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Parthenon

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Parthenon
Take a second to think about all the buildings you encounter on a daily basis. Whether it is a school, office or a historical monument, most likely, the last thing on your mind is the purpose or history of the building. The average person may not pay very close attention to the reasoning of a building; who built it, why they build it, or maybe even who/what it is dedicated to. The truth is, almost every respectable building has its own individual story. In the ancient Greek city of Athens, the Parthenon was built in respect to the growing community and a strong democratic society. Not only did it symbolize equality “The Parthenon was a creation of a free democracy, initiated, controlled, and approved by popular assembly and its judicial organs” (Bruno 111). Just a single building had such a tremendous influence on the entire city. Through design, social atmosphere and government, the Parthenon demonstrates characteristics of a free democratic civilization.
The Parthenon was first built between year 447 BC and 432 BC by Greek architects Ictinos and Callicrates, while designed and supervised by Phidias, a famous sculptor. The large monument measures about 111 feet by 228 feet and its tall parallel columns tower over the city of Athens, Greece. It was built on top of a hill called the Acropolis, which had been the original site for early kings of Athens and a place to go and worship. After being built, the building was not only used for religious practices but political usage as well. The Parthenon symbolized Athenian wealth and power and was dedicated to the Greek goddess Athena. After the Persian invasion destroyed these temples in 480 BC, it was ordered by the Athenian leader Pericles to construct the current standing temple of Athena. Athena is known for the goddess of wisdom, courage, inspiration, law and justice, civilization, strength, and strategy. It was believed that she helped the Greeks conquer the Persian Empire, thus a statue of Athena made of gold and


Bibliography: Hansen, Mogens Herman. The Athenian Democracy in the Age of Demosthenes: Structure, Principles, and Ideology. Norman: University of Oklahoma, 1999. Print. Rhodes, P. J. Athenian Democracy. New York: Oxford UP, 2004. Print. Meiss, Pierre Von. Elements of Architecture: From Form to Place. London: Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1990. Print. Bruno, Vincent J. The Parthenon,. New York: Norton, 1974. Print. "The Parthenon." Parthenon. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Apr. 2013. "Ancient Greece: The Parthenon."Http://www.britishmuseum.org/pdf/visit_greece_parthenon_ks2.pdf. N.p., n.d. Web. "The Democracy." Reveal Greece. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Apr. 2013. "Doric_order | OneShotOnePlace.com." OneShotOnePlacecom. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Apr. 2013. "Weekend City Break in Athens - Attractions - Tours & Day Trips." Athens City Break. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Apr. 2013. "Greek Temples." Greek Temples. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Apr. 2013.
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