Parthenon Analysis

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Summary notes for presentation on Greek Architecture.
Question: Why is the Parthenon regarded as the finest example of the architecture of Ancient Greece? Consider the building’s siting, design, detailing, materials, and cultural significance.

The Parthenon is now the most famous example of Architecture because of its simple, clear and self explanatory design with ingenious structural features that is very subtly incorporated to achieve not only a degree of great engineering but also a sense of sacred perfection in the viewer. Eight columns wide and seventeen columns long, it mainly follows the Doric order structurally with its slightly convexed1 and tapered columns to better support the megalithic travises. The entasis of the columns also reduces the illusion of concavity created by straight shafts in columns2 to allow the viewers to experience it as a perfect building deemed enough for the patron goddess Athena. Its robust, strong columns and simple layout allow clarity for the viewer to understand what the building is structurally doing. The Parthenon outer walls and columns are also slightly tilted; and …show more content…

But the columns and its drums are made of Pentelic marble, a material that was transported from Mount Pentelikon10 to the great capital. The process of building the Parthenon has created thousands of jobs for everyone from stonemasons to sculptors.11 Plutarch even claimed that“every age-group and type of person12” benefited from the economical profits. This symbol of prosperity is also enhanced by the fact that the Parthenon also stored riches in its treasury.1314 Not only did this bring an economical prosperity tint to the temple 's significance, but since every citizen 's effort was poured into this building, the Parthenon was also considered as the unification of all

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