Relief orthostats

myminifactory

In classical Greek architecture, orthostates are massive stone blocks that tower above the wall's foundation. These towering slabs stand upright, rather than lying flat on their sides, earning them the name "orthostates." In some cultures, the term is spelled as "orthostat," but in Greek architecture, it's a staple feature. Typically, pairs of orthostates are placed side by side to form the wall's thickness, with one block facing inward and the other outward. Above these towering blocks, a course of stones is often laid across the wall's width, joining its two faces together (a binder course) like a sturdy beam. The term "orthostates" has been adapted to describe architectural styles from various cultures. In Hittite and Assyrian sculpture, these stone monoliths are frequently adorned with intricate carvings. Beyond ancient Greek architecture, the term can be applied to any upright-standing stones, including megalithic menhirs that rise majestically above the landscape.