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{{Short description|Posts or pillars flanking a doorway}} |
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[[File:Athenian Treasury antae.jpg|thumb|The [[Athenian Treasury]] in [[Delphi]] with two antae framing a set of two columns.]] |
[[File:Athenian Treasury antae.jpg|thumb|The [[Athenian Treasury]] in [[Delphi]] with two antae framing a set of two columns.]] |
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An '''anta''' (pl. antæ |
An '''anta''' (pl. '''antæ''', '''antae''', or '''antas'''; [[Latin]], possibly from ''ante'', "before" or "in front of"), or sometimes '''parastas''' (pl. '''parastades'''), is a term in [[classical architecture]] describing the posts or pillars on either side of a [[door]]way or entrance of a [[Greek temple]] – the slightly projecting [[Pier (architecture)|pier]]s which terminate the side walls (of the [[cella|naos]]).{{sfn|Roth|1993|p={{page needed|date=March 2013}}}} |
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Antae are formed either by thickening the walls or by attaching a separate strip and can serve to reinforce [[brick]] walls, as in the [[Temple of Hera, Olympia|Heraeum of Olympia]] (c. 600 BCE).<ref>[https://global.britannica.com/technology/anta-architecture Encyclopædia Britannica, Anta entry]</ref> |
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Antae differ from the [[pilaster]], which is purely decorative, and does not have the structural support function of the anta. |
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==Anta== |
==Anta== |
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In contrast to columns or pillars, antae are directly connected with the walls of a temple. They owe their origin to the vertical posts of timber employed in the early, more primitive palaces or temples of Greece, as at [[Tiryns]] and in the [[Temple of Hera (Olympia)|Temple of Hera at Olympia]]. They were used as load-bearing structures to carry the roof timbers, as no reliance could be placed on walls built with unburnt brick or in [[rubble masonry]] with clay mortar. Later, they became more decorative as the materials used for wall construction became sufficient to support the structure.{{sfn|Chisholm|1911|p=88}} |
In contrast to columns or pillars, antae are directly connected with the walls of a temple. They owe their origin to the vertical posts of timber employed in the early, more primitive palaces or temples of Greece, as at [[Tiryns]] and in the [[Temple of Hera (Olympia)|Temple of Hera at Olympia]]. They were used as load-bearing structures to carry the roof timbers, as no reliance could be placed on walls built with unburnt brick or in [[rubble masonry]] with clay mortar. Later, they became more decorative as the materials used for wall construction became sufficient to support the structure.{{sfn|Chisholm|1911|p=88}} |
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When there are columns between antae, as in a porch facade, rather than a solid wall, the columns are said to be ''in antis'' |
When there are columns between antae, as in a porch facade, rather than a solid wall, the columns are said to be [[Temple_in_antis|''in antis'']].{{sfn|Chisholm|1911|p=88}} |
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==Anta capitals== |
==Anta capitals== |
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{{multiple image| align = right | direction = horizontal | header_align = left/right/center| footer = '''Left image''': Characteristic shape of the Doric anta capital.<br> '''Right image''': Doric anta capital at the [[ |
{{multiple image| align = right | direction = horizontal | header_align = left/right/center| footer = '''Left image''': Characteristic shape of the Doric anta capital.<br/> '''Right image''': Doric anta capital at the [[Athenian Treasury]] (circa 500 BCE).| footer_align = left | image1 =Doric anta characteristic shape.jpg| width1 = 145 | caption1 = | image2 =Doric anta Athenian Treasury.jpg| width2 = 190| caption2 = }} |
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{{main|Anta capital}} |
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The anta is generally crowned by a stone block designed to spread the load from superstructure ([[entablature]]) it supports, called an "anta capitals" when it is structural, or sometimes "[[pilaster]] capital" if it is only decorative as often during the Roman period. In order not to |
The anta is generally crowned by a stone block designed to spread the load from superstructure ([[entablature]]) it supports, called an "anta capitals" when it is structural, or sometimes "[[pilaster]] capital" if it is only decorative as often during the Roman period. In order not to protrude unduly from the wall, these anta capitals usually display a rather flat surface, so that the capital has more or less a brick-shaped structure overall. The anta capital can be more or less decorated depending on the artistic order it belongs to, with designs, at least in [[ancient Greek architecture]], often quite different from the design of the column capitals it stands next to. This difference disappeared with [[Ancient Roman architecture|Roman]] times, when anta or pilaster capitals have design very similar to those of the column capitals.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=WejuAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA214 A handbook of ornament, by Franz-Sales Meyer]</ref><ref>The Classical Language of Architecture by John Summerson, p.47 "Anta" entry [https://books.google.com/books?id=57aoJE26kQkC&pg=PA47]</ref> |
