Greek Columns and Arrogance

Jefferson Memorial Columns

I don’t know if you’ve heard, but some political candidate apparently gave some sort of speech last night. He gave it in front of a portico with Greek columns, which was roundly scoffed in some corners as “arrogant,” or “presumptuous,” as if said candidate were erecting a temple in his own honor.

Without expressing an opinion one way or the other on any candidate, I’d just like to point out that this is the kind of high-minded political discourse found in those email forwards your crank uncle sends you. Greek columns are only evocative of a temple? Really? Not, say… the White House? I’m pretty sure that when a presidential candidate tries to get voters to imagine him in the White House, it’s called “campaigning,” not “presumption.”

In the spirit of mocking the silliness of our political posturing over common architectural features, I present a small gallery of some of the best examples of Greek columns around DC.  Might make for a good walk around this weekend when the rain stops. And please share your favorite DC Greek column photos in the comments.

   
   

Tiffany Baxendell Bridge is an Internet enthusiast and an incurable smartass. When not heckling the neighborhood political scene on Twitter, she can be found goofing off with her ukulele, Bollywood dancing, or obsessing about cult TV. She is That Woman With the Baby In the Bar.

Tiffany lives in Brookland with her husband Tom, son Charlie, and two high-maintenance cats. Read why Tiffany loves DC.

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2 thoughts on “Greek Columns and Arrogance

  1. Not just Greek actually. The only true Greek temple is the Lincoln memorial (the Doric order). The Jefferson is based on Ionic and a lot of these use Corinthian (the floral) or composite (ionic + corinthian and variations thereof). :)