Architecture+(India+v.+Greek)

toc Caroline Schumb & Rowyn van Miltenburg =Main points= Greece and India are actually very similar although they seem like very different cultures.
 * They have the same purposes
 * They used some of the same designs
 * They also used some of the same building materials
 * They both incorporated religion into some of their buildings
 * The buildings all helped Ancient India and Greece become sustainable civilization

=Greece=

Greece has been very influential in modern day architecture, it is seen often in architecture today. Many people will recognize some very famous Greek buildings with key architecture elements. Greece also used many materials that are still used today.

Columns


Columns are a very famous Greek architectural element. There are three types of columns: doric, ionic, and corinthian. Doric is more simple than the other columns. It has no base and is fluted. It has an abacus, a slap on the top of the column, it also has an echinus, which supports the abacus. The second type of column is the ionic column, this is more detailed than the doric. This column has a base, and is used more popularly throughout the Greek Islands. The last type of column is corinthian, this is the column with the most design. It was used later in ancient Greek history, in the Hellenistic period.

Materials
The Ancient Greeks knew that they had to make their buildings last for thousands of years. This is why they chose to build with stone. Not only is stone sturdy, but it also lasts for several millennia. This means that the Greeks didn't have to constantly replace stone and mine it. By using stone, they also weren't using wood and cutting down trees. Stone is also reusable so if they had decided they wanted to take down one building and construct another one, they could just reuse the stone.

Religion
Many people have heard of 'The Acropolis', and think that it is the only one of its kind, however this is just a type of building. When people say 'The Acropolis' they are most likely referring to the one in Athens, Greece. This one has a statue of the Greek goddess Athena in the middle, for she was the city's patron. In Greek acropolis means "city by edge". You can find acropolises all over Greece, the one in Athens just happens to be one of the most famous.

=India=

Columns
The ancient Indians, along with the ancient Greeks, used columns. It is questioned on how two great civilizations both used the same buildings techniques and if, although thousands of miles apart, the Greeks and Indians came into contact and shared some ideas. The Indian columns aren't quite as ornate as the Greek columns, but they work just as well. Some of the stupas carved right out of mountains are still around today because columns helped support the weight of the mountain above. Columns are an important building technique that worked so well that we still use them today.

Materials
The ancient Indians, like the ancient Greeks, used stone for most of their building. They wanted their buildings to last for thousands of years, but didn't always have the stone to construct them. This is why they started carving their temples out of the mountains. These temples were normally Buddhist temples. However, around the same time period, Hindu buildings were being constructed as well. The Hindu buildings were made of wood, and did not last long. That is why the temples carved out of mountains are still around today, while the temples made of wood are not.

Religion
The ancient Indians were a very religious people. They went from Hindu, to Buddhist, then back to Hindu. During the time when Buddhist was the main religion in India, a Mauryan emperor built a stupa at Sanchi to protect Buddha's relics. Around the same time, some Hindu buildings were being built. However, they were constructed of wood and did not last, unlike the sanchis that were carved right out of the mountains. Most of the temples built during this time period had the same layouts: Carved out of the mountains with columns in the front to support the rest of the mountain above, and a statue, usually of Buddha, in the back. = = = = =Sustainability= There are three aspects of a civilization that make it sustainable. These are social, environment, and economic. Both the ancient Indians and Greeks had architecture that made both of their civilizations sustainable.

Social
The buildings provided meeting places where people could socialize and share important information. Houses also provided places for people to live. The houses they had were made of mud brick which was far more advanced than the mud and straw huts they used to have.

Environment
By using stone, the ancient Indians didn't have to cut down precious trees. Stone also lasts for several millennia so they wouldn't have to frequently mine it. Plus, stone is reusable so if they decided they wanted to take down one building and put another in its' place, they could just use the same stone again.

Economic
The huge temples and buildings created cash flow and jobs for people. The need for materials and labor caused the economy to thrive.

Social
Architecture provided a place to live, socialize, and worship for the Greeks. The Parthenon was dedicated to Athena and created a place for people to worship her while the numerous amphitheaters provided amusement.

Environment
Greek buildings were made mostly of stone, which means that they didn't have to destroy trees. Plus, you can cut the stone once and it lasts for thousands of years. Wood however, would have to be replaced often.

Economic
The construction of the buildings, as well as things like bets being placed and deals being made, caused the economy to flourish.


 * || Greece || India ||
 * Religion || acropolis || stupa ||
 * Material || stone || stone ||
 * Columns || their original invention || they borrowed it ||

=Sources= Durant, Will. __The Life of Greece__. New York: Simon and Schuster, 1939.

Robinson, C.E. __Hellas__. Boston: Pantheon Books, 1955.

"Greece." __in2greece.com__. 10 April 2010. 15 May 2011. http://in2greece.com/

"study & research." metmuseum.org. 15 May 2010. http://www.metmuseum.org/