Meet Your Greek Columns

Steph Calvert

Atlanta, Georgia, US

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I took Latin in high school (nerd alert) and Art History in college; the first thing I thought when I read the latest Draw Along theme was a Greek columns illustration.

But what came first, the chicken or the egg? Did Romans or Greeks use columns first? I knew one of them sort of copied the other but for the life of me I couldn't remember who was the OG and who was the imposter.

Thank you internet! You reminded me that Greeks use columns in their architecture long before the Romans, and also that I have some library books due today.

One thing I NEVER forgot though, was one of the first things we were tested on in Art History all those years ago. When you have the types of Greek columns drilled into your heads as much as we did, you might still mutter Doric, Ionic, Corinthian under your breath as you walk around. People look at you like you're a little crazy.

They might be right.

(You might also remember bits and pieces of mnemonic devices you've come up with to remember little things no one else seems to need to know these days like Stonehenge is in Salisbury, England and Gothic Architecture is known for flying buttresses. I only know that last one because duh, butt jokes.)