Greece

 The main temple on the Acropolis is the Parthenon. After an earlier version was destroyed, Perikles gave instructions for a new temple to be erected. The aim was to make Athens stand out as a great city and a democratic one.Tthe building is a perfect example of Greek achievement.

Building began in 447 B.C. and the inauguration was held in 438 B.C. during the celebration of the Panathenaic Games. The sculptural decoration took until 432 B.C. for completion. The general design is Doric; there are 8 columns on each end and 17 columns along each long side. The entire temple was made of pentelic marble except for the wooden roof and the limestone foundation. An enormous statue 12 metres high of Athene made of ivory and gold, the work of the sculptor Phidias, was the centrepiece of the temple. The goddess was standing, and wearing a helmet, and had a breastplate which was Medusa's head made of ivory; in her right hand she was holding a Victory while in the other she held a spear. A great shield leaned against her leg and near to this was a snake.

The temple decoration combined elements of both the Doric and Ionic orders. Phidias introduced an Ionic frieze which showed the course of the Panathenaic Procession. This was unusual as it showed a realistic scene as opposed to one from mythology. The temple also has 92 metopes showing scenes from the Battle with the Giants, the Battle with the Amazons, the Battles with the Centaurs and some scenes from the Trojan War. On the two pediments, Phidias depicted two myths related to Athene: one the east side her birth from Zeus' head and on the west her dispute with Poseidon over Athens. These features would originally have been very brightly painted but there are very few traces of the paint left today.

This structure, despite its current state of ruin, is still very impressive. It can be seen from almost every part of the city.

Home | Rome | Parthenon | Acropolis | Delphi