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Synopsis

Ancient Greek architecture is often celebrated for its beauty and harmony, but behind the aesthetics lies a lot of applications of physics. In this talk, I will explore how Greek builders intuitively employed principles of statics, wave physics, optics, and thermal science in their temples and theatres. I will examine the load-bearing capacity of marble columns, the remarkable acoustics of open-air theatres such as Epidaurus, and the subtle optical corrections that make the Parthenon appear geometrically perfect. Using modern formulas, data, and recent research, I will show how ancient architects anticipated concepts of stress distribution, sound diffraction, and visual perception. After two thousand years, Greek architecture continues to inspire both engineers and physicists, reminding us that art and science were never separate in the ancient world.