Teaching Perspective with Greek and Roman Architecture- Podcast #32

(Updated June 2024)

It’s time for our conversation (recorded in 2018) about Greek and Roman architecture! Sometimes we forget what an art form architecture is, so it’s good to focus on it at times. Join us as we answer the questions:

What other cultures influenced Greek and Roman architecture?
How has Greek and Roman architecture influenced present-day architecture?
What is perspective and how do I teach it?
Is Architecture really art?
What other professions/industries include art?

Related Episodes

This episode is related to the post about Archaic Greek Art (800-500 BCE), where we covered some of the historical timeline for this region. If you haven’t read/listened to that one, you might enjoy it first!
There’s two other posts that cover art history as well- For a big-picture look at art history and a handy (free) time chart of art history, see:
- Podcast #13: Art History- How to Go from Confused to Confident (a 10-minute big picture overview of art history and the free time chart of art history)
- Podcast #14: Why and How to Study Art History (reasons to study art history and an explanation of the free time-chart of art history- plus a collection of great paintings from each period)
We also talked about adding perspective (depth) to art in these posts/podcasts:
- 3 Easy Ways to Add Depth to Drawings (Perspective)– Podcast #34
- 4 More Secrets to Adding Depth to Your Art (Perspective)– Podcast #35

What We Talked About

In this episode, we addressed the Egyptian roots of Greek and Roman architecture.
The Parthenon in Greece (memory hint: there’s an “r” in ‘Parthenon,’ and it’s rectangular!) and the Pantheon in Rome (memory hint: There’s no ‘r’ in ‘Pantheon’ and the building looks rectangular from the front, but is actually mostly a big dome).
Did you know that ancient statues were painted bright colors?
Since we’ll be drawing the Parthenon using linear perspective in our local classroom, we discussed linear perspective and some of the other ways of creating depth (The Methods of Perspective) in a two-dimensional drawing.
- Later, we did two posts/episodes about the 7 Easy Ways to Add Depth to Drawings Part 1 and Part 2
We talked about cover design and later Julie did end up publishing her own book: Anyone Can Teach Art: How to Confidently Teach Art in Your Classical Homeschool
Finally, we spent some time chatting about the interesting way art merges with other disciplines in subjects like architecture. I hope my students come away from our lesson on drawing the Parthenon using linear perspective with an appreciation of what an art architecture really is!

The Art Lesson for Greek and Roman Architecture

Perspective Drawing & Classical Architecture- C1W5 Lesson Plan

Wanna Go Deeper?

Here’s a list of some of the most famous works of Architecture for you to explore! The dates listed are experts’ best guesses as to when construction began. (I compiled this list with plans to have a longer post about these someday! I’ll link to it here when I get it written!)

Prehistoric and Ancient Architecture
- Europe: Stonehenge (c3100BC), Tumulus of Bougon (c4700BC)
- Africa: The Pyramids of Giza (c3100BC)
- China: The Great Wall of China (c600BC)
- Americas: Ziggurats of Teotihuacan (c400BC), El Castillo in Chichen Itza (c700sAD), Tikal Temple in Guatemala (c700sAD), Machu Picchu in Peru (c1400sAD), Sacsayhuaman in Peru (1400sAD, s in Mesa VerdeCliff Dwellings (c1190sAD)
Classical
- Greek: Parthenon (c432 BC), Temple of Zeus (c460BC), Temple of Artemis (c430 BC)
- Roman: The Colosseum (69AD), Pantheon (c126AD), Roman Aqueducts (300sBC)
Middle East
- Byzantine: St. Mark’s Basilica- Venice829, Hagia Sofia532
- The Ancient city of Petra in Jordan (400sAD)
- Ishtar Gate to Babylon (500sBC)
- Islamic: “Mosque of the Prophet” in Medina (622AD), Dome of the Rock, Dome of the Rock, Taj Mahal: (1650s), the Alhambra (1300sAD), The Friday Mosque, Esfahan (700sAD)
Medieval
- Romanesque: Lessay Abbey in Normandy (c1000AD)
- Gothic: Milan Cathedral (c1386AD), Notre-Dame Cathedral (1163)
Renaissance: Sistine Chapel (1470s), St. Peter’s Basilica (1506)
Baroque: St-Gervais-et-St-Protais in France (1494), Church of Saint Ignatius of Loyola in Italy, (1626)
- Rococo: Sanssouci Palace in Germany (1745), Catherine Palace in Russia (1744)
Neoclassical: White House in the United States, Brandenburg Gate in Berlin
Romantic: Eiffel Tower, Paris (some people place this in the Early Modern period), Edinburgh Castle, Edinburgh (Scotland)
Modernist: Empire State Building (Art Deco, 1930), Sydney Opera House (Expressionist, 1959), Palácio do Planalto (1958), Fallingwater by Frank Lloyd Wright (1935)
Postmodern and Contemporary: Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao (Biscay), Spain (1997), One World Trade Center is the main building of the rebuilt World Trade Center (2006), Beijing National Stadium (2004)

