Parthenon Essay, Research Paper
The Parthenon is known as the chef-d’oeuvre of Grecian architecture. The Parthenon is the most of import and characteristic memorial of the ancient Grecian civilisation and still remains its international symbol. The name of the temple comes from the Grecian word parthenos, or virgin ; that is, the goddess Athena. It was dedicated to Athena, the frequenter goddess of Athens. The temple bases on a hill called the & # 8220 ; Acropolis & # 8221 ; which overlooks the metropolis. The Parthenon was the first edifice to be constructed on the Acropolis. At that clip there were no edifices in Athens because of the war between Athens and Persia. Consequently, they wanted to reconstruct his metropolis. Many thought that the first edifice to be built must be a temple to Athena, their frequenter goddess. It was she who saw them through that war. The temple was built between 447 and 438 B.C. Pericles initiated the building of the memorial ; the supervisor of the whole work was Phidias, the celebrated Athenian sculpturer, while Ictinus and Callicrates were the designers of the edifice.
The Parthenon combines an component of the Doric and Ionic orders. It is surrounded by 46 Doric columns standing at 34 pess high.
The design used for these columns was a technique called flute. Each column has precisely 20 channels.
The cardinal portion of the temple, called the cella, sheltered the celebrated cult statue of Athena, made by Phidias. The larger of the two inside suites, the naos, housed the cult statue. The Metopes ( statues ) on the Parthenon are about 1.20 metres high and the breadth is between 0.15 to 0.80 metres. The metopes of the Parthenon all represented assorted cases of the battle between the forces of order and justness, on the 1
manus, and condemnable pandemonium on the other. Shown on the west side are 12 metopes of the fabulous conflict against the Amazons ( Amazonomachy ) . Shown on the south, 34 metopes of the conflict between the Lapiths and the Centaurs ( Centauromachy ) . The two pediments of the temple are decorated with fabulous scenes. Those at the west terminal of the temple depicted the competition between Poseidon and Athena for the right to be the patron divinity of Athens ( Athena’s gift of the olive tree was preferred over Poseidon’s spring ) .
The most advanced portion of the Parthenon & # 8217 ; s sculptural ornament, is the frieze on the exterior wall of the naos. The frieze depicts neither Gods nor ancient heroes, but the Athenians themselves. The frieze besides depicts work forces on horseback, other work forces taking the sacrificial animate beings, every bit good as adult females transporting other offerings. No Grecian temple of all time earlier had employed sculpture picturing mere persons.
The full edifice was fundamentally designed as the shelter for the cult statue of Athena. The statue was made of a wooden nucleus covered with panels of tusk and gold. The statue of Athena Parthenos was over 12 metres tall. She stood to the full armed: have oning a helmet, keeping a lance with her shield in her left manus, and transporting a personification of triumph in her right. She stands of all time ready as the metropolis & # 8217 ; s protectress.
Today the Parthenon stands in ruins from the Persian war. This chef-d’oeuvre has lasted over 2,500 old ages because of its all right marble building. The Parthenon would be in better status today had in non been damaged in a conflict in 1687. The Parthenon had stood for more than 2,000 old ages as one of the universe & # 8217 ; s most beautiful edifices. In one blink of an eye, one cannon ball scarred the historical hoarded wealth forever.
