The Parthenon

The Parthenon was construction in the 5th century BC by the Athenian Acropolis. It is a temple to the Greek religion Athena. The Parthenon is at nearby undergoing a reinstatement and rebuilding process. Today the Parthenon is recognized as one of the world’s most cherished cultural monuments.

Representation of ancient Greece and of Athenian democracy

The Parthenon remains an significant piece of history today because it stands as a symbol of both ancient Greece and of the age of Athenian democracy. Although some consider there to be both an old and a new Parthenon the history of the Parthenon is part of its appeal.

High tip of Greek art

The many ornamental sculptures that adorn the Parthenon are considered to be the highest forms of Greek art. The master artists of the time were commissioned to sculpt and paint the Parthenon art that can still be enjoyed today.

The Parthenon swaps an older temple of Athena

There is a 1st Parthenon that is called the Pre-Parthenon or Older Parthenon. This Parthenon was destroyed in the Persian invasion of 480 BC. What could be saved from the old Parthenon was then used in the re-building of the Parthenon that we see today (with the exceptions of the portions of the Parthenon that have been restored or repaired).

An ancient assets

Similar to most Greek temples, the Parthenon was originally worn as a treasury. The Parthenon originally served as the treasury of the Delian League. The Delian League would later became the Athenian Empire.

A position of religion

The Parthenon has addressed a number of different religions. In the sixthth century AD, the Parthenon was converted into a Christian church. In the early 1460s, it was converted into a mosque.

The Venetian bombardment

On the 26th of September in 1687 an Ottoman bullets deposit that was being housed inside the Parthenon, was ignited by Venetian bombardiers. Naturally, the resulting explosion severely damaged the Parthenon and its sculptures.

Metopes

The metopes on the Parthenon are statues that are very detailed in their symbol of human anatomy. Extreme detail in the sculpting of the heads and even the veins in the muscles of the figures make these sculptures unique. While many of the metopes on the North side of the Parthenon were damaged or destroyed, some still remain either on the edifice or in a number of different museums including the Louvre.

Frieze

The Parthenon is ornamented with a Frieze that runs approximately the exterior walls of the building. The frieze was carved in situ and can be dated back to 442 BC-438 BC. The Frieze depicts an interpretation of the procession from the Dipylon Gate in the Kerameikos to the Acropolis. The procession occurred every year and was meant to honor the goddess Athena