The temples represent the houses of the gods: this is where we made offerings to appease or thank (food, valuables ...). There was usually an altar before each of these buildings: they were used for sacrifices of oxen or bulls. We killed up to a hundred times: it was called a massacre ("Hecaton" meaning in Greek "cent").
General

The construction of a Greek temple met specific criteria. Friezes could represent several things: it depends on the god or event celebrated in this place. There were several types of temples, which had different names depending on their number of columns, layout ...

Wingless temples (side columns):

Temple in antis. There is only one party, the nave.

 

Prostyle temple.

     

Temple amphiprostyle.

The temple peripteral (with columns on the side):

Peristyle temple.

It has an odd number of columns on the side and an even number facade. The interior can also be composed of several parts (in the case of the Parthenon of Athens).


Styles

It existed six architectural styles, three were Roman-inspired (the Tuscan orders, Roman Doric and composite). Those of interest here are Greek:

The Doric

First style chronologically, it was used long time, until the Hellenistic period. It is quite simple in appearance. The columns of Doric temples had no basis and they had sixteen to twenty channels (vertical "lines" of the column): their edges were sharp. They have 16 spokes (horizontal divisions). One can easily recognize the style with the tent.

Marquee Doric kind.

The Ionic style

This style, little used in antiquity, however, was taken for modern monuments (such as the National Archaeological Museum of Athens). The columns had 24 splines, 18 spokes and had bases. Their edges were flat.

Marquee ionic type.

The Corinthian

Often used by the Roman civilization, this style is particularly noticeable in the form of his tent. A column 24 has grooves 18 and radiation, but not basic.

Marquee Corinthian.

Some definitions

Acanthus: a Corinthian capital represents the leaves of this plant.

Parapet: base placed on the front and to support small statuettes.

Adyton: underground room of the temple.

Cella: another name for the shrine.

Column: see the "different parts of a temple."

Degree: see the "different parts of a temple."

Entablature see the "different parts of a temple."

Frieze of a temple decorative element. See the "different parts of a temple."

Hexastyle: refers to a temple with six columns facade.

Naos main part of a temple.

Opisthodomos: area behind the shrine.

Orientation: the entrance of a temple to the east, out west.

Peristyle colonnade surrounding a building, a court ...

Pronaos: party in front of the shrine.

Tetrastyle: refers to a temple with four columns facade.

Volute element shown in a marquee Ionic style.