opisthodomos

[op-is-thod-uh-muhs, -mos]

noun

plural

opisthodomoses 

1. Also called posticum. a small room in the cella of a classical temple, as for a treasury.

2. epinaos.

Word History and Origins

Origin of opisthodomos¹

1690–1700; < Greek opisthódomos, equivalent to opistho- opistho- + dómos house

Example Sentences

The Parthenon, designed some 2,500 years ago by the sculptor Phidias, was the quintessence of Hellenic architecture: perfect lines, tall Doric columns along the sides and friezes in high and low relief that convey a Panathenaic procession, an ancient Greek festival to celebrate the city’s patron goddess, Athena, as well as four Ionic columns supporting the roof of the opisthodomos, the back room of the temple.

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Opisthodomos, op-is-thod′ō-mos, n. a rear-chamber or treasury at the back of the cella in some temples.

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There was in large temples a porch of approach, the pronaos, and another behind, the opisthodomos.

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The temple consisted of a central cella with a pronaos and opisthodomos, and was surrounded by a Doric colonnade, having six columns at the ends and fifteen columns at the sides.

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The pronaos and opisthodomos were each bounded by two Doric columns between antae, surmounted by metopes.

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