Culture and Architecture: Pre-Greeks and Now

John Lautner would argue that the purpose of architecture is to “Improve human life. To create timeless, free, joyous, spaces for all activities in life...” (Lautner). Others may add that architecture is a product of the culture that it was designed for, and that architects seek to design spaces for the times and people who will use them (“Architecture Reflects Culture”). One may see this philosophy of architecture within the pre-Greek civilization (Minoans, Mycenaeans, and Athenians) which effortlessly displays the connection between a society’s culture and its buildings. These civilizations created the foundation of classical architecture which has dominated the western world for centuries and continues to influence modern architecture today. Therefore, the purpose of this essay is to explore how the architecture of the ancient Greeks reflects the culture of their civilization, and how they compare with modern governmental buildings in Washington D.C.

Palace of Knossos

Much of what we know about the Minoans is speculated since the civilization was discovered just over 100 years ago through the unearthing of the Palace of Knossos (Hatch). This palace is thought to be a sprawling architectural complexity; it spans nearly 6 acres and contains up to 1300 rooms connected by a complex drainage system, narrow corridors, and elaborate underground passages (Insalaco).

By analyzing the palace’s unique layout, archeologist and architects have been able to better interpret the function of Knossos, and ultimately the culture of the Minoans. For example, some believe that most Minoans actually lived in Knossos instead of having private dwellings due to the variety of spaces that intertwine with each other, the numerous storerooms found, and the presence of water and sewage systems within Knossos (Insalaco and “History of Knossos”). This theory makes the palace seem more like a multi-use urban complex where everyone was allowed to fulfill their daily functions in one spot. However, the relationship between the palace and the power structure of the civilization it is not clear. If anyone was allowed access into the palace, could the Minoans be a somewhat egalitarian society? Or could the solidarity of the palace show the exertion of a localized control on materials and on the surrounding towns? (Cartwright, “Minoan Civilization”). Hopefully, further archeological work may help us better answer these questions and understand the political structure of the Minoan world.

Lion Gate

Many Minoan palaces also lacked obvious fortifications, which some propose is the clearest difference between Mycenaean and Minoan architecture (Bohl). The lion gate, marking the main entrance to the citadel of Mycenae is a great example of Mycenaean bulwark architecture. This gate was constructed using cyclopean masonry which is defined as huge unworked boulders that are roughly fitted together with no clay or mortar between them (Bohl). Atop the three by three-meter doorway is an eighteen-ton, three-meter, triangular stone with two lions and a column between them (Cartwright, “Mycenae”).

The presence of this massive fortification surrounding an acropolis suggests that the Mycenaeans had a less peaceful co-existence with other communities in comparison to the Minoans (Insalaco). The need to use cyclopean masonry reveals how the Mycenaeans were mindful of displaying their physical strength and power to foreigners (Bohl). Having lions in the arch of the gate has also been deduced to be a Mycenaean symbol of power to both subjects and foreigners. Ultimately, the interpretation of Mycenaeans being militaristic, preoccupied with displaying power, and a powerhouse of ancient Greece agree with Homer’s portrayal of the Mycenaeans in the Iliad (“The Bronze Age” and Homer and Stanely Lombardo).

The Parthenon

The theme of displaying power in Mycenaean civilization is only enhanced during the Athenian age, as seen through the architecture of the Parthenon. This temple was originally built to house a massive statue of the goddess Athena (Bury and Russell 367-369) and sits on the Athenian acropolis where a Mycenaean palace one stood (“The Parthenon”). The Parthenon is also known for its simple geometric shape that follows the golden ratio and its iconic fluting columns (most likely inspired by Minoan columns) that slightly taper towards the top to compensate for the effect in which columns with straight lines appear to be slender in their middles (Dimitrova).

The sheer size of this temple along with its unprecedented precise geometry set the Parthenon apart from all other temples in the age of the Athenians. In fact, historians believe that the Parthenon sought to out-shine all other temples of the time (Sakoulas). This theory shows how the Athenian citizens were a civilization that was proud of the historical magnitude of their ideas and sought to display their intellectual and financial superiority. We may also argue that the perfect proportions of the Parthenon and its intricate architectural elements represent the Greek’s belief of Athens as an intellectually superior society. By applying and understanding concepts such as attention to detail and a mathematically explained harmony in the natural world, Athenians concluded that their advanced knowledge set their civilization apart from the barbarians/rest of the world (Sakoulas).  

Having this temple, which was accessible to most Athenians (“The Parthenon: Religion, Art, and Politics”) in a place where a Mycenaean palace once stood also symbolizes the Athenian transition into a more democratic society. In fact, democracy was the essence of Athenian thinking and was at center stage while the Parthenon was being built, as seen by the sculptures of common people engraved within the walls of the Parthenon (Sakoulas).

            When we see the Lincoln Memorial, it’s no surprise that a building commemorated to someone who fought to create a more egalitarian society, mimics the structure of the Parthenon (“Lincoln Memorial”).  This temple-like memorial was constructed out of marble, and the exterior is surrounded with thirty-six tapering fluted columns, representing the thirty-six states in the Union at the time of Lincoln’s death. The interior of the memorial is also divided into three chambers, with the central chamber housing a nineteen-foot statue of Lincoln (“Lincoln Memorial”).

Lincoln Memorial

The similarities between this building and the Parthenon are obvious; both buildings have tapering columns, follow the golden ratio, and have commemorative statue in middle. Even Henry Bacon, the architect of the memorial, accredited the Parthenon for his inspiration (“Lincoln Memorial”). All in all, the creation of the building represents the free and democratic society that Lincoln and the United States have worked so hard to build.

However, the architecture of the memorial also has multiple similarities with Minoan and Mycenaean buildings. For example, the Lincoln Memorial replicates the theme of transitioning space seen in Minoan architecture through its three chambers that serve different functions and softly gradate into each other. The Mycenaean theme of displaying power is also seen through the simple act of having a Greek temple design that many thought was far too ostentatious for a man of Lincoln’s humble character (Thomas).  

There are also large differences between the architecture of this memorial and that of the ancient Greeks. Archeological evidence shows that many pre-Greek buildings were colorful, yet the memorial and other governmental buildings designed after Greek architecture are almost exclusively white (Insalaco and Haynes). The limestone used to create the memorial was also sourced from a variety of places whereas the Parthenon was made from stone found near the Athens area. Finally, the roof of the Parthenon is triangular shaped, yet the Lincoln Memorial is rectangular. Did Bacon know about color in Athenian temples? Is there a symbol behind the location of the limestone for both the Parthenon and the Memorial? And what causes the change of roof structure? We may not know the answer to these questions, yet we may infer that the architecture of the Lincoln Memorial was undoubtedly influenced by the culture and architecture of the Athenians along with the Minoans and Mycenaeans.

To conclude, it is evident that the creation of buildings reflects the culture and needs of its people, whether it is for protection or religious reasons. We may also argue that the needs of a civilization change as a function of chancing cultural customs, attitudes, and beliefs. For example, the Minoan’s multi-use urban complex show the practicality of their civilization, whereas the complexity of Athenian temples portrays their desire to display their knowledge and superiority to foreigners. Even in our modern world, we see how culture and architecture go hand in hand; shopping malls are created to satisfy out consumerism culture, apartments are built in cities to aid the increasing number of people that desire an urban lifestyle, and more schools are built to allow humanity to continue its pursuit for knowledge. Hopefully, thousands of years from now, the remnants of our modern buildings will help others understand what human life was like in the twenty first century, just how we currently use ruins of the Minoans, Mycenaeans, and Athenians to evaluate the culture of their civilizations.

Works Cited

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