Crepidoma

In classical Greek architecture, crepidoma (Ancient Greek: κρηπίδωμα) is the foundation of one or more steps on which the superstructure of a building is erected^[1][2]. Usually the crepidoma has three levels^{[3]: 41 [4]: 65,216}, especially in Doric temples^[5]. However, exceptions are common: For example, the Heraion at Olympia features only two steps^[4]: 64, and the Olympeion at Agrigento, Sicily has four^[4]: 90.

Each level of crepidoma typically decreases in size incrementally going upwards, forming a series of steps along all or some sides of the building^{[citation needed]}. The crepidoma rests on the euthynteria (Ancient Greek: ἡ εὐθυντηρία) or foundation^[3]: 41, which historically was constructed of locally available stone for the sake of economy^{[citation needed]}.

The crepidoma of the Tetrapylon at Palmyra, Syria

The topmost level of the crepidoma is called the stylobate (Ancient Greek: ὁ στῡλοβᾰ́της) and it is the platform for the columns (Ancient Greek: οἵ στῦλοι - styloi)^{[2][6]: 111 [4]: 221}. The lower levels of the crepidoma are called the stereobates^[4]: 221. The step-like arrangement of the crepidoma may extend around all four sides of a structure like a temple, for example, on the Parthenon. On some temples, the steps extend only across the front façade, or they may wrap around the sides for a short distance, a detail that is called a return, as seen at the Sanctuary of Despoina at Lycosoura.

It is common for the hidden portions of each level of the stereobate to be of a lower grade of material than the exposed elements of the steps and the stylobate^{[citation needed]}; each higher level of the crepidoma typically covers the clamps used to hold the stones of the lower level together^{[citation needed]}. The lower margins of each level of the crepidoma blocks are often cut back in a series of two or three steps to create shadow lines; this decorative technique is termed a reveal^{[citation needed]}.