Corinthian Order Callimachus is credited with inventing the
Corinthian order, which Roman architects erected into one of the
Classical orders. The Corinthian order is one of the three classical orders of ancient Greek and Roman architecture, alongside the
Doric and
Ionic orders. It is characterized by its ornate and decorative capital, featuring acanthus leaves and other botanical motifs. The Corinthian Order was often underutilized due to the popularity of the Doric and Ionic orders at the time. One of the earliest examples of the Corinthian order can be found in the
Temple of Apollo at Bassae, built in the mid-5th century BCE. The temple's frieze, which features a procession of figures, is considered one of the finest examples of ancient Greek sculpture. The temple's use of the Corinthian order demonstrates the increasing importance of decoration and ornamentation in ancient Greek architecture. The Corinthian order continued to be used in ancient Roman architecture, where it was often employed in public buildings such as temples, basilicas, and forums. One notable example is the
Temple of Mars Ultor in
Rome, built by the emperor Augustus in the 1st century BCE. The temple's intricate Corinthian capitals are considered some of the finest examples of Roman architecture.
Birth of the Corinthian style Chryselephantine sculptures Callimachus was known for his exceptional work in creating
chryselephantine sculptures. According to the ancient Greek writer
Pliny the Elder, Callimachus was the first to develop the technique of using ivory and gold in his sculptures. He created his chryselephantine sculptures by using a core of wood or other materials, which was then covered with thin sheets of ivory and gold leaf. This technique allowed him to create intricate and detailed sculptures with a lifelike appearance. Further evidence supporting Callimachus's use of the chryselephantine technique can be found in the surviving fragments of his work. The statue of Athena Parthenos was one of his most famous projects that was sculpted using this technique.
Temple of Athena Callimachus is credited with the sculptures of
Nikes on the frieze of the
Temple of Athena Nike ("Athena, Bringer of Victory") , by the
Propylaea of the
Acropolis of Athens. The small temple was commissioned by
Pericles shortly before his death in 429, and built
ca 427– 410. Pliny mentions his
Laconian Dancers. Six ecstatic
Maenads attributed to him exist in Roman copies. Callimachus was also part of a team of expert craftsmen including
Phidias, who together are credited for the construction of the
Athena Parthenos statue in
Athens. The statue was about 11.50 meters tall and made of ivory and gold, with details such as the goddess's sandals and cloak rendered in solid gold. Unfortunately, the statue was lost to history and only survives in descriptions and depictions from ancient sources. The clinging draperies of the above works has led to the original of the
Venus Genetrix type (whose draperies are similarly clinging) being also attributed to him. In the cella of the
Erechtheion hung an ingenious golden lamp called
asbestos lychnis invented by Callimachus, according to Pausanias'
Description of Greece: it needed to be refilled with oil only once a year as the
asbestos wick did not burn. Above it hung a bronze
palm branch which trapped any rising smoke. An inscription from
Aigai of the late 5th century BC may be attributed to some work of Callimachus and the time when
Archelaus invited artists to
Macedon. ==Ancient sources==