Earlier, I promised you that we'd stop and examine the columns that grace this beautiful temple. That time has come! Why don't you all circle around this one here so we can all get a better look at it.

The columns used in the temple's construction are known as Ionic columns. This means they are fluted, or have shallow channels that run the height of the shaft, they have prominent scrolled capitals on their tops, and graceful bases at the ground level. They are associated with Greek architecture like the Temple. Each column here in the temple consists of 12 cylindrical blocks of marble that were raised into place with pulleys and placed on top of one another to form a column. It was hard work, but I'm sure you'll agree that it was worth it!

The temples 127 columns are arranged thusly: a double row of twenty-one along the sides, three rows of eight columns on the principle façade, two rows of nine columns at the rear, and the remainder filling the pronaos and opisthodomos (the front and back porches, respectively). Thirty-six of these columns are sculpted in relief.