Summary The external forms of classical architecture were dependent on both materials and methods of construction. Greek and Roman sources offer a variety of viewpoints on the development of classical architectural forms and on technical expertise, ranging from descriptions of a building's appearance and sculptural decoration to the origins of the orders, urban planning, notable engineering accomplishments, patronage, and financial accounting of building expenses; other sources of information for the construction of ancient monuments include public inscriptions. The choice of materials used in Greek architecture was determined by the nature of the building, the financial means of the patron or group paying for its construction, and access to resources. The most common building materials were stone, wood, mudbrick, stucco, terracotta, metals, and paint. Depending on the geographic relationship between the quarry and the sanctuary, transport of stone might be by land, by sea, or a combination of the two.