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===Doric anta capital=== |
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The Doric capital was designed in the continuity of the wall [[cornice]]. It is characterized by a broad neck, a beak molding and an [[abacus]]. Decoration is usually very sparse, except for the capitals displaying a transition with the Ionic order.<ref>Greek Architecture, Marquand, 1909 p.74 [http://www.survivorlibrary.com/library/greek_architecture-marquand_1909.pdf]</ref> |
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===Ionic anta capital=== |
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[[File:Sofa capital Erechteion.jpg|thumb|A characteristically rectangular [[Ionic order|Ionic]] anta [[capital (architecture)|capital]], with extensive bands of floral patterns in prolongation of adjoining [[frieze]]s at the [[Erechtheion]].]] |
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The Ionic anta capital is very different in that it is very rich in moldings. It remains however essentially brick-shaped. The Ionic anta capitals of the [[Erechtheion]] take the shape of very decorated brick-shaped capitals, with designs essentially in the continuity of wall cornices, with some additional horizontal moldings. |
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Some temples in [[Ionia]] tend to have a very different design of anta capital, flat at the fronts but with volutes on the side, giving them the shape of [[couch|sofas]], hence the name they sometimes take of "sofa capitals".<ref>Greek Architecture, Marquand, 1909 p.74-76 [http://www.survivorlibrary.com/library/greek_architecture-marquand_1909.pdf]</ref> In this case the sides of the capital broaden upward, in a shape reminiscent of a couch or [[Couch|sofa]].<ref>[http://www.samothrace.emory.edu/visualizing-the-sanctuary/entering-the-sanctuary/architectural-elements Architectural Elements, Emory University]</ref> These capital can also be described as pilaster capitals, which, strictly speaking, are normally decorative rather than structural components.<ref>"The New and Improved Practical Builder: Masonery, bricklaying, plastering" Peter Nicholson, Thomas Kelly, 1837, p.68 [https://books.google.fr/books?id=GXFOAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA68]</ref> |
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<gallery> |
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File:Didim RB9.jpg|thumb|Anta capital, [[Temple of Apollo (Didyma)|Didyma]]. |
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File:Anta capital from Miletus.jpg|thumb|Anta capital from [[Miletus]] (front view). |
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File:Temple of Apollo in Didyma The Front and Profile of a Capital of the Pilasters.jpg|Anta capital at the [[Didyma|Temple of Apollo in Didyma]], front and profile. 4th century BCE. |
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File:Pataliputra Palace capital by L A Waddell 1895.jpg|The [[Pataliputra capital]], a Hellenistic anta capital from [[India]] (3rd century BCE). |
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</gallery> |
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===Corinthian anta capital=== |
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{{multiple image| align = right | direction = horizontal | header_align = left/right/center| footer = '''Left image''': Greek Corinthian anta capital.<br> '''Middle image''': [[Corinthian order|Corinthian]] anta capital at the [[Niha Bekaa]] Roman Temple, 1st century AD.<br>'''Right image''': | footer_align = left | image1 =Greek Corinthian anta capital.jpg| width1 = 145 | caption1 = | image2 =Corinthian anta capital at the Niha Beeka Roman Temple.jpg| width2 = 143| caption2 = }} |
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Corinthian anta capital tend to be much closer to the designs of the columns, although often with a flattened composition: during the Greek period, [[Acanthus (ornament)|Acanthus leaves]] are crowned by a central motif, such as a [[palmette]], itself bracketed by volutes. This design was widely adopted in [[India]] for [[Indo-Corinthian capital]]s. |
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During the Greek period, anta capitals had designs different from those of colum capital, but during Roman and later times this difference disappeared and both column and anta capitals has the same types of designs.<ref>A handbook of ornament, by Franz-Sales Meyer [https://books.google.fr/books?id=WejuAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA214]</ref><ref>The Classical Language of Architecture by John Summerson, p.47 "Anta" entry [https://books.google.fr/books?id=57aoJE26kQkC&pg=PA47]</ref> At the same time, decorative pilaster designs multiplied during Roman times, so that many of the Corinthian anta capital designs are actually purely decorative pilaster designs. |
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==Distyle in antis== |
==Distyle in antis== |
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{{main|Distyle in antis}} |
{{main|Distyle in antis}} |
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Early Greek temples such as the 6th century [[Siphnian Treasury]] had antae on both side of the porch, framing a set of columns (a disposition named "[[distyle in antis]]", meaning "two columns in between antae"). |
