What was the Parthenon used for?

All experts agree that early on the Parthenon was used as a treasury. In subsequent centuries the building was transformed into a Byzantine church, a Roman Catholic cathedral, and later a mosque.

What was the purpose of the Parthenon?

The purpose of the Parthenon has changed over its 2,500-year history, beginning as a temple dedicated to the goddess Athena Parthenos (“Athena the Virgin”). Some scholars, however, question the building's religious function, partly because no altar from the 5th century BCE has been found.

Why is the Parthenon important in art history?

Importance of the Parthenon

Built in the 5 century B.C., it was a symbol of the power, wealth and elevated culture of Athens. It was the largest and most lavish temple the Greek mainland had ever seen. Today, it is one of the most recognized buildings in the world and an enduring symbol of Ancient Greece.

Who was the Parthenon dedicated to?

The Parthenon on the Acropolis of Athens was built between 447 and 438 BC as a temple dedicated to the goddess Athena Parthenos.

Why is the Parthenon dedicated to Athena?

As with most buildings on the Acropolis it was dedicated to Athena to thank the Goddess for their success. The Parthenon was finally finished in 432 BC and was to show the world the dominance and power of Athens. The vast majority of the money used in the construction came from the Delian League funds.

A day in the life of an ancient Greek architect - Mark Robinson

Why was the Athena Parthenos built?

The temple was constructed to house the new gold and ivory cult statue of the goddess by the master sculptor Phidias (also Pheidias) and to proclaim to the world the success of Athens as leader of the coalition of Greek forces in the Persian Wars.

Why is the Parthenon frieze important?

The Parthenon friezes meant to convey a Panathenaic procession, the victory of the Athenians at Marathon, the power of Athens as a city-state, and the piety of its citizens. The Parthenon is one of the most iconic buildings in the Ancient World.

What does the sculpture of the Parthenon depict?

The sculpted marble depicts the Olympian gods seated while the citizens on Athens carved in low relief move stoically in the procession towards the central point around a scene depicting the folding of the peplos.

Which were features or subjects of Parthenon sculptures?

The sculpted decoration of the Parthenon included ninety-two metopes showing scenes of mythical battle. Those on the south flank of the temple included a series featuring human Lapiths in mortal combat with Centaurs. The Centaurs were part-man and part-horse, thus having a civil and a savage side to their nature.

Who built the Parthenon?

Construction of the Parthenon began in 447 B.C. Its design is credited to two architects, Ictinus and Callicrates, as well as the sculptor Phidias.

Who stole the statue of Athena?

Pericles' enemies accused Phidias of stealing gold from the statue of the Athena Parthenos in 432, but he was able to disprove the charge. They then accused him of impiety (for including portraits of Pericles and himself on the shield of Athena on the Athena Parthenos), and he was thrown into prison.

How was Athena honored at the Parthenon?

While both gifts were useful, the people of the city decided the olive tree was more valuable and Athena became their patron. The people of Athens honored Athena by building a large acropolis in the center of the city. At the top of the acropolis they constructed a beautiful temple to Athena called the Parthenon.

Was the Parthenon bombed?

On 26 September 1687 Morosini fired, one round scoring a direct hit on the powder magazine inside the Parthenon. The ensuing explosion caused the cella to collapse, blowing out the central part of the walls and bringing down much of Phidias' frieze.

What is Athena holding in her hand?

Athena stands holding a Nike (Victory) on her right hand that extends forward from the elbow, as if offering Nike to the Athenian citizens. With her left hand she supports her shield which shelters a snake as it rests on the ground, and her lance that rests on her left shoulder.

When was the Parthenon destroyed?

Indeed, it did not become a ruin until 1687, when, during the bombardment of the Acropolis by Venetians fighting the Turks, a powder magazine stored in the temple exploded and destroyed the centre of the building.

Why was the Parthenon built quizlet?

It was built as a tribute to Athena Parthenos as to thank her for the Athenian victory over the Persians in the 490 BC and 480 BC wars.

How did the Parthenon get destroyed?

In 1687, during the siege of the Acropolis by the troops of Venetian general Francesco Morosini a cannoball made a direct hit in the interior of the temple, which the Turks used as powder magazine. The terrible explosion blew up the roof ond destroyed the long sides of the temple as well as parts of its sculptures.

How long did the Parthenon take to build?

Amazingly, the ancient Athenians built the Parthenon in just eight or nine years. Repairing it is taking a bit longer.

Is the Parthenon a wonder of the world?

Today, the Parthenon is an international symbol of Greek civilization and the temples of the Acropolis have become some of the world's most famous architectural landmarks. The Athens Acropolis is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Which is the best description of the Parthenon?

A Greek temple used to shelter a god's statue -is the best description of the Parthenon.

Why are the Parthenon Marbles important?

In 1941, during the second world war, the British Foreign Office actively considered the Parthenon marbles' return as a gesture of support for Greek nationalism, as and when the war should end.

Who stole the Parthenon Marbles?

The Parthenon Marbles were stolen from the ancient Acropolis in 1801 by Lord Elgin, the British ambassador to the Sublime Porte in Istanbul. Fifteen years later, they were sold to the British government and found their new home in the British Museum in the Elgin Room.