doric temple. Its columns have no base, with a cylindrical shape and square capital. There are thirty-eight columns; thirty-six of them representing the states at the time of Lincoln's death. The Temple of Apollo at Delphi shares the same characteristics. It also has Doric columns. Both have columns that stretch around their exterior. The Lincoln Memorial, as well as the Temple of Apollo at Delphi, contain limestone. This material was most likely used because it is rather easy to cut and carve. It is also readily available and can last a long time. Though the materials of the buildings are the same, their purpose for construction is different. The Temple of Apollo at Delphi was built for the worship of the god of light and healing, whereas the Lincoln Memorial was built in honor of the deceased sixteenth president. The Lincoln Memorial was only built once, unlike the Temple of Apollo at Delphi. The temple was constructed three times. The first two times, the temple was destroyed due to fires. The third building is the one that remains today, and is a nearly exact replica of the second. The methods of construction for the Temple of Apollo at Delphi and the Lincoln Memorial were also different. The memorial was built from pieces of stone that were cut with steam-powered machines. However, the stone for the temple was cut by hand. In fact, the entire building was produced by hand. The columns for the temple were actually in equal pieces and stacked up to build the columns. In conclusion, the Temple of Apollo at Delphi is one of many examples of ancient Greek architecture that has influenced the buildings of the modern world. The Lincoln Memorial is also just a mere example of the hundreds of buildings that are based on the architecture of ancient Greece. But of course, how could a people so great not carry on?

The Temple of Apollo at Delphi (left). The top of the Lincoln Memorial (right). Ancient Greek Architecture Comparison Table

The Temple of Apollo at Delphi (left). The Lincoln Memorial (right).
 * Buildings to be Compared || Temple of Apollo at Delphi || Lincoln Memorial ||
 * Location || Delphi, Greece || Washington, D.C. ||
 * Year Built || 330 B.C. (Rebuilt for the Third Time) || 1922 ||
 * Type of Columns || Doric || Doric ||
 * Materials Used to Build the Columns || Porous Stone and Limestone || Marble and Limestone ||
 * Purpose of the Building || To Worship the God Apollo || As a Tribute to President Abraham Lincoln ||