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Why is the Acropolis important?
Over the centuries, the Acropolis was many things: a home to kings, a citadel, a mythical home of the gods, a religious center and a tourist attraction. It has withstood bombardment, massive earthquakes and vandalism yet still stands as a reminder of the rich history of Greece.
What was the Parthenon’s main function?
Like most Greek temples, the Parthenon served a practical purpose as the city treasury. For a time, it served as the treasury of the Delian League, which later on became the Athenian Empire. In the final decade of the 6th century AD, the Parthenon was converted into a Christian church dedicated to the Virgin Mary.
What does Athens mean in world history?
Athens. / (ˈæθɪnz) / noun. the capital of Greece, in the southeast near the Saronic Gulf: became capital after independence in 1834; ancient city-state, most powerful in the 5th century bc; contains the hill citadel of the Acropolis.
What were the historical circumstances for the creation of the Parthenon?
The project to build a new temple to replace the damaged buildings of the acropolis following the Persian attack on the city in 480 BCE and restart the aborted temple project begun in 490 BCE was instigated by the Athenian statesman Pericles and funded by surplus from the war treasury of the Delian League, a political …
What is a acropolis in history?
An acropolis is any citadel or complex built on a high hill. The name derives from the Greek akro, “high” or “extreme/extremity” or “edge”, and polis, “city”, translated as “high city”, “city on the edge” or “city in the air”, the most famous being the Acropolis of Athens, Greece, built in the 5th century BCE.
What’s the definition of a Hoplite?
hoplite, heavily armed ancient Greek foot soldier whose function was to fight in close formation.
Why is Athens important?
Athens was the largest and most influential of the Greek city-states. It had many fine buildings and was named after Athena, the goddess of wisdom and warfare. The Athenians invented democracy, a new type of government where every citizen could vote on important issues, such as whether or not to declare war.
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.
Why was 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.
Where is the Acropolis?
Acropolis of Athens
The Acropolis of Athens is the most striking and complete ancient Greek monumental complex still existing in our times. It is situated on a hill of average height (156m) that rises in the basin of Athens.
What was the original purpose of the Parthenon?
The main purpose of the Parthenon was as a temple for Athena, virgin goddess and patron of Athens.
What was unique about the Parthenon?
The Parthenon is unique for the richness and quality of its sculptures. The most precious statue in the Parthenon was the statue of Athena. The central part of the temple was divided in 2 sections: the eastern and the western. The great gold and ivory statue of the goddess Athena was guarded in the eastern section.
What does Parthenon stand for?
The Parthenon is a temple in the middle of the Acropolis in Athens, Greece (Europe). It was a temple to honor the god Athena for nearly 900 years, and originally had a huge idol to her. The name Parthenon means the virgin’s place in Greek.
What s the Parthenon known for?
The temple’s harmonic proportions, precise construction, and lifelike sculptures have been celebrated and emulated for thousands of years. The Parthenon is often regarded as a monument to democracy , which was founded in Athens during this period, as well as a tribute to the Athenians’ victory in the Greco-Persian Wars (492-449 BCE).