How Do You Spell OPISTHODOMOS?

Pronunciation: [ˌɒpɪsθədˈə͡ʊmə͡ʊz] (IPA)

Opisthodomos is a word of Greek origin that refers to the back chamber or porch of a Classical Greek temple. It is spelled as /əʊˌpɪstəˈdəʊmɒs/ in IPA phonetic transcription. The first syllable is pronounced with a long "o" sound, followed by a schwa sound. The second syllable has a short "i" sound and the third syllable has a long "o" sound. The last syllable is pronounced with a short "a" sound and ends with the voiceless "s" sound. The word has a complex spelling due to its Greek origin and unique pronunciation.

OPISTHODOMOS Meaning and Definition

1. Opisthodomos is a term originating from ancient Greek architecture, used to describe a specific area or chamber located at the back of a temple. The word "opisthodomos" is composed of two Greek words, "opisthen" meaning "behind" or "at the back," and "domos" meaning "house" or "chamber."

   In ancient Greek temples, the opisthodomos was situated behind the main cella or naos, which served as the central part of the temple where the cult statues and sacred items were housed. It was typically a rectangular space or chamber that could be accessed from the pronaos (the front porch) of the temple.

   The opisthodomos often had distinct architectural features compared to the rest of the temple. For instance, it typically had a different roofline and might have a different column configuration or design. The purpose of the opisthodomos varied; it could be used to store valuable offerings, precious materials, or financial offerings made to the deity worshipped in the temple. Some scholars also suggest that the opisthodomos could serve as a treasury or a space for administrative purposes.

   While the opisthodomos was primarily a feature of ancient Greek architecture, some variations of this element can also be found in Roman temple designs. Though opisthodomoi were present in multiple temples across ancient Greece, their exact functions and uses, due to the scarcity of surviving records, remain partly speculative.

Common Misspellings for OPISTHODOMOS

• ipisthodomos
• kpisthodomos
• lpisthodomos
• ppisthodomos
• 0pisthodomos
• 9pisthodomos
• ooisthodomos
• olisthodomos
• o0isthodomos
• opusthodomos
• opjsthodomos
• opksthodomos
• oposthodomos
• op9sthodomos
• op8sthodomos
• opiathodomos
• opizthodomos
• opixthodomos
• opidthodomos
• opiethodomos

Etymology of OPISTHODOMOS

The word "opisthodomos" is derived from the combination of two Greek words: "opisthós" (ὀπίσθιος) and "dómos" (δόμος).

- "Opisthós" means "behind" or "at the back" in Greek.

- "Dómos" means "house" or "building" in Greek.

In ancient Greek architecture, the "opisthodomos" referred to a specific area located at the rear of some temples. It was an enclosed space or chamber situated behind the main section, called the "naos" or "cella", which housed the cult statue. The opisthodomos was often used for storage or served as a treasury.

Therefore, the term "opisthodomos" literally translates to "back room" or "rear area of a building".

Plural form of OPISTHODOMOS is OPISTHODOMOI