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The bulge in the middle of ancient Greek columns, known as entasis, was designed to counteract the optical illusion of concavity that straight lines can create. When columns are perfectly straight, they can appear to taper inward, making them look less stable. The slight bulge helps to create a visual balance and enhances the overall aesthetic appeal of the structure, giving it a sense of strength and elegance. This design principle reflects the Greeks' deep understanding of proportion and beauty in architecture.

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1w ago

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Why did the Greek columns bulge in the middle?

In many cases, such as in the Parthenon the rows of columns would appear to be concave (an optical illusion) because of the fluting, or the lines, that run from the top to bottom of the columns. The Greeks knew this however, so they figued out how to build up the middle of the pillars to make them appear strait.


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