EVIDENCE FOR WEST GREEK INFLUENCE ON MAINLAND GREEK ROOF CONSTRUCTION AND THE CREATION OF THE TRUSS IN THE ARCHAIC PERIOD

Abstract

T HE DETERMINATION OF REGIONAL STYLES is a recognized part of Greek architectural studies. 1 Such discussions have focused on ground plans, use of refinements, or ways in which architects solved specific problems common to all buildings.2 This study introduces roof design as another means of recognizing regional building practices, as expressed in the form and function of the geison. Because of the geison's position at the top of the entablature and the edge of the roof geison design reflects both the technical and the decorative aspects of the building and provides positive evidence concerning roof construction. Since wood from ancient Greek buildings is not commonly preserved, the woodwork of the ceiling and roof must be reconstructed from indirect evidence, such as the cuttings in stone members of the entablature and tympanum. In particular, the rafter beams generally came into contact with the lateral geison3 (Fig. 1). The most thorough study of this subject is Trevor Hodge's book, The Woodwork of Greek Roofs (1960). On the basis of his own survey of extant geison blocks, Hodge recognized two basic forms, the flattopped and the sloping-topped geison, each with several subtypes. But while Hodge acknowledged the diversity of forms, he maintained that the distribution of types of geison blocks revealed no chronological or geographical pattern.4 The present study reexamines preserved geison forms from the Greek mainland and Sicily and brings new observations to bear on two specific areas of Greek architecture: the identification of a West Greek style of roof design and the role of Sicilian architects in the creation of a tie-beam truss.