The Parthenon

The Parthenon is 69.5-metre-long and 30.88-metre-wide temple and one of the most extraordinary temples of antiquity. It is a Doric temple with Ionic elements.

The Parthenon frieze (see Acropolis Museum and the British Museum) depicts the three stages of the Panathenea festival. The western part of the frieze depicts the preparations, the northern and southern parts depict the procession, while the eastern part, the enactment of the sacred rituals. The vividness, perfection in detail and continuity of the sculptures are universally acclaimed making it a masterpiece of world art.
The Parthenon frieze (see Acropolis Museum and the British Museum) depicts the three stages of the Panathenea festival. The western part of the frieze depicts the preparations, the northern and southern parts depict the procession, while the eastern part, the enactment of the sacred rituals. The vividness, perfection in detail and continuity of the sculptures are universally acclaimed making it a masterpiece of world art.
The action culminates at the centre of the pediment, while on its corners the intensity decreases according to the size of the space. The pediments have full-body sculptures. Even the non-visible parts are well crafted because they were dedicated to the gods (see Acropolis Museum and the British Museum).
The action culminates at the centre of the pediment, while on its corners the intensity decreases according to the size of the space. The pediments have full-body sculptures. Even the non-visible parts are well crafted because they were dedicated to the gods (see Acropolis Museum and the British Museum).
The architectural parts of the temple. Its architects were Iktinos and Callikrates.
The architectural parts of the temple. Its architects were Iktinos and Callikrates.
The plan of the temple
The plan of the temple
Picture by Greece Is
Picture by Greece Is

Location

Timeline

Modern and Contemporary era (1821 - )

1833 It becomes a symbol of the new Greek kingdom.

1896 The first restoration by archaeologist Balanos begins.

1923 The second restoration by archaeologist Balanos begins.

Ottoman era (1453- 1821)

1460 The Parthenon is converted into a mosque with a minaret.

1687 It was used by the Turks as to store ammunition and was bombarded by the Venetians during the siege of the Acropolis. A few years later, the Ottomans built a small mosque without a minaret.

1801 Lord Elgin obtained permission from the Sultan to design the monument and remove only fragments that had fallen on the ground. Elgin, however, forcibly removed both a huge part of the temple sculptures and a caryatid from the Erechtheion, and transported them to England.

Byzantine era (331 AC- 1453)

In the 4th century AD, the Parthenon was repaired and later converted into a Christian church. This conversion brought irreparable damage to the temple.

1205 During the Rule of the Venetians, the Parthenon was converted to a Catholic church dedicated to the Virgin Mary.

Roman era (30 BC- 330 AC)

267 A.D. It was repaired after serious damage caused by the Heruli.

Hellenistic era (322- 31 BC)
Classical era (478-323 BC)

447 ΒC Beginning of construction.

438 BC Completion.

432 BC The sculptural decoration of Pheidias was completed through the efforts of about 90 workers.

Archaic era (800-479 BC)

Pre-Parthenon’s construction begins after 490 BC. This older temple will be burned in 480 BC by the Persians before its completion.

Geometric era (-1100- 800 BC)
Prehistory (-1100 BC)

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