Doric Pilaster

• The Doric order is the simplest and oldest type in classical Greek architecture. These pilasters, also called antae, were used on the ends of walls. Similar to Doric columns, the shafts of Doric pilasters are plain and have no entases, the width from bottom to the top being equal. The capitals of the Doric pilasters are also plain, and are plainer than the capital of a Doric column. In classical Greek architecture, this ensured that the Doric columns stood out more than the pilasters themselves.
  
  

Ionic Pilaster

• The Ionic order is more elaborate than the Doric order, and it is reflected in the design of Ionic pilasters. The capitals of the Ionic pilasters were far from plain, as they had various ornaments. Designs such as eggs and darts, beads and reels, honeysuckles as well as the characteristic scrolled volutes can be found in the capitals of Ionic pilasters. The base of these pilasters are molded similarly to bases of Ionic columns but are ornamented more with horizontal lines.
  
  

Corinthian Pilaster

• In classical Greek architecture, you can see one authoritative instance of the Corinthian order's use of the pilaster at the Tower of the Winds in Athens. These pilasters were only used on each side of the doorway of the Tower of the Winds. You can identify the Corinthian pilaster by looking at its capital, which features two rows of acanthus leaves, scrolled volutes and a fleuron. Earlier versions of the Corinthian pilaster capital, as you can see in the Tower of the Winds, only has one row of acanthus leaves and another row of palm leaves.
  
  

Composite Pilaster

• The Composite order was the Roman elaboration of the Corinthian order. You can recognize the Composite order pilaster by looking at its capital. The capital has the characteristic rows of acanthus leaves and Ionic order style volutes. The big difference that separates the Composite from the Corinthian is the echinus rather than a fleuron, coupled with the egg-and-dart carvings between the volutes.