Temple of Segesta

This Doric temple is an impressive example of ancient Greek architecture and dates back to the 5th century BC. It was built by the Elymians.

It is one of the rare examples of Doric temples that never collapsed.

A classical Doric temple has characteristic architectural elements : columns with simple, undecorated capitals, a rectangular floor plan and Doric capitals.

The columns of the Temple of Segesta exhibit a subtle curvature in their shafts, known as entasis . This architectural element is designed to create an optical illusion and make the columns look straight, even if in reality they are slightly curved. The human eye is sensitive to optical distortion, especially when looking at long, straight structures such as columns . When a column is made perfectly straight along its entire length, it can visually appear hollow in the center. Entasis corrects this optical effect.

The temple has six columns on the front and fourteen on the sides (9 meters high), which is a rare and unusual proportion in Greek architecture. Normally, Greek temples have an even number of columns on the front and an odd number of columns on the sides . For example, a common design is six columns on the front and thirteen columns on the sides, as in the Temple of Hera at Olympia.

A striking feature of the Temple of Segesta is that it was never fully completed . Although construction was started, the usual inner cell (naos) characteristic of Greek temples is missing . The columns also lack the characteristic grooves (flutes) that are often found on Doric columns. Perhaps the number of columns was also not complete, which could explain the unusual ratio. The temple also never had a roof like most Greek temples. Its slightly different structure from the canonical Greek temples, the absence of any internal structure (cella, adyton etc.) and the fact that it is located in a non-Greek city have sparked a heated debate among scholars . Some think this is a Greek type product for a Greek sect.

What also speaks in favor of an unfinished temple is the following (see this video link) . Most architectural elements still show elements that are only present during manufacture and transport . For example, many of the stylobates at the bottom of the columns still have ridges ("bugnes") to which the clamps for the winches were attached . These would be removed once the work is completely finished. The columns themselves would also not be as smooth as they are today. This is because the columns are still covered with a protective sheath that protects them during transport. The markings are also still present from where the ribs would later have to be carved into the columns.

The Elymians were soon Hellenized: they adopted the Greek way of life . As a result, Segesta was constantly at odds with Selinunte , probably because it tried to establish a port on the Tyrrhenian Sea. It is possible that the temple was never completed due to lack of funds that previously flowed into the wars.

Willem Vandenameele