Parthenon
The fifth century BCE, in Athens, was a time of great prosperity and culture. Democracy became the new government. In 449 BCE, after years of war, the unsuccessful Persians made peace, and in 445 BCE the hostilities with Sparta (Athens' long time rival) subsided. The conclusion of warfare left Athens with unnecessary money from the Delian league. Pericles, General of Athens, used this money to complete the rebuilding and beautification of Athens; with Phidias as artistic supervisor. The concrete symbol of this rebirth is the Parthenon, a temple to Athena, the patron Goddess of Athens. Standing tall and proud on top of the Acropolis, it was the largest temple of its kind on the Greek peninsula. Construction began in 447 BCE and was finished shortly thereafter in 438 BCE. (Kebric, p.142-143) The sacred and the secular meet at the Parthenon, symbolizing Athens' piety and greatness. The sheer size and quality of the Parthenon is a specific statement about how Athenians viewed themselves and how they wished to be viewed in fifth century BCE Greece. The Parthenon stands as a symbol of the strength, superiority, and power of Athens and is, in fact, a form of propaganda. All aspects of the Parthenon unite to serve
Another great source of pride for Athenians and a symbol of their wealth was the gigantic cult statue of Athena, Athena Parthenos, inside the hall. The decoration is rich and makes the Parthenon as much a treasury as a temple. Strong and confident high above the city of Athens, the Parthenon sits depicting Athens' glorious military where-with-all, divine history, and superior civilization. The building itself is impressive and sends a clear message of the power of Athens, but the sculpture and the inside decoration further reinforce the message of the strength and superiority of Athens. Together the interior and exterior of the Parthenon serve as a testimony to the glory of Athens. The Parthenon is monumental yet inviting. 243) Not only does this sculpture group show the divine heritage of Athens, it is also a reminder of the Athenian sculptor's skills. as one clear message about the strength and power of 5th century BCE Athens. Although it is lost today, we know much about the Athena Parthenos through literature. The Athena Parthenos symbolized the merging of the secular and the sacred in Athens because she was dressed, literally, with the wealth of Athens, and placed in a temple to her which also held the treasury of Athens. On the east, we see Gods and giants in combat, on the west, Greeks versus the Amazons, and on the north is a battle of the Greeks and the Trojans. On the south the battle of the Lapiths and the Centaurs is depicted. On the base the birth of Pandora is represented in relief.
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Acceptance Essays
