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Why Did the Greeks Use Entasis While Building Monuments?

The Greeks used entasis in their buildings to correct optical illusions. Entasis is Greek for tension or swelling and refers to a convex curve incorporated into upright structures like columns and spires, according to Encyclopaedia Brittanica. Does this Spark an idea?

  1. Optical Illusion

    • Without entasis, a column does not appear straight. In a massive building, straight columns give an impression of weakness. The Greeks used entasis in Doric columns.

    Concave Appearance

    • A straight column in a large building appears concave in the middle, with thicker ends. Entasis adds extra dimension to the center in order to create the impression that the column is straight from top to bottom, according to GuidetoColumns.com.

    Parthenon

    • Although the use of entasis predates the fifth century BC, the Parthenon is considered to be the eptiome of Greek architecture, incorporating entasis and other design techniques to create one of the most famous buildings in Greece, according to Jeffrey Hurwit, scholar of ancient Greek art.

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