Abacus (architecture)
An abacus (from the Greek abax ( ἄβαξ ) tabletop and abakion, Latin abacus ) referred to in the architecture of antiquity a square plate, especially the square plate of the capital. The cover plate forms the upper end of the capital and thus of the entire column. On the abacus usually layered architrave.
In order Doric columns, the lateral edges of the abacus are perpendicular to the ground, he is planar and unarticulated.
In the Ionic and Corinthian, the abacus by groove and bar is easily profiled.
In the capital of the Corinthian order and the composite capital the sides of the abacus are curved concave. When Corinthian chapter is located in the center of each of the four sides of a flower or rosette, which Abakusblume.
The use of the abacus in antiquity and which they rule, while often occurs imitative architectural styles in the early Christian and Byzantine architecture, a fighter essay in his place. In the Middle Ages, the abacus can also be eliminated without replacement.
When protodorischen pillar of unorganized abacus replaced the entire capital. We call such a column also Abakussäule.
Doric columns with abacus in Paestum (Italy )