third, which deals with the
arrangements of temples and their variety of form, I showed the nature
and number of their classes, with the adjustments proper to each form
according to the usage of the Ionic order, one of the three which
exhibit the greatest delicacy of proportion in their symmetrical
measurements. In the present book I shall speak of the established rules
for the Doric and Corinthian orders, and shall explain their differences
and peculiarities.

CHAPTER I

THE ORIGINS OF THE THREE ORDERS, AND THE PROPORTIONS OF THE CORINTHIAN
CAPITAL

1. Corinthian columns are, excepting in their capitals, of the same
proportions in all respects as Ionic; but the height of their capitals
gives them proportionately a taller and more slender effect. This is
because the height of the Ionic capital is only one third of the
thickness of the column, while that of the Corinthian is the entire
thickness of the shaft. Hence, as two thirds are added in Corinthian
capitals, their tallness gives a more slender appearance to the columns
themselves.

2. The other members which are placed above the columns, are, for
Corinthian columns, composed either of the Doric proportions or
according to the Ionic usages; for the Corinthian order never had any
scheme peculiar to itself for its cornices or other ornaments, but may
have mutules in the coronae and guttae on the architraves according to
the triglyph system of the Doric style, or, according to Ionic
practices, it may be arranged with a frieze adorned with sculptures and
accompanied with dentils and coronae.

3. Thus a third architectural order, distinguished by its capital, was
produced out of the two other orders. To the forms of their columns are
due the names of the three orders, Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian, of
which the Doric was the first to arise, and in early times. For Dorus,
the son of Hellen and the nymph Phthia, was king of Achaea and all the
Peloponnesus, and he built a fane, which chanced to be of this order, in
the precinct of Juno at Argolis, a very ancient city, and subsequently
others of the same order in the other cities of Achaea, although the
rules of symmetry were not yet in existence.

4. Later, the Athenians, in obedience to oracles of the Delphic Apollo,
and with the general agreement of all Hellas, despatched thirteen
colonies at one time to Asia Minor, appointing leaders for each colony
and giving the command-in-chief to Ion, son of Xuthus and