The Classical period was a 200 year period in Greek culture filled with war and conflict, but also achieved political and cultural accomplishments, from this Athens continued to dominate Greece politically, economically and culturally. The Parthenon is the most significant and surviving construction of all of Classical Greece, while continuing to remain as their international symbol. Despite its massive size the structure was built in only a 15 year time period ; 447-432 BC, costing 469 silver talents. The structure was originally designed to repair the previous temple that was destroyed by the Persians in 480 BC. In fact, two earlier temples had been previously built on this exact site, unfortunately both were destroyed by the Persians. (Kappraff, …show more content…
The two architects Iktinos and Kallikrates, constantly used breathtaking series of “optical refinements” in the proportions of this structure to make it appear perfectly regular and rectangular to the human eye. These optical illusions enhance the viewers awe while examining the structure and allows the building to appear more balanced and ordered contributing to the ideal form. These allusions allow the Parthenon to appear more symmetrical than it actually is, However, the inside of the Parthenon is entirely symmetrical. All vertical components of this structure such as the columns and roof faces actually lean inwards, in fact there are hardly no straight lines at all. If the Greeks had built the Parthenon with multiple straight lines due to its massive size the structure would be perceived as sagging. The architects are particularly famous for their idea of the Golden Ratio which is often considered to be the formula for beauty, which explains its perfect proportions, “9:4 This ratio governed the vertical and horizontal proportions of the temple as well as many other relationships of the building like the spacing between the columns and their height.” (The Parthenon, Page 1) This …show more content…
First and foremost the Parthenon was the largest structure to use a doric order design, which is the first style of classical architecture and set the standards for beauty, harmony and strength for all European architecture. Today, many political buildings are made from marble or a similar material further representing wealth while friezes today are heavily decorated the same way as the Parthenon's. From the White House in Washington DC to ancient temples in Rome, it is very common for a town's local library, museum or court house to be influenced from the Parthenon. The Greeks having the first true form of democracy which America has later adapted for their capital buildings. The Parthenon was an expression and symbol of Athenian wealth and successes. Ancient Greek architecture had very distinct characteristics and details, explaining why so many countries then and now continue to resemble famous Greek architecture, “Ancient Greek temples featured proportional design, columns, friezes, and pediments, usually decorated with sculpture in
After learning more about these two buildings, I discovered that the Romans were “inspired” by Greek architecture. The columns used in both are common to Greek architecture. Based on the photos that were viewed from online searches, it appears that the Romans were more ornate during the construction of their temple which can be seen by their choice of building materials, such as marble. The Parthenon seems to have had more simple lines. It was rectangular in shape as opposed to the Pantheon that was rounded in many areas, particularly where the sculptures of the gods were. This was to lend to the idea that they were on the same level and that no god was given more preferential treatment since the Pantheon was to honor all of them equally. The structures resemble one another in that they both have those ominous columns as a way to emphasize the dominion the gods had over the
During Classical Greece the Parthenon was built as temple to the Goddess Athena, as symbol of the state’s wealth and superiority, along with serving as the treasury. The architecture uses a bit of both Doric and Ionic orders. On the outside rim of the temple Doric columns, triglyphs and metopes are used but on the inside of the temple Ionic friezes were used. Both the metopes and friezes were completely filled with painted sculptures depicting the gods, Athenians, and conquered enemies. The themes center on gods or Athenians being victorious over chorus. One of the main stories shown in the Parthenon is the story of the Goddess of Wisdom, Athena being chosen as the patron Goddess of Athens over the Sea God, Poseidon. Poseidon was a war god who offered the people a beautiful but useless saltwater spring while Athena offered an olive tree. The people of Athens choose the olive tree symbolizing their culture valuing peace and prosperity over the chorus of war. The Parthenon also shows the Ancient Greeks value in mathematics and idealized perfection. The columns were carved to bulge slightly as well as tilting inwards, which creates the illusion that the columns were both straighter and taller than they were. Other illusions they used to give the appearance of perfection included arching in the middle just enough to ensure what would not pull and stop the eye from seeing the ends of the steps rise. Ancient Greeks valued their gods, perfection, mathematics, wealth and
The Parthenon was built to house the goddess Athena, but was first used as a treasury. There is some symbolism to its location as the acropolis on which the temple is sited, was also the place other temples had been, but the Athenians rebuilt after the Persian wars and the Parthenon was according to this week’s reading from Reed College, one of those structures built ‘to commemorate their victory and in gratitude to heaven’ (n.d, Reed College)
One reason why Greek architecture flourished was because of the rules and regulations established in Washington DC, starting in the late nineteenth century. In 1910, the Height of Buildings Act was passed, which said that buildings could not exceed 130 feet in height, or be any wider than the street that they were on, plus twenty feet. These restrictions fostered the design of Greek architecture. This height restriction eliminated the building of skyscrapers, which was becoming popular at this time. Since Greek Architecture was tailored more towards shorter structures than large, tall buildings, it found a hom...
The Parthenon is an amazing Greek temple that was built 2,500 years ago. Even the architects of today have numerous questions about how it was constructed and how it has held up through its eventful past. The Parthenon's detailed appearance is not its only meaningful quality. The Parthenon was constructed as a temple to the goddess, Athena, and as an icon of the Greek people themselves. The Parthenon represents the Greek ideals of humanism, idealism, and rationalism.
