How did Greek temples in Sicily and southern Italy differ from temples in mainland Greece?

Temples in the Greek colonies of Sicily and southern Italy differed from those in mainland Greece in several distinct ways, primarily due to local material constraints and a preference for larger, more decorative scales.1

• Materials: Unlike the mainland, these colonies lacked local sources of fine white marble. Consequently, they relied heavily on limestone, which was finished with paint and stucco. This limitation stimulated a unique and sophisticated tradition of creating major sculptural works in fired clay.1
• Style and Detail: While these temples were generally built in the Doric order, they frequently incorporated Ionic details, reflecting a stylistic blend not always seen in the motherland.1
• Scale and Construction: Colonial architecture often favored a greater scale and boldness of detail. A notable departure from the traditional post-and-lintel system was the use of massive, plastically molded walls. For example, at the temple of Olympian Zeus in Acragas, architects used engaged half-columns attached to continuous solid walls to support the heavy entablature, rather than relying solely on freestanding columns.1

These colonial centers, including Syracuse, Selinus, and Paestum, demonstrated their wealth through these ambitious, lavish building projects.1