{{Short description|Feature in classical Greek architecture}} {{More citations needed|date=December 2007}}
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In classical Greek architecture, '''crepidoma''' ({{langx|grc|κρηπίδωμα}}) is the foundation of one or more steps on which the superstructure of a building is erected{{r|dogara}}{{r|ofda}}. Usually the crepidoma has three levels{{r|robertson|p=41}}{{r|dinsmoor|p=65,216}}, especially in Doric temples{{r|ofc}}. However, exceptions are common: For example, the Heraion at Olympia features only two steps{{r|dinsmoor|p=64}}, and the Olympeion at Agrigento, Sicily has four{{r|dinsmoor|p=90}}.
Each level of crepidoma typically decreases in size incrementally going upwards, forming a series of steps along all or some sides of the building{{citation needed|reason=Robertson does not mention this, though it's obvious from illustrations he uses.|date=November 2024}}. The crepidoma rests on the euthynteria ({{langx|grc|ἡ εὐθυντηρία}}) or foundation{{r|robertson|p=41}}, which historically was constructed of locally available stone for the sake of economy{{citation needed|reason=Robertson says nothing about the sourcing of material used.|date=November 2024}}.
[[File:Palmyra Tétrapylon 02.jpg|thumb|The crepidoma of the Tetrapylon at Palmyra, Syria]]
The topmost level of the crepidoma is called the stylobate ({{langx|grc|ὁ στῡλοβᾰ́της}}) and it is the platform for the columns ({{langx|grc|οἵ στῦλοι}} - {{Transliteration|grc|styloi}}){{r|ofda}}{{r|saflund_et_al|p=111}}{{r|dinsmoor|p=221}}. The lower levels of the crepidoma are called the stereobates{{r|dinsmoor|p=221}}. The step-like arrangement of the crepidoma may extend around all four sides of a structure like a temple, for example, on the Parthenon. On some temples, the steps extend only across the front façade, or they may wrap around the sides for a short distance, a detail that is called a return, as seen at the Sanctuary of Despoina at Lycosoura.
It is common for the hidden portions of each level of the stereobate to be of a lower grade of material than the exposed elements of the steps and the stylobate{{citation needed|reason=Obviously hidden parts would often be of lower grade, just like in two-skin ashlar walls would have it. But, it's not obvious for the general reader.|date=November 2024}}; each higher level of the crepidoma typically covers the clamps used to hold the stones of the lower level together{{citation needed|reason=Is it really so? Clamps were used, but not always, right?|date=November 2024}}. The lower margins of each level of the crepidoma blocks are often cut back in a series of two or three steps to create shadow lines; this decorative technique is termed a reveal{{citation needed|reason=Neither common knowledge nor obvious.|date=November 2024}}.
== References == <references>
<ref name="dinsmoor"> {{cite book | first1 = William J. | first2 = R. Phené | first3 = William Bell | last1 = Anderson | last2 = Spiers | last3 = Dinsmoor | location = London | publisher = B. T. Batsford Ltd. | title = The Architecture of Ancient Greece | year = 1927 }} </ref> <ref name="dogara"> {{cite encyclopedia | editor1-first = William | editor1-last = Smith | editor2-first = William | editor2-last = Wayte | editor3-first = G. D. | editor3-last = Marindin | encyclopedia = A Dictionary of Greek and Roman Antiquities | location = Albemarie St. | publisher = John Murray | title = Columna (p 490) | volume = 1 | year = 1890 }} </ref> <ref name="ofc"> {{cite encyclopedia | edition = 4th | encyclopedia = The Oxford Classical Dictionary | first1 = Simon | first2 = Antony | first3 = Esther | last1 = Hornblower | last2 = Spawforth | last3 = Eidinow | title = Temple (p 1438 - 1439) | year = 2012 }} </ref> <ref name="ofda"> {{cite encyclopedia | access-date = 2014-11-15 | encyclopedia = The Oxford Dictionary of Architecture | publisher = Oxford University Press | title = crepido | url = https://www.oxfordreference.com/view/10.1093/acref/9780191918742.001.0001/acref-9780191918742-e-1236 | year = 2021 }} </ref> <ref name="robertson"> {{cite book | first = D. S. | last = Robertson | location = Cambridge | publisher = Cambridge University Press | title = Handbook of Greek and Roman Architecture | year = 1929 }} </ref> <ref name="saflund_et_al"> {{cite book | edition = Apollo | first1 = Ernst | first2 = Gösta | last1 = Kjellberg | last2 = Säflund | location = New York | publisher = Thomas Y. Crowell Company | title = Greek and Roman Art 3000 B.C. to A.D. 550 | translator-first = Peter | translator-last = Fraser | year = 1970 }} </ref>
</references>
== External links == {{commons category-inline}}
Category:Architectural elements Category:Ancient Greek architecture