Just Columns

Columns. We’ve all seen them. In ancient ruins, modern buildings, and everything in between. They’re those tall, vertical things that seem to just… stand there. But have you really looked at them beyond their purpose? For thousands of years, columns have been a key part of architecture, not just providing support but also acting as a work of art in itself. From the Greeks and Romans to the modern world, columns have grown, evolved and, in doing so, quietly created history.

Most columns consist of three basic parts: the base, shaft, and capital. The base serves as the column’s foundation, distributing the load to the ground or floor below — though in some styles, especially older ones, this may be absent. The shaft is the long, upright section, which can be plain, fluted (grooved), or even twisted, depending on the architectural style. It may also taper slightly toward the top to create a sense of balance or elegance. The capital is the decorative topmost part, helping to spread the load of the structure above and often serving as a visual focal point. While ancient columns (Greek, Roman, or Egyptian) followed strict stylistic rules, columns in modern architecture vary widely in form and material, ranging from minimalist steel posts to sculptural concrete supports.

The first use of the column is said to be as a central support for small huts during the Bronze Age (3000-1000 BCE), more than 3000 years ago. Columns took on a more decorative state in Egyptian and Minoan civilisations as early as around 2000 BC. 

Egyptian papyriform columns are present in the famous Great Hypostyle Hall of Karnak, while Egyptian Lotus Bud columns are also often seen in temples or tombs to symbolise rebirth and purity.

While earlier societies utilised stone for its columns, the Minoans used entire tree trunks, typically inverted to inhibit regrowth, supported by a basic spherical capital and set in the stylobate (floor base). Minoan columns are distinctive due to their unique shafts in contrast to the more typical columns used in later Greek architecture. This form served as both beautiful ornaments to create expansive open areas, light wells, and a focal point for religious ceremonies and practical supports.

Greek architecture primarily relied on the post-and-beam system, where columns supported the weight of the structure. The earliest of the classical orders was the Doric, easily recognized by its sturdy, tapered columns, plain capital, and lack of a base. It was especially common in mainland Greece and the western colonies. The Temple of Hephaestus, built almost entirely of marble between 449 and 415 BCE, is the best-preserved example of Doric columns. The Ionic order, which originated in eastern Greece, featured columns with a base and capitals shaped like elegant scrolls, or volutes. On the mainland, Ionic elements were mostly used in smaller temples and interior spaces. The Heraion of Samos, a grand temple dedicated to the goddess Hera (designed by the architect Rhoikos around 570 to 560 BCE) is a major example of Ionic columns. Both Doric and Ionic styles can be seen in the architecture of the Acropolis in Athens: one of ancient Greece’s most iconic architectural accomplishments. 

Columns were not just structural; they matched the personality of the gods. Athena and Hephaestus had the strong, simple Doric style in their respective temples, perfect for gods more associated with efficiency rather than beauty. Hera’s temple used the more graceful Ionic order, reflecting her status and elegance. Even column styles were a form of divine branding.

During the Hellenistic period, designs became more ornate, with grander, more decorative structures often on a massive scale. The Corinthian order, with its slender, taller columns and intricately carved capitals adorned with floral and leafy motifs, gained popularity. Like Doric and Ionic, Corinthian columns had vertical fluting.

As Greek architecture evolved, it became less focused on religious buildings, with many grand structures serving secular purposes. The more decorative orders, especially Ionic and Corinthian, were widely adopted. 

Later, the Romans adapted all three Greek orders and introduced two more: the plain Tuscan and the Composite, which blended Ionic volutes with Corinthian floral elements. One of the final additions was the Solomonic column, known for its distinctive spiral or twisted shaft. Roman columns, unlike their Greek predecessors, were often used more for decoration than structural support. With the advancement of architectural techniques — especially the development of arches, vaults, and domes — the Romans no longer relied solely on columns to bear the weight of their buildings. In contrast, Greek columns were essential structural elements, forming the core support system of temples and public buildings through the post-and-beam method. While both cultures valued columns aesthetically, the Greeks used them primarily for function, whereas the Romans used them for decorative purposes.

In the later Middle Ages(1300-1500 AD), architectural focus shifted toward clustered columns and compound piers that rose continuously to support high vaults, which reduced the visual and structural prominence of the capital.

The medieval ages, however, saw a fall in the use of columns in architecture that lasted for several centuries. It was only with the arrival of the Renaissance that interest in classical columns reemerged, as architects began to revive and reinterpret ancient Greco-Roman styles. This Baroque style of architecture was heavily influenced by its Corinthian predecessor; both were highly decorated with elaborate capitals, however, unlike Greek columns, these did not have fluted surfaces. 

After World War Two, the emergence of the Brutalist style saw columns drastically change. Brutalist columns are defined by their massive, monolithic, and block-like forms with a strict geometric aesthetic and heavy use of raw concrete. Brutalist columns typically have rough, unfinished surfaces and lack both capitals and bases. While some are simple and cylindrical, others take on unconventional and strikingly unusual shapes.

So next time you walk past one of those tall, vertical things just standing there — take a second look. Throughout history, columns have evolved from essential structural elements to powerful architectural symbols. From the elegance of Greek columns to the decorative flair of Roman designs, and from their decline in the medieval period to their revival during the Renaissance, columns have continually adapted to the changing language of architecture. In modern styles like Brutalism, they take on bold, unconventional forms that reflect contemporary ideals. Whether holding up heavy stone roofs or simply adding to a building’s look, columns have remained a lasting part of architecture. They have evolved time and time again and will continue to do so long after this age has passed.

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Fun fact: The Parthenon’s Doric columns aren’t perfectly straight: they have a slight inward curve, known as entasis, to correct optical illusion and make them appear straight to the human eye.

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