The Doric Order

Relate Architectural Terms to the Plan

  • Entablature
  • Cornice
  • Raking Sima
  • Raking Geison
  • Pediment
  • Geison
  • Frieze
  • Mutule
  • Guttae
  • Triglyph
  • Metope
  • Architrave
  • Taenia
  • Regula
  • Guttae
  • Column
  • Capital
  • Abacus
  • Echinus
  • Shaft
  • Stylobate
  • Stereobate

Entablature

The complex upper structure of the Order, supported by columns and consisting of an architrave, frieze, and pediment.

Cornice

The projecting, uppermost horizontal member of a classical entablature.

Raking Sima

The terracotta or stone gutter of atop a pediment, placed above the raking cornice. The raking sima is continuous, while other simas on the flanks of a building are provided with downspouts for rainwater, often in the form of lions’ heads.

Raking Geison

A molded projection that follows the slope of the pediment; also called the raking cornice.

Pediment

A low-pitched triangular gable crowning a façade, often containing sculpture. In the Parthenon, the east pediment contained sculptures representing the Birth of Athena and the west pediment contained sculptures representing the Contest between Athena and Poseidon.

Geison

A horizontal molded projection that runs the full perimeter of a Greek temple, also known as a corona or cornice.

Frieze

The middle division of an entablature, between the cornice and the architrave. The Doric frieze is a band subdivided by triglyphs and metopes.

Mutule

A projecting rectangular block or bracket under the cornice, centered above the triglpyh.

Guttae

A series of small ornaments in the shape of truncated cones in a Doric entablature.

Triglyph

The characteristic ornamental panel in a Doric frieze, consisting of a vertical raised block composed of three vertical bands separated by indented flutes or channels.

Metope

Panels arranged between triglyphs located in a Doric frieze, either plain or decorated with sculptural reliefs.

Architrave or Epistyle

The lowest element of a classical entablature (upper structure) that rests directly on the abaci of supporting columns. Also called the Epistyle.

Taenia

The projecting fillet or band at the top of a Doric architrave, separating it from the top of the frieze.

Regula

A band below the taenia and above the guttae in a Doric architrave.

Guttae

A series of small ornaments in the shape of truncated cones in a Doric entablature.

Column

An upright masonry element comprised of a base, shaft, and capital (except in the case of the Greek Doric Order, which has no base.) Columns arranged in rows form a colonnade. The space between each column is called the intercolumniation.

Capital

The upper part or head of a column, set over the shaft. Each architectural order has a distinctive capital; the Doric consists of a plain abacus set above an echinus.

Abacus

The slab at the top of a capital, crowning the column and supporting the entablature. The Doric abacus is a simple square block.

Echinus

A molding below the abacus of a Greek Doric capital.

Shaft

The body of a column between the capital and the base.

Stylobate

The topmost pavement step of a structure of three steps on which a colonnade is placed. The stylobate rests on the stereobate.

Stereobate

The continuous stone base located below the stylobate.