Columns often help to support a building or structure, but they can serve a decorative purpose as well. Architects and builders in ancient Rome and Greece had three specific styles of columns and capitals (the uppermost part of a column) that they chose to use.
This picture highlights the capital.
The first of these capital styles is called the Doric Order. Doric columns are often wide and sturdy, and their capitals are round, but mostly plain. The massiveness of Doric architecture can often give building a stable, but heavy, appearance.
The second style is known as the Ionic Order. Ionic columns were more slender and tapered than Doric columns, and their capitals were more decorative. Often, an Ionic capital will have decorations that look like two scrolls coming out from the top - these are called volutes.
The last style is known as the Corinthian Order. Corinthian columns are usually even thinner than Ionic or Doric columns, and their capitals are highly decorated, and often incorporate leaves, flowers, or other plants. The Corinthian was considered the most ornate of the capital styles.
Often, architects chose one order of columns and capitals for the whole building. However, there are still some structures, such as the Colosseum in Rome, that were built using all three. If you look closely at this photo, you can see that the first level uses Doric capitals, the second uses Ionic, and the third uses Corinthian.
What does all of this have to do with Burlington? Well, every day you see buildings that were highly influenced by this kind of architecture, and you probably never think twice.
For example, the Lambda Iota fraternity house on Pearl St. uses Doric columns and capitals.
And the First Congregational Church on South Winooski St. has Ionic capitals on its main level, and Corinthian capitals in its steeple!
It's true - much has changed since ancient times. But in many ways, we are still looking at the same things Romans and Greeks did over two thousands years ago.
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