As the Enlightenment and Age of Reason spread through Europe and the Americas during the 18th & 19th centuries, so did a revival of classical Greek architecture that was emblematic of the philosophy behind those movements. It was no coincidence, as the two were inextricably linked from 2 millennia ago, reflecting the abandonment of the rigid dogmatism of the dark and middle ages and a return of both democracy and rationalism.
Proudly emblazing both stately residences and government buildings of the era, they inspire a sense of simplicity and awe that hadn’t been seen since the fall of the Roman Empire. While it is a bit restrained compared to the prevalent Rococo architecture (look it up, it’s crazy) of Europe, it still carried grand columns, simple-yet-elegant geometric forms, Greek or Roman detailing and flat or domed roofs. Of the 3 styles of Neoclassical, we most often see Palladian buildings in the US, such as the Capitol Building.