Editing Ancient Greek architecture (section)

==== Ionic order ====
The [[Ionic order]] is recognized by its [[volute]]d capital, in which a curved ''echinus'' of similar shape to that of the Doric order, but decorated with stylised ornament, is surmounted by a horizontal band that scrolls under to either side, forming spirals or ''volutes'' similar to those of the [[nautilus]] shell or ram's horn. In plan, the capital is rectangular. It is designed to be viewed frontally but the capitals at the corners of buildings are modified with an additional scroll so as to appear regular on two adjoining faces. In the Hellenistic period, four-fronted Ionic capitals became common.<ref name=BF8>{{harvnb|Fletcher|1996|pp=125–129}}.</ref>

{{multiple image
|align        = right
|direction    = horizontal
|header_align = center
|header       = The Ionic Order<br /> The Erechtheion, Acropolis, Athens: a building of asymmetrical plan, for the display of offerings to Athena
|image1       = Erechtheum- Acropolis of Athens.jpg
|width1       = 265
|alt1         =
|caption1     =
|image2       = Erechteion - chapiteau.jpg
|width2       = 210
|alt2         =
|caption2     = Corner capital with a diagonal [[volute]], showing also details of the fluting separated by fillets.
|image3       = Erechtheion - frise.jpg
|width3       = 205
|alt3         =
|caption3     = Frieze of stylised alternating palms and reeds, and a cornice decorated with "egg and dart" moulding.
}}

Like the Doric order, the Ionic order retains signs of having its origins in wooden architecture. The horizontal spread of a flat timber plate across the top of a column is a common device in wooden construction, giving a thin upright a wider area on which to bear the lintel, while at the same time reinforcing the load-bearing strength of the lintel itself. Likewise, the columns always have bases, a necessity in wooden architecture to spread the load and protect the base of a comparatively thin upright.<ref name="BF8" /> The columns are fluted with narrow, shallow flutes that do not meet at a sharp edge but have a flat band or ''fillet'' between them. The usual number of flutes is twenty-four but there may be as many as forty-four. The base has two convex mouldings called ''torus'', and from the late Hellenic period stood on a square plinth similar to the ''abacus''.<ref name="BF8" />

The architrave of the Ionic order is sometimes undecorated, but more often rises in three outwardly-stepped bands like overlapping timber planks. The frieze, which runs in a continuous band, is separated from the other members by rows of small projecting blocks. They are referred to as [[dentil]]s, meaning "teeth", but their origin is clearly in narrow wooden slats which supported the roof of a timber structure.<ref name="BF8" /> The Ionic order is altogether lighter in appearance than the Doric, with the columns, including base and capital, having a 9:1 ratio with the diameter, while the whole entablature was also much narrower and less heavy than the Doric entablature. There was some variation in the distribution of decoration. Formalised bands of motifs such as alternating forms known as [[egg-and-dart]] were a feature of the Ionic entablatures, along with the bands of dentils. The external frieze often contained a continuous band of figurative sculpture or ornament, but this was not always the case. Sometimes a decorative frieze occurred around the upper part of the ''naos'' rather than on the exterior of the building. These Ionic-style friezes around the ''naos'' are sometimes found on Doric buildings, notably the Parthenon. Some temples, like the Temple of Artemis at Ephesus, had friezes of figures around the lower drum of each column, separated from the fluted section by a bold moulding.<ref name="BF8" />

[[Caryatid]]s, draped female figures used as supporting members to carry the entablature, were a feature of the Ionic order, occurring at several buildings including the [[Siphnian Treasury]] at Delphi in 525 BC and at the [[Erechtheion]], about 410 BC.<ref>{{harvnb|Boardman|Dorig|Fuchs|Hirmer|1967|pp=45, 49}}.</ref>