What is "pseudoperipteral"

a. (context architecture English) Falsely or imperfectly peripteral.

adj. having columniation completely circling an area of the structure [syn: peristylar]

In classical architecture, a pseudoperipteral temple is one with free standing columns in the front ( colonnaded portico) whereas the columns along the sides are engaged in the peripheral walls of the naos or cella. The form is found in Greek temples, especially in the Hellenistic period, but in Roman temples a pseudoperipteral form became usual, where there were columns behind the portico at all. Typically there is a portico in front with free-standing columns, and engaged columns along the other three sides of the walls.

The temple of Olympian Zeus at Agrigento was a famous Greek example of this style where also the facade was presenting itself with engaged columns.

A pseudoperipteral building with a portico at each end is called amphiprostyle. Examples of this style include the small Temple of Athena Nike and Temple of Venus and Roma.

Pseudoperipteral buildings appear similar to peripteral buildings with free-standing columns surrounding the cella as a peristyle.