Importance of Partheon

One of the most well known places in Greece would be the Athenian Acropolis, where the Parthenon resides. Built in dedication to the Greek Goddess Athena, the current temple was constructed after the original temple was destroyed in the Second Persian Invasion in 480 B. C. The Parthenon is a most prominent figure in Classical Greek history, designed by Callicrates and Ictinus with the supervision of Phidias over the order of Pericles to show the wealth and the extravagance the Athenian power was capable of. Though in restoration, its value becomes clear ooking at its sculptures and realizing the extensive history it holds.

Being over 2000 years old, the history of the temple is astronomical. Just by looking at it, the affects of an ancient battle and rule are clear. Construction began in 447 B. C. , and ended in 438 B. C. The Parthenon was purely a temple to Athena, up till the 4th century. The building held many treasures, the most magnificent being a statue of Athena in full armor holding Nike, Goddess of Victory, made purely of ivory and gold. This statue was lost and eventually destroyed in the 5th century, Athens now eing a province of the Roman Empire. In the 5th century, the building was turned into a Christian church.

It remained this way for around 250 years, the actual structure remaining intact, but with most sculptures of the Greek Gods destroyed. Then it was the Ottomans' who took control, and turned the temple into a mosque. Under their control, it was maintained, until the 17th century. 1678 was when the Parthenon took a direct shot from mortar fire from the Venetians, and since the building was being used as a store for gunpowder, a huge explosion occurred, leaving most of the destruction visible today. The Venetians soon took control and took whatever they could from the structure, and wrecking the rest, leaving it nearly empty.

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Whatever was left was then taken by the British in 1801. We can only tell what the sculptures and depictions look like today thanks to a Flemish artist, Jacques Carrey who made drawings in 1674. Restoration for the broken and worn building started in 1975. While the Parthenon will never look like it did centuries ago, we are now doing our best to restore it. Not only can you see the outcomes of historical events on the Parthenon, but mportant events and figures of Greek mythology are a part of, and used to be what the Parthenon was for.

Just about all of the pieces involving their mythology are lost, but the ones we know of give us more knowledge on the subject. From the art left by Jacques Carry, we see the birth of Athena, which whom the temple was built for, on the East Pediment. The setting is dawn, as we see horses at the South end rising up Helios, and horses at the north end tired and fatigued. We can picture the main gods around Zeus, with Hephaestus and Hera near. Hephaestus was the one to strike Zeus's head, splitting it, after complaining of headache, giving forth to Athena in full armor.

Then there's the West Pediment, showing the aftermath of the fight between Athena and Poseidon over Attica, the region of Athens. Hermes and Nike are on the side with Athena, while Iris and Aphrodite are on the side with Poseidon. Both are moving away from the center of the pediment where Zeus threw down a thunderbolt, pediments tell of major events in mythology evolving Athena. The Parthenon has survived through time, and it tells quite a tale on Ancient Greece. It has been part of major events in history evolving Greece, and shows us important events in mythology.

When we look at what the structure holds and gives to us, it's importance becomes clear. Not only is a marvel to look at, but shows us what Athens had been capable on. It has survived, but not without wounds, though steps are being taken to finally get the temple to what it used to be over 2,000 years ago. Short Essay Ancient Greece, architecture wise, is most well-known for its astounding temples. Having an important role in their religion, they were most wide-spread. The Parthenon is one of the best well-known temples, built for the Goddess Athena.

Temples such as the Parthenon were very common, held an important spot in Ancient Greece, and is simply an amazing work of art. From the details of the columns to the frieze, the Parthenon was, and still is a testament to the beauty of Ancient Greek architecture. Located in Athens, the Parthenon stands on top of The Acropolis. There are actually many acropolises, but the one holding the Parthenon has its special title for its significance. There are many temples dedicated to gods, such as the Temple of Aphaea, the Temple of Hephaestus, and the Temple of Zeus.

Temples are what Greek architecture is best known for, so it should be no surprise that they were fairly common. They were used as a place of sanctuary and of religious purposes. The Parthenon had its place as being built for Athena, for Athens success during that time. Not only did they serve a religious purpose, but a way to show power. No ordinary city would build such a work of art, you needed money and power. It also did show how artsy and amazing artists some Greeks were, you could look at the olumns and see very fine details, from the drawings you can see the realistic look of the statues placed inside, and outside the building.

The fact that these very lifelike sculptures were crafted and moved without the machinery we have today is unbelievable. From the pediments, you see important bits of mythology play out before you, and from the ruins you can see the affects of time and destruction. No other work of art can hold as much history as the Parthenon has, it's been through the time of the Ancient Greece to the 21st century, all the way gathering scars from new rule and battles. I think the whole building itself is astonishing, but also very informal.

While the building currently is nothing compared to what it looked like when finished long ago, knowing it is being restored lets us know this magnificent work of art has not been forgotten. The Parthenon holds a spot in Greek history, and serves its purpose in their ancient religion. While temples like it are common, none are as well known, or hold as much of a historical significance. It's a beautiful structure to behold, mostly when it is completely rebuilt. It's overall a stunning building, very fitting of a Goddesses place of worship.

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