Opisthodomos is an architectural term that refers to the rear porch or chamber of an ancient Greek temple, particularly in the Doric order. This space is typically located behind the cella, which is the main inner chamber of the temple that housed the cult statue of the deity. The opisthodomos served various purposes, depending on the specific temple and its cultural context. In some cases, it functioned as a treasury, storing valuable offerings and sacred objects associated with the temple's deity. In other instances, it was used as a meeting place for priests or as a repository for archival records. Architecturally, the opisthodomos often mirrored the pronaos, which is the front porch of the temple, creating a symmetrical layout. It was usually enclosed by walls on three sides and featured a row of columns on the side facing the rear of the cella. The opisthodomos was an integral part of the temple's design, contributing to the overall balance and harmony of the structure while also serving practical and religious functions within the sacred space.
ancient Greek temple, Doric order, cella, treasury, sacred objects
Opisthodomos is an architectural feature that has been an integral part of Greek and Roman temples. It is a term that refers to the back chamber or room of the temple, which was typically used for storage or treasury purposes. The opisthodomos was usually located along the western side of the building, between the portico and the pronaos. It had no windows, and was lit by a single door that opened into the pronaos. The opisthodomos was also used for the safekeeping of sacred objects, and was sometimes used to store the cult statues. The opisthodomos was a crucial part of the temple design, as it allowed for the safekeeping of valuable items and sacred objects. The opisthodomos was often decorated with elaborate sculptures and murals depicting stories related to Greek mythology. The columns that supported the pediment were typically made of marble, while the pediment itself was carved from stone. The opisthodomos was not only used in Greek and Roman temples, but it was also used in other cultures and religions. In Hinduism, for example, the opisthodomos was used as a space for meditation and prayer. In Buddhism, the opisthodomos was used as a space for the storage of religious texts and artifacts. In modern times, the opisthodomos has been used as a term to describe any space that is used for the storage of valuable items, either in an architectural sense or within a cultural lexicon. The term has evolved to encompass any space that is used for the storage of items of value, be they physical or non-physical in nature.
Greek, Roman, temple, storage, treasury, sacred objects, sculptures, murals, mythology, columns, pediment, Hinduism, Buddhism, modern times
The Opisthodomos was an element of Greek architecture, often seen as a rear portico of a temple, but sometimes appearing as a free-standing structure. Examples can be found in many important Greek temple complexes, including the Parthenon in Athens, the Temple of Apollo at Delphi, and the Temple of Poseidon at Sounion. The rear portico of the Parthenon, for example, was built as a columned porch with a low roof and two rows of four columns. This area was used as a vestibule for both public and private ceremonies and was sometimes used as a treasury. The Greek word opisthodomos derives from the combination of the Greek words 'opisthen' (back) and 'domos' (house).
Structure, Portico, Columned, Vestibule, Treasury.
The word Opisthodomos is a noun derived from the Greek term 'opisthodomos', which has been used since Ancient Greece to refer to the back room of a temple. As a result, Opisthodomos is most commonly associated with religious contexts, and is sometimes used to refer to a room in a courthouse or treasury. Synonyms for the term include 'sanctuary', 'holy place', and 'sacred area'. Antonyms for the term are words like 'secular' and 'profane'. Cognates for the term include 'sanctum', 'vestibule', and 'fane'. Variants of the term include 'opisthodome' and 'opisthodom'.
Etymology Morphology Greek Temple Noun Religious Contexts Synonym Antonym Cognates Variants Sanctum Vestibule Fane
Opisthodomos is a term derived from two Greek words: ‘opisthen’ meaning ‘behind’, and ‘domos’ meaning ‘house’. It is associated with the rear part of a temple, and also the back wall in Classical Greek architecture. In its historical development, ‘opisthodomos’ generally referred to the part of the temple that housed a temple treasury, and by extension, to the treasury itself. The architectural design of an ‘opisthodomos’ is characterized by a narrow portico with a large entrance, the walls of which would have been adorned with elaborate sculptures. The term has since evolved to encompass any space that is used for the storage of valuable items, either in an architectural sense or within a cultural lexicon. As is common in morphology, the term has been subject to a degree of flexibility in meaning, and can be used to refer to the innermost part of any building or structure. This flexibility has extended the term to include the idea of a ‘back room’, a space used for deals or negotiations that are of private and often clandestine nature. The term therefore encompasses many meanings, but all retain the same underlying concept of a space used for the storage of items of value, be they physical or non-physical in nature.
Etymology, Morphology, Semantics, Pragmatics, Lexicon
The term Opisthodomos is derived from the Greek language and is used to refer to a porch or portico located at the rear of a temple. This area is traditionally used for storing treasures or for conducting rituals. The word Opisthodomos has several equivalents in other languages such as Πραγματεία (in Ancient Greek), Spina (in Latin), Migdal (in Hebrew), Dvārdalāta (in Sanskrit), and Naosu (in Japanese). Other languages have other words for the same concept, such as Al ḥāmmah (in Arabic), Chorovode (in Slavic), Ǐlbər (in Central Asian), Saya (in Burmese), Kiyose (in Japanese) and Talamban (in Tagalog). Furthermore, words that are loosely translated as Opisthodomos are Kyō (in Japanese), Narthex (in Latin), and Udumbara (in Pali).
Opisthodomos, porch portico back temple storage ritual treasure prangmai spina latin migdal hebrew dvardalata sanskrit naosu japanese al ḥāmmah arabic chorovode slavic Ǐlbər central asian saya burmese kiyose japanese talamban tagalog kyō narthex latin udu
An Opisthodomos is a form of architectural structure typically associated with ancient Greek temples. It is located at the rear of the cella, a large chamber used for religious ceremonies. This space is usually found in the interior of the building and is commonly used as a room for storing sacred objects or for the display of votive offerings. The opisthodomos is typically defined by two or more columns, which support a pediment. This pediment is often decorated with relief sculptures depicting gods and goddesses, as well as scenes of heroic battles or other important events. The columns are typically made of marble, while the pediment is carved from stone. The walls of the opisthodomos are usually decorated with murals, which depict stories related to Greek mythology.
Opisthodomos, Temple, Architecture, Ancient Greece.
The Opisthodomos is an architectural feature found in classical Greek and Roman temples. It refers to the back chamber or room of the temple, which was typically used for storage or treasury purposes. It was usually located along the western side of the building, between the portico and the pronaos. It had no windows, and was lit by a single door that opened into the pronaos. It was also used for the safekeeping of sacred objects, and was sometimes used to store the cult statues.
Opisthodomos, Greek temple, Roman temple, sacred objects, cult statues.
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