Their most recognizable columns are the Ionic, Doric, and Corinthian. These different columns can be found on notable buildings such as the White House, or just driving through various neighborhoods. One of the most recognizable building in Greece is the Parthenon, which directly influenced the Supreme Court Building. Though the Parthenon has Doric columns and the Supreme Court Building Corinthian, they both have the same first impression. Both, when viewed from the front, have eight columns supporting a triangle of marble. The triangle is very ornate, possessing detailed sculpting of various
== == = == Sculpture of the Parthenon Viewtech
The foundation of Greek culture was balance, reason, and harmony which can be unveiled in their art. As the civilization heavily revolved around religion, massive temples were built to serve the Gods. Greeks believed in many Gods, meaning they had polytheistic views . This notion of polytheism passed down to the Romans who adopted nearly the exact same deities and built similar architecture as well. One of the most famous buildings of worship was the Greek Parthenon built around 447-432 B.C.E, worshipping the goddess Athena . While building these brilliant pieces of art, concepts regarding laws and the natural world from philosophers were being incorporated in the structure. Pillars were often built in temples and various buildings in both Greek and Roman cultures. Doric, ionic, and Corinthian stand as the main three pillars built; each of them becomes increasingly more elaborate by order. For example, the Corinthian was the most intricate. Romans quickly developed a taste for this form of architecture and incorporated into theirs later on. The Romans however were very inventive, and began to develop the arch, vault and dome to add to what they emulated from the Greeks. Using these elements the Romans built what is known as the Coliseum, built over a 10 year span from around 70 AD to 80 AD. The Coliseum was said to hold 50,000 spectators and was used for entertainment
The Pantheon and the Parthenon are two of the most influential building in history. They share some basic styles, pillars, pediment and frieze, even though they share these elements they are vastly different on each building. The Pantheon shows how with the advancement in technology bigger, stronger thing can be built. The Greeks however show great craftsmanship in the Parthenon, with its carvings and reliefs. The fact that these building are standing today is a testament to genius of both the Romans and the Greeks
A diversity of skilled laborers was employed to build a framework required to raise stones required to make ceramic tiles for rooftops. Specialists were utilized to measure the fittings to fortify the block of stones to form the essential paraphernalia for modeled scenes. Athenian sculptors discretely etch sculptures for the roof and columns of the temple’s structures. Columns are made of limestone and marble as a foundation to support the ceilings. For example, the Parthenon, made in 447 B.C. to 432 B.C. in Greece, representation of a municipal designed by architects that took interest in each part of the development. The Greek establishments have been fundamental to the general architectural exquisite components regularly that utilizes of reconstructing a whole building. Despite the fact that the Ancient Greeks constructed numerous buildings, the temple best represents the points and techniques for the designs that the Greeks signify. The temple ordinarily fused on at least one or more sections of columns encompassing each of the four sides. The perpendicular formation of the temple adjusted to a request to alter the course of structures bound together by the standards of symmetry and
The Parthenon was built to honor the goddess of wisdom, Athena. When structures are built using straight lines they tend to look slightly distorted due to the science of optics. The architects Iktos and Kallikretes were skilled architects of their time and they used illusory tactics to create an ideal aesthetic for The Parthenon. The architects compensated for these visual illusions by counteracting them in their design. The end result is a structure that is not composed of straight lines, but when viewed by the human eye, looks perfectly straight. Plato would have mentioned one of his famous dictums, ?That which changes least is most real.? He would have viewed Iktos and Kallikretes designs as less real than other designs that do not u...
The Parthenon was built during the Golden age in Athens, Greece. The Parthenon is made of mainly columns; there is a 9:4 ratio. It was almost destroyed in war; the ruins that remained were dedicated to Athena. The purpose of the Parthenon was to house the statue of Athena, made of ivory and gold, and also Athena’s treasure. The ratios and the equations used to make the Parthenon were used as a sign of the harmony in the natural world around us. The mathematical harmony in the world shows how we can work with the world rather than destroy to make it what we want. The Parthenon also has no straight lines. The columns of the Parthenon are angled going up getting smaller the higher they get. This was done so that you could get the best lighting
The ancient Greeks developed a system of orders which were known as columns. There were three different types of columns and each had they own special twist, both structurally and appearance wise. The three orders consisted of the Doric order, Ionic order and the Corinthian order. One shocking fact was that the Romans used the Corinthian columns more than the Greeks did and they were the one that came up with them. Each order could be found in many different parts of ancient Greece. The columns were put into use by creating ancient temples. Since Greek life was mainly focused around religion, their temples were very big and beautiful (“Ancient Greece” 1).
In Ancient Greece, religion dominated their life, so it is understandable that their architecture would be dominated by their religion. Before Greece became many different city-states, they had kings, and they would build a room called a megaron to show they King’s authority. A typical megaron is a single chamber with a fire pit in the middle with a throne off to the side. This room opened up into a porch (portico) that had four columns in the front. After there were no more kings these megarons turned into temples. The fire pit, which turned into some type of altar or a place to show a sacrifice for that god, was now outside in front of the temple. The altar was now outside so people could see you make these sacrifices to their gods. The first Greek temples were made out of wood and were long rectangular buildings with a porch all the way around which was supported by columns made from tree trunks. A Greek temple consists of five basic parts: the pediment, entablature, columns, base, and the cella, or the inner sanctum. The pediment is triangular and would have a type of sculpture or ornament known as acreteria on each corner. An entablature consists of three parts: the cornice, frieze, and architrave, which holds up the pediment. The columns are the support between the entablature and the base. The base usually consists of three steps. The cella is the inner sanctum, which has different rooms with more columns for support. Each temple would have a cella but they were not identical.
Have you ever seen or visited the Capital building, Washington or amphitheater of Arlinton, Virginia or Cabin John bridge of Washington aqueduct? If an answer is yes, then have you ever think that how we come up with this type of buildings? These all buildings’ basic structures are based on the Greek and Roman cultures’ architecture. Historical records of Western culture in Europe begin with Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome. Roman culture was very inspired from the Greece culture and they had used very basic ideas to build buildings and temples, to portrait sculpture. They modernized and improved their architectures and sculptures in decorative way and made a separate image in the world.