Monopteros
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| East of the Parthenon lay the foundations of a small monopteros attributed by the first excavators of the Acropolis to the Temple of Rome and the Roman emperor Octavian Augustus. It is thought to be the sole Roman temple on the Acropolis and the only Athenian temple dedicated to the cult of the Emperor Augustus. The temple is securely dated after 27 B.C., when Octavian was proclaimed Augustus – most probably between 19 and 17 B.C. (Text credit: Inscription at the archaeological site.) |
The terms monopteros, monopteral and monopteron are used to describe a building with a single row of columns (or pteron) on all sides. The building is typically circular and lacks walls, so the colonnade supports the roof.
During ancient Greek and Roman times, monopteros frequently served as temples (referred to as monopteron temples) without inner chambers or cella.
This style of building later appeared in baroque and neoclassical architecture, sometimes featured in European gardens in the form of follies, eyecatchers, pavilions or gazebos.
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