The elaborate cornice of the Boston Public Library contains several elements that are common to the Roman Corinthian Order. At the very top is a pattern of palmette ornaments. Below that is a series of lion head reliefs. At the very bottom of the cornice is an egg-and-dart pattern above a beed-and-reel pattern and then a dentile pattern, which very commonly indicates the bottom of the cornice. Another important pattern is the leaf-and-tongue pattern that frames most of the windows.
     In comparison, the Greek Doric Parthenon has a simple cornice but a decorated frieze. Externally, both structures have identifiable classical architectural features, but are quite different in their decorative patterns. The Parthenon represents the very early classical architectures, whereas the Boston Public Library imitates the a much later classical order.