Cool Quotes About Greek and Roman Architecture

When exploring the world of classical art and architecture with your students, it’s fascinating to delve into the words of those who have captured its essence so beautifully. Here are some inspiring quotes that bring the study of architecture to life:

“Besides Roman law, perhaps Rome’s most valuable contributions were in the areas of architecture and engineering. Roman builders not only developed the arch, vault, and dome but pioneered the creative use of concrete. These innovations proved revolutionary, allowing Romans for the first time to cover immense interior spaces without inner supports.” – Carol Strickland, The Annotated Mona Lisa
- Carol Strickland’s insights remind us of the profound impact Roman architecture had on engineering and design. Their innovations weren’t just technical feats but transformative elements that redefined how spaces could be created and experienced. It’s a powerful example to inspire your students to appreciate the lasting influence of ancient ingenuity on modern architecture.
“Architects intended the brilliant white marble Parthenon to be the ultimate expression of Athens’ grandeur. … The Parthenon’s perfection was due to barely perceptible departures from straight lines. Columns curve slightly inward and the entablature and stepped platform are barely arched. These “refinements,” as they were called, bent straight lines to give the illusion of upward thrust and solid support for the central mass.” – Carol Strickland, The Annotated Mona Lisa
- Strickland’s description of the Parthenon highlights the meticulous craftsmanship behind its enduring beauty. This serves as a wonderful example to show your students how even the slightest architectural details can significantly enhance the overall impact and longevity of a structure.
“The ancient Romans built their greatest masterpieces of architecture, their amphitheaters, for wild beasts to fight in.” – Voltaire
- Think about this: the Romans’ grand structures weren’t just feats of engineering, but stages for the dramatic and often brutal spectacles of their time. It’s a stark reminder of how architecture can reflect the values and priorities of a society.
“Rome is the city of echoes, the city of illusions, and the city of yearning.” – Giotto di Bondone, (Renaissance painter- check out our Giotto blog post!)
- Imagine walking through the ancient streets of Rome with your students, feeling the weight of history and the whispers of the past. Giotto’s words remind us that every stone and column has a story to tell, filled with dreams and aspirations.
“Greek architecture is the flowering of geometry.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
- Geometry isn’t just for math class! Emerson highlights how the Greeks used geometric principles to create harmony and beauty in their structures. It’s a perfect example of how different subjects can beautifully intersect in a classical education.

Cool Quotes About Architecture

How about some quotes about architecture in general now:

“We shape our buildings: thereafter they shape us.” – Winston Churchill
- This quote is a wonderful conversation starter about the influence of our environment. Discuss with your students how the buildings we create not only serve functional purposes but also impact our behavior and culture.
“I call architecture frozen music.” – Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
- Goethe’s poetic comparison invites us to see architecture not just as physical structures but as art forms that speak to our senses and emotions, much like music does. It’s a lovely way to connect the visual and auditory arts in your lessons.
“Architecture is inhabited sculpture.” – Constantin Brancusi
- Brancusi’s words encourage us to view buildings as living art. They’re not just places to live and work but are sculpted spaces that we move through and interact with daily. It’s a great prompt to inspire your students to think creatively about the spaces around them.

These quotes are not just about buildings; they’re about the stories, the geometry, and the art that shapes our world. Integrating them into your lessons can spark curiosity and a deeper appreciation for the interconnectedness of art, history, and culture.