The earth, the temple, and the gods; Greek sacred architecture

WhenThe Earth, the Temple, and the Gods first appeared in 1962, it was hailed by the critics for it erudition, historical imagination and boldness. Subsequently, this comprehensive study of Greek temples and site-planning has been widely accepted as a landmark of architectural history, for it offers an inspired and arresting insight into nature and function of Greek sacred architecture. Vincent Scully, one of America's most brilliant and articulate scholars, understands the temples as physical embodiment of the gods in landscapesthat had for the Greeks divine attributes and sacred connotations. He explores the meanings inherent in the calculated interaction between man-made sculptural forces and the natural landscape, and he relates this interaction to our understanding of Greek culture from the pre-Greek Aegean to the Hellenistic period. Years of research and travel were devoted toThe Earth, the Temple, and the Gods. Scores of sites were restudied on the spot, including many lesser-known sanctuaries throughout the Hellenic world. The study includes reconstruction drawings, plans, and maps along with its richly illustrated, detailed discussions of major sites.… (more)

User reviews

LibraryThing member JaneAnneShaw

Necessary volume for any student of ancient Greek religion ~ phenomenology of landscape and sites as well as architecture of temples, Etc.

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LibraryThing member bohannon

Frankly, this book was a slog for me to read, and took quite a while to get through.

That said, the material it covers, and the view it propounds (in all of its stilted language and mind-numbing detail) is fascinating. The core thesis that the natural surroundings of a Greek temple are not just he

setting, or background that the temple plays against, but is in many ways more important than the structures themselves is fascinating, and so foreign to how I am used to thinking of architecture in general.

Beyond that, I appreciate the idea that so much of the sacred and civic architecture of the West is rooted in ideology and theology that is ultimately completely different and foreign to the purposes it is made to serve.

lastly, as an aside, I kept thinking that the book is ripe for adaption into a VR program. Frankly, the text could be left more or less as is -- but being able to "see" and interact with the landscapes, ruins (and perhaps even digital recreations of as-built conditions) would make the material much, much more accessible than the dated, small, black and white photos frequently referenced in the appendix.

A tough read but worth it.

(2023 Review 8)

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