Which two orders were added by the Romans?

Which two orders were added by the Romans?

• A. Doric and Ionic
• B. Corinthian and Ionic
• C. Tuscan and Composite
• D. Tuscan and Doric

Answer: (C)

The main idea here is recognizing which architectural orders were introduced by the Romans beyond the Greek ones. Before the Romans, the established orders were Greek: Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian. The Romans added two new orders to that system: Tuscan and Composite. The Tuscan order is a simplified version of Doric—plain base, unfluted shaft, and a straightforward capital—reflecting Roman preference for clarity and sturdiness. The Composite order is a fusion that blends Ionic volutes with Corinthian acanthus detailing, used for monumental structures in Roman architecture. So this pair is the only one that consists of two orders created by the Romans, rather than both being Greek origins. The other options mix Greek orders (and thus aren’t the two Roman additions).

The main idea here is recognizing which architectural orders were introduced by the Romans beyond the Greek ones. Before the Romans, the established orders were Greek: Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian. The Romans added two new orders to that system: Tuscan and Composite. The Tuscan order is a simplified version of Doric—plain base, unfluted shaft, and a straightforward capital—reflecting Roman preference for clarity and sturdiness. The Composite order is a fusion that blends Ionic volutes with Corinthian acanthus detailing, used for monumental structures in Roman architecture.

So this pair is the only one that consists of two orders created by the Romans, rather than both being Greek origins. The other options mix Greek orders (and thus aren’t the two Roman additions).