Crepidoma

In classical Greek architecture, crepidoma (Ancient Greek: κρηπίδωμα) is the foundation of one or more teps on which the superstructure of a building is erected[1][2]. Usually the crepidoma has three levels[3]: 41 [4]: 65,216 , especially in Doric temples[5]. However, exceptions are common: For example, the Heraion at Olympia features only two steps[4]: 64 , and the Olympeion at Agrigento, Sicily has four[4]: 90 .

Each level of crepidoma typically decreases in size incrementally going upwards, forming a series of steps along all or some sides of the building[citation needed]. The crepidoma rests on the euthynteria (Ancient Greek: ἡ εὐθυντηρία) or foundation[3]: 41 , which historically was constructed of locally available stone for the sake of economy[citation needed].

The crepidoma of the Tetrapylon at Palmyra, Syria

The topmost level of the crepidoma is called the stylobate (Ancient Greek: ὁ στῡλοβᾰ́της) and it is the platform for the columns (Ancient Greek: οἵ στῦλοι - styloi)[2][6]: 111 [4]: 221 . The lower levels of the crepidoma are called the stereobates[4]: 221 . The step-like arrangement of the crepidoma may extend around all four sides of a structure like a temple, for example, on the Parthenon. On some temples, the steps extend only across the front façade, or they may wrap around the sides for a short distance, a detail that is called a return, as seen at the Sanctuary of Despoina at Lycosoura.

It is common for the hidden portions of each level of the stereobate to be of a lower grade of material than the exposed elements of the steps and the stylobate[citation needed]; each higher level of the crepidoma typically covers the clamps used to hold the stones of the lower level together[citation needed]. The lower margins of each level of the crepidoma blocks are often cut back in a series of two or three steps to create shadow lines; this decorative technique is termed a reveal[citation needed].

References

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  1. ^ Smith, William; Wayte, William; Marindin, G. D., eds. (1890). "Columna (p 490)". A Dictionary of Greek and Roman Antiquities. Vol. 1. Albemarie St.: John Murray.
  2. ^ a b "crepido". The Oxford Dictionary of Architecture. Oxford University Press. 2021. Retrieved 2014-11-15.
  3. ^ a b Robertson, D. S. (1929). Handbook of Greek and Roman Architecture. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
  4. ^ a b c d e Anderson, William J.; Spiers, R. Phené; Dinsmoor, William Bell (1927). The Architecture of Ancient Greece. London: B. T. Batsford Ltd.
  5. ^ Hornblower, Simon; Spawforth, Antony; Eidinow, Esther (2012). "Temple (p 1438 - 1439)". The Oxford Classical Dictionary (4th ed.).
  6. ^ Kjellberg, Ernst; Säflund, Gösta (1970). Greek and Roman Art 3000 B.C. to A.D. 550. Translated by Fraser, Peter (Apollo ed.). New York: Thomas Y. Crowell Company.
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