Greek Temples and Columns 
(The Parthenon)
  Truly one of the most impressive aspects of Greece today are the remains of the glorious temples. To this day they are an inspiration to architects, designers, and dreamers the world over.
  Ionic styled temples evolved in Ionia on the eastern shore of the Aegean Sea, and Doric styled temples evolved on the western shore. 
  It is a common style to have the temple set on a natural hill, or acropolis.
   The Greek architects used these design orders for purely aesthetic effect, and for the first time in history, architects, not priests, directed building projects. 
   Greek designers strived to achieve perfect orderliness; the best example is the Parthenon in Athens, which was built in 447­438 BC .
   The Greek architect worked to endow every part with interest and life in the carving of its surface. The spiral of the Ionic volute, the curve of the Doric capital, the depth and breadth of the flutes were varied endlessly for effect. 
  After Alexander the Great conquered Egypt, Greek architecture became that of the rich Hellenic empire, evolving away from the limited  forms that had been used in the Periclean temple. 
  A new design order was added; the Corinthian, which was a variation of the Ionic.