The Roman Architecture was heavily influenced by the Greeks, but were the Greeks themselves influenced in this area by other civilizations?

by ST_LORT

And how did we find out about this influence or the lack thereof.

Hoppetar

As far as Classical Greece goes, much of it was an indigenous development within the confines of that historical period, but it does build upon earlier foundations, which are also Greek, but not considered part of Classical Greece, namely Mycenaean and Kretan architecture. Mycenaen architecture largely seems to have been an indigenous development as well, and appears in such similarity to the very inception of architecture in the neolithic that it is amply clear that it would rather have developed from neolithic precursors than external influence. If I recall correctly, however, there are some theories which trace its origin to the Balkans - I'm not sure about the merit these theories deserve. Minoan, that is Kretan, culture was subject to Egyptian influences, which reflected in aesthetics and architecture, although Krete remained very distinct from Egypt in both fields.