The Temple of Athena Nike

983 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Athena and her importance in the Odyssey

The Temple of Athena Nike exemplifies the early Greek belief that the gods, specifically Athena, held divine providence over government and victory in war. It was built as part of the same project as the Parthenon, one of the greatest achievements of Mycenaean Greece. Lasting from 1300-1000 B.C.E, Mycenaean Greece bordered Epirus, Macedonia, Phrace, Phryapa, Mysia, Caria, and Lydia. Encompassing this time span, Ancient Greece lasted from 8000 to 50 B.C.E. The achievements of Athens in this time include the Pythagorean Theorem and the Socratic dialogues. The epic Trojan War was said to have occurred in Mycenaean times as well. So were the Ionic Greeks who built this ancient temple. (Ancient-Greece.org)(about ancient history.com)

In the style of Ancient Greece, the Temple of Athena Nike is filled with symbolism. Its wall is covered in a magnificent fresco, which is still of interest to artists today for its depiction of technique and culture. The central statue of Athena holds a pomegranate, which was an ancient symbol of good luck, righteousness, and bounty. Also, this incredible statue has been known as "wingless Athena," because her wings were taken out so that she wouldn't fly away. Even the contrast between the temple's slender Ionic pillars and their rocky surroundings was a representation of the contrast between Athena's gender and her violent domain. Such is the symbolism of the Temple of Athena Nike. (thinkquest.org)(Reidel, Brown.edu)

Architecture also held a strong connection to government and warfare. The Temple of Athena Nike was chiefly built and used during wartime as a base. Hence, the afore-mentioned statue was considered a good-luck charm. Athena was often presented with sacrifices for wisdom and ability ...

... middle of paper ...

...ian-War.htm.

"People of the Past>Theodorus Kolokotronis" messinia guide.gr. Retrieved February 7, 2010. http://www.messinia-guide.gr/item.asp?lang=en&item=139&category=146.

"Temple of Athena Nike" Ancient-Greece.org. Retrieved January 19, 2010. http://ancient-greece.org/architecture/athena-nike.html.

"The Acropolis on Athens: Pathways to Ancient Myth" Calvin.edu. Calvin Institute. Retrieved January 22, 2010. http://www.calvin.edu/academic/clas/pathways/acropoli/ahis1.htm.

"The ancient city of Athens" Thinkquest.org. Retrieved January 21, 2010. http://library.thinkquest.org/17709/cities/athens.html.

"Welcome to the Temple of Athena Nike" Acropolis.co. Retrieved January 21, 2010. http://www.evere.co.uk/d'evere/athens/00/19.

Papers:

Norris, Michael. Greek Art: From Prehistoric to Classical. New York, New York: Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2000

Show More
Related

  • Comparison of Ancient Greek Pottery

    1060 Words  | 3 Pages

    Throughout the history of Ancient Greece thousands of great works of art were produced. Works were created in many different media, ranging from life-size statues to larger than life architectural structures. One type of art that can sometimes be overlooked, though, is pottery. There are many examples of great Greek pottery, but the two that will be used as a sample are Artemis Slaying Actaeon and Woman and Maid. By considering the backgrounds of these works, and comparing them directly we are able get a taste not only of the artistic styles of the time, but also a taste of ancient Greek culture.

    Read More

  • Athena's Well-Known Olympian Goddesses

    1496 Words  | 3 Pages

    (3) Using her immense amount of wisdom, she became a major problem solver in the war world. (8) Even though Athena may seem like she had a multiple personality disorder, the different parts of her wisdom actually serve to “balance each other out.”(8) A couple objects associated with the goddess include an owl which is a symbol of wisdom and an olive tree in which she gifted to

    Read More

  • Why Was the Parthenon Dedicated to Athena?

    516 Words  | 2 Pages

    The Parthenon was an amazing and important temple. Dedicated to Athena, the goddess of war and wisdom, it was a very important temple to the Greeks. Greeks worshiped all of their gods by building temples for them and giving sacrifices. Most of the sacrifices were sacred tiles designed especially for the gods, not many were human.

    Read More

  • Sparta: Infrastructure, Social Structure, and Superstructure

    1515 Words  | 4 Pages

    Burckhardt, Jacob, The Greeks and Greek Civilization, St. Martin’s Press, 175 Fifth Ave, New York, NY 10010, 1998.

    Read More

  • The Head of Poseidon

    1325 Words  | 3 Pages

    "NATIONAL ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM OF ATHENS - OFFICIAL SITE." NATIONAL ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM OF ATHENS - OFFICIAL SITE. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Apr. 2014. .

    Read More

  • Athena's Impact on the Lives of Ancient Greeks

    1023 Words  | 3 Pages

    Athena was the Greek Goddess of many ideas, but she was famous mostly for her superior wisdom, her cunning skills in times of war, and her implausible talent for household tasks, such as weaving and pottery. She was celebrated more than any other God in ancient mythology, was the supposed inventor of countless innovations, and her figure gave reason for Greek women to gain rights long before others of their time. The goddess of war, the guardian of Athens, and the defender of Heroes; Athena’s impact on the lives of Ancient Greeks is outstanding. As a resident on Mount Olympus, Athena rightfully represents both intelligence and strategy (Grant, Hazel 83). Symbols that identify with the goddess include the owl for wisdom and the olive branch for peace (Athena or Minerva. 1).

    Read More

  • Athena Parthenos: The Goddess of Wisdom

    861 Words  | 2 Pages

    The Greeks believed the deities provided the city protection and allowed them to be successful in their endeavors while in time of war. Phidias, a master bronze worker, was commissioned to create the sculpture of Athena Parthenos, the goddess of wisdom to show tribute to the gods by creating a large scale sculpture in Acropolis. The Acropolis was the most important site in the city of Athens, