Interpretations of Classical Architecture

As far as I can tell, there are two main impulses in western architecture. The first is classical, rational, and universal, while the other is gothic, romantic, and local.
At different times in history, people have valued the ideas that one of these two style types represent.
Here's a summary of major architectural eras in history.
Greeks/Romans (Classic)
Middle Ages (Gothic)
Renaissance (Classic)
Romanticism (Gothic)
Modernism (Classic)
Eclecticism (Gothic)
Right now, I'm talking about the classical impulse. Classical architecture has been seen by architectural thinkers of the past as representative of an ideal, pure, and universal beauty. The Greeks and Romans didn't just throw a pillar here and a pediment there - their temples were built with careful attention to mathematical principles of proportion. The idea that beauty was not something objective and fleeting, but was real and rational, was a strong idea. Other ideas associated with classicism are openness, calmness, social exchange, and the human's triumph over the natural world. The beauty seen in a Greek or Roman temple is not unlike the beauty someone really good at math sees in a successful proof, or a baseball fan sees in a well executed double play.
In addition, in America, classical architecture was connected to our pride in our democracy. Architecture has always had an element of propaganda in it, and it makes sense that the founders of America would want their grand public buildings to resemble the temples of history's other great democracy. In such an uncertain time, when no one was sure how long this whole 'democracy' thing was going to last, it's not suprising that people wanted buildings that looked like they would last thousands of years, that gave them a sense of security and confidence and historical back-up.
The fact that Greek revival, symbolic of democracy and equality, would become the chosen style of slave plantations in the south is, of course, ironic.
Another funny thing: you know how I was talking about the purity and simplicity that is associated with Classicism? Turns out, all those perfectly white temples were actually painted with bright colors originally. Funny how what we think the classical era was is more important then what it really was.
Next up: a discussion of the three classical styles and how to identify them. Then we're moving on to Gothic. I promise.

:-)

AV