Table of Contents
- 1 What led to the construction of the Parthenon?
- 2 What kind of construction was used to build the Parthenon?
- 3 When was the Parthenon in Greece built?
- 4 Who were the Parthenon architects and what is the marble used?
- 5 Why is the Parthenon called the temple of Athena?
- 6 How many columns are there in the Parthenon?
What led to the construction of the Parthenon?
In 447 B.C., after Athens led a coalition of Greek city-states to victory over the Persians, the great Athenian general and statesman Pericles ordered new construction at the citadel to begin.
What Athenian leader guided the creation of the Parthenon?
Directed by the Athenian statesman Pericles, constructing the Parthenon was the work of the architects Ictinus and Callicrates under the supervision of the sculptor Phidias.
What kind of construction was used to build the Parthenon?
The Parthenon was built on the foundations of the previous church built by Peisistratus and destroyed by the Persians. The material used in the construction was Pentelic marble, except the raised floor, where limestone was used. The erection of the temple took nine years.
Is the Parthenon under construction?
Even though it will be under construction for many years, the Parthenon is still easy to appreciate in terms of size and scale and the engineering that has made it stand for so long.
When was the Parthenon in Greece built?
447 BC
Parthenon/Construction started
Who made the Parthenon frieze?
Phidias
Parthenon Frieze/Artists
The Parthenon frieze is a marble sculpture that adorned the upper part of the Parthenon temple. It was constructed between c. 443 and 437 BC, most likely under the supervision of the Greek sculptor, Pheidias. The original frieze measures 160 meters in length but only about 80% of it survives today.
Who were the Parthenon architects and what is the marble used?
The acropolis itself measures some 300 by 150 metres and is 70 metres high at its maximum. The temple, which would sit on the highest part of the acropolis, was designed by the architects Iktinos and Kallikratis, and the project was overseen by the sculptor Phidias (Pheidias). Pentelic marble blocks from the nearby Mt.
When did the construction of the Parthenon begin?
Construction of the Parthenon began around 447 B.C.E. and was envisioned to be the centerpiece of this acropolis complex. A generation prior, the Athenians – as part of an alliance the Greek city-states formed – had led victories against Persian invaders during the Greco-Persian wars.
Why is the Parthenon called the temple of Athena?
Because the Parthenon was dedicated to the Greek goddess Athena it has sometimes been referred to as the Temple of Minerva, the Roman name for Athena, particularly during the 19th century.
Why is the Parthenon considered the best example of classical architecture?
The Ancient Greek temple known as the Parthenon has long since been considered a great illustration of the ideal, Classical architectural construction. This could simply be attributed to the fact that during the Classical period of Greek art, symmetry and balance were essential, which can easily be seen in the structure of this temple.
How many columns are there in the Parthenon?
There are 46 outer columns and 19 inner columns. The columns are slightly tapered to give the temple a symmetrical appearance. The corner columns are larger in diameter than the other columns. Incredibly, the Parthenon contains no straight lines and no right angles, a true feat of Greek architecture.