dorisch

Dorisch, or the Doric order, is one of the three classical orders of ancient Greek architecture, alongside Ionic and Corinthian. It is the oldest and most straightforward of the orders, valued for its sturdy, monumental presence. The Doric style is associated with mainland Greece and the early Greek city-states, and it later spread to Greek colonies and Roman architecture.

The key architectural features of the Doric order are its column and entablature. Columns are fluted and rest directly on a stylobate without a base, giving them a heavy, grounded look. They typically have a relatively short height-to-diameter ratio, contributing to a squat, powerful silhouette. The capital is simple, consisting of a rounded echinus topped by a square abacus. The entablature above the columns includes a plain architrave, a frieze that in early Doric temples is divided into triglyphs and metopes, and a relatively thick cornice, sometimes with mutules.

Proportions and rhythm are central to the Doric aesthetic. Temples built in the Doric mode commonly employ a peristyle of columns surrounding a central cella, with a strong emphasis on horizontal lines and a straightforward, ascetic ornamentation. The Doric order contrasts with the more slender Ionic order (which uses scroll-like capitals) and the highly ornate Corinthian order (featuring a acanthus-leaf capital).

Notable examples include temples such as the Heraion at Olympia and the Parthenon on the Acropolis of Athens. The Doric order influenced Roman architecture and experienced revivals during the Renaissance and Neoclassicism, where it remained a symbol of severity and classical restraint.