GREEK INTERCOLUMNIATION The intercolumniation of a colonnade is the spacing apart of the columns, the distance given being that in the clear between them. The distances between the centers of the columns are invariably one diameter more than the intercolumniation or space between.
Doric Intercolumniation. The spacing of all Doric columns is determined by the location in the frieze of the triglyph and mutule, the column invariably coming beneath these ornaments. In the best Greek work the columns are so spaced that there is but one triglyph over the opening between them; and this arrangement is termed monotriglyphic intercolumniation. There are a few instances where the intercolumniation has been increased so that two triglyphs come in the space between the columns, when it is known as ditri glyphic intercolumniation. This usage in true Greek work is very rare, except in some such special instance as that shown in the Propykea at Athens (Fig. 88), where, in order to get the width neces sary for such an important entrance way, the two center columns are given this wide spacing. The Greeks, as has already been said, placed the triglyph at the very corner of the frieze; and, as the metope is invariably square, it then becomes impossible for the center of the triglyph to come over the center of the column in either elevation, as the placing of the latter in relation to and in plane with the face of the frieze above is a more important consideration. This causes the columns at the corner of the building to come closer to each other than anywhere else along the colonnade, and the effect itself is neither unpleasant nor very apparent, this extra strengthening of the corner of the building or the end of the colonnade seeming natural and to be demanded by the eye of the observer. By again referring to Fig. 88, the facade of the Propylæa at Athens forming a six-columned entrance portico, the usual methods of spacing the Greek Doric order is amply illustrated. The central space, the principal entrance to the Acropolis above, demanded a wider opening than that given by the monotri glyphic intercolumniation, therefore the builders very naturally in creased this center opening by making the spacing of the columns ditri glyphic. The two spaces on either side of this are laid out on the regular monotriglyphic system of intercolumniation, as will be readily seen; while the two outside spaces, coming at the corner of the build ing, require the closer placing of the columns, on account of the tri glyph in the frieze occurring at the angle.
This system of spacing is rather interestingly shown in Fig. 89, where it will be noticed that, with the exception of the Temple of Philip, an example of small size and comparative unimportance, all o f the other well-known buildings whose column spacing is there illustrated in plan, are shown to have monotriglyphic intercolumniation. 0 f course, using as close a spacing of heavy columns at a small scale as this requires, gives very little width between them; and in this excep tion (the Temple of Philip), even with ditriglyphic intercolumnia tion, there is still something less than seven feet clear opening; while, if the usual spacing had been employed, there would have been only about four feet, as shown in the small Temple of Apollo in the same illustration.
Ionic Intercolumniation. The intercolumniation of the Greek Ionic Order is shown in four well-known examples in Fig. 90, after the same fashion as in the illustration of Greek Ionic spacing. When relieved from the hampering restrictions of the mutule-triglyph spacing of the Doric order, we immediately find more divergence in . the relative placing of the columns, although, in the two examples shown from the Erechtheum—one of the North Porch, or Portico to the Temple of Minerva Polias, in which four columns were employed; and the other from the six-columned entrance to the east—we find at once the small est and the greatest distance between the columns, the former being spaced apart on centers eight modules or four diameters, leaving an intercolumniation of three diameters in the clear, while the latter are spaced six modules or three diameters on centers, with an intercolum niation of two diameters. In part this difference may be accounted for by the fact that the wider and fatter pedi ment of the latter exam ple requires more appar ent support, as undoubt edly would be true. As the Greeks had the good taste to avoid placing a column beneath the cen ter of a pediment—which would be unnatural where, as in this instance, an entrance door doorway comes on the center line of the pediment—they were compelled to in crease the number o f columns from four to six. Nevertheless, the North Porch (Plate XLIV), with its wider interco lumniation, remains a more pleasing example of proportionate spacing than the principal entrance portico on the same building.
Corinthian Intercolumniation. From the few examples of the use of the Corinthian Order left us by the Greeks, it would be injudici ous to deduce any general rule for their intercolumniation, inasmuch as each example is an individual solution of a special problem. In the Monument of Lysicrates, the spacing of six modules and six parts on centers was employed; but it must be remembered that this monu ment was circular in plan and the whole Order very small in scale, the first fact especially having a very important bearing on the intercolum niation of the column shafts; while their being engaged to the wall surface behind is also an important factor. In the Tower of the . Winds, the columns are used to support a small doorway pediment after a more modern taste, and this example is therefore quite worth less in this connection. In the circular Temple of Epidauros, we have another instance of the Greek use of this Order; but this also has a special set of attendant circumstances, the temple being round in plan, and the Corinthian order being used on the interior; while, although the columns are detached from the blank wall behind them, there is in reality only a very narrow separating ambulatory or passage way. In this instance the columns were spaced apart on centers nearly seven modules, with an intercolumniation of five modules or two and one-half diameters.