Supervisors info:
Χρύσανθος Κανελλόπουλος, Αναπληρωτής Καθηγητής Κλασικής Αρχαιολογίας ΕΚΠΑ, επιβλέπων
καθηγητής
Δημήτριος Πλάντζος Καθηγητής Κλασικής Αρχαιολογίας ΕΚΠΑ
Στυλιανός Κατάκης, Επίκουρος Καθηγητής Κλασικής Αρχαιολογίας ΕΚΠΑ
Summary:
The current master thesis aims at the examination of the votive columns in Greece to draw conclusions about the architectural forms they took and to investigate their morphological relevance to the monumental architecture.
In the first chapter, it is attempted to define the votive columns in order to establish their role and their importance and to distinguish them from the columns of corresponding configuration, such as the tombstones. The following sections emphasizes the possible impact of the votive columns in the pottery painting of the 6th and 5th B.C. An overview of the free-standing columns with bearing figures of animals and mythological creatures, such as the Sphinxes, in various types of vessels and in the Panathenaic amphorae is carried out. Next to that, the main chapters of the thesis focus on the morphological analysis of the votive columns.
It was deemed necessary to categorize the votive columns based on the morphological shape of their capital, as this is the visually strongest feature of the ancient Greek column. The capitals are basically the members that provide the necessary information for the determination of the votive function of the column, while their study demonstrates their architectural evolution through the years.
Hence, the votive columns were classified into Ionic, Doric and Aeolic columns. Simultaneously, the votive columns with round capital and smooth shafts designed to support votives without separate capitals were examined. These types of columns do not fall into the rhythmic system of ancient Greek architecture, as they were not integrated into the monumental buildings of the time.
In the case of the Ionic columns, a distinction is made between the columns that supported Sphinxes, and in smaller columns which supported different types of votive offerings. This classification is due to the different typological features developed by their capitals.
The majority of votive columns was found in the sanctuaries of the Cyclades and the Athenian Acropolis. This spatial concentration of votive columns allows better monitoring of the evolution of monuments.
The dating of the columns ranges from the late 7th c. BC until the middle of the 5th c. BC, a period during in which the votive columns became rare. The study of each type of votive columns is based on their location, as well as their possible relationship with specific architectural workshops. In addition, the chronological sequence of the columns per category is kept as far as possible.
