You may recall from high school history that our nation's founding ideas were derived from Greek concepts of democracy adapted to empire by the Romans. Their early republican government included a Senate of noblemen with Tribunes who originally represented the common people. Hence, it was a government by representation.

 Builders here and in Europe modeled their buildings after public structures of Greece and Rome. During the 18th Century, the century of our revolution (and France's), the remains of Pompeii and Herculaneum were uncovered. These were the ancient cities buried by the famous Mt. Vesuvious during Roman times in Italy.

Their excavation rekindled interest in all things classical at a time when the "western world" seethed against tyranny and monarchy.

Note the classical columns.

The Ancients shaped their columns to curve inward as they ascended in order to emphasize height and avoid the "squatting" effect of straight columns. They also mounted them in sections, held together with a central dowel to prevent earthquake damage.

If a quake did occur and the sections got out of line, all they had to do was turn them back into their places. Ingenious.

Below is a closer view of the triangular pediment and its freize of relief sculpture.

 Laura Anschicks

 College of DuPage