Early Greek temples, the "distyle temples", such as the 6th century BCE [[Siphnian Treasury]] had antae on both side of the porch, framing a set of columns (a disposition named "[[distyle in antis]]", meaning "two columns in between antae"). "Antae temple" is an alternative term. |
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<gallery> |
<gallery> |
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File:Treasury of the Siphnians by Hansen.JPG|Early Greek temples such as the [[Siphnian Treasury]] had antae on both side of the porch, framing a set of columns. |
File:Treasury of the Siphnians by Hansen.JPG|Early Greek temples such as the [[Siphnian Treasury]] had antae on both side of the porch, framing a set of columns. |
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File:GR-delphi-schatzhaus-athen.jpg|The [[Athenian Treasury]] in [[Delphi]] is also a distyle in antis design. |
File:GR-delphi-schatzhaus-athen.jpg|The [[Athenian Treasury]] in [[Delphi]] is also a distyle in antis design. |
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</gallery> |
</gallery> |
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==See also== |
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*[[Distyle]] |
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==Notes== |
==Notes== |
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==References== |
==References== |
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*{{cite book |
*{{cite book | first=Leland M. | last=Roth | year=1993 | title=Understanding Architecture: Its Elements, History and Meaning | edition=First | publisher=Westview Press | location=Boulder, CO | isbn=0-06-430158-3 | url-access=registration | url=https://archive.org/details/understandingarc00roth }} |
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'''Attribution:''' |
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{{EB1911|wstitle=Antae|volume= |
{{EB1911|wstitle=Antae|volume=2|page=88}} |
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Anta (Architecture)}} |
{{DEFAULTSORT:Anta (Architecture)}} |
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Latest revision as of 04:31, 26 January 2024
An anta (pl. antæ, antae, or antas; Latin, possibly from ante, "before" or "in front of"), or sometimes parastas (pl. parastades), is a term in classical architecture describing the posts or pillars on either side of a doorway or entrance of a Greek temple – the slightly projecting piers which terminate the side walls (of the naos).[1] Antae are formed either by thickening the walls or by attaching a separate strip and can serve to reinforce brick walls, as in the Heraeum of Olympia (c. 600 BCE).[2]
Antae differ from the pilaster, which is purely decorative, and does not have the structural support function of the anta.
Anta[edit]
In contrast to columns or pillars, antae are directly connected with the walls of a temple. They owe their origin to the vertical posts of timber employed in the early, more primitive palaces or temples of Greece, as at Tiryns and in the Temple of Hera at Olympia. They were used as load-bearing structures to carry the roof timbers, as no reliance could be placed on walls built with unburnt brick or in rubble masonry with clay mortar. Later, they became more decorative as the materials used for wall construction became sufficient to support the structure.[3]
When there are columns between antae, as in a porch facade, rather than a solid wall, the columns are said to be in antis.[3]
Anta capitals[edit]
Left image: Characteristic shape of the Doric anta capital.
Right image: Doric anta capital at the Athenian Treasury (circa 500 BCE).
Right image: Doric anta capital at the Athenian Treasury (circa 500 BCE).
The anta is generally crowned by a stone block designed to spread the load from superstructure (entablature) it supports, called an "anta capitals" when it is structural, or sometimes "pilaster capital" if it is only decorative as often during the Roman period. In order not to protrude unduly from the wall, these anta capitals usually display a rather flat surface, so that the capital has more or less a brick-shaped structure overall. The anta capital can be more or less decorated depending on the artistic order it belongs to, with designs, at least in ancient Greek architecture, often quite different from the design of the column capitals it stands next to. This difference disappeared with Roman times, when anta or pilaster capitals have design very similar to those of the column capitals.[4][5]
Distyle in antis[edit]
Early Greek temples, the "distyle temples", such as the 6th century BCE Siphnian Treasury had antae on both side of the porch, framing a set of columns (a disposition named "distyle in antis", meaning "two columns in between antae"). "Antae temple" is an alternative term.
-
Early Greek temples such as the Siphnian Treasury had antae on both side of the porch, framing a set of columns. -
Front view of the Siphnian Treasury with framing antae. -
The Athenian Treasury in Delphi is also a distyle in antis design.
See also[edit]
Notes[edit]
- ^ Roth 1993, p. [page needed].
- ^ Encyclopædia Britannica, Anta entry
- ^ a b Chisholm 1911, p. 88.
- ^ A handbook of ornament, by Franz-Sales Meyer
- ^ The Classical Language of Architecture by John Summerson, p.47 "Anta" entry [1]
References[edit]
- Roth, Leland M. (1993). Understanding Architecture: Its Elements, History and Meaning (First ed.). Boulder, CO: Westview Press. ISBN 0-06-430158-3.
Attribution: This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Antae". Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 2 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 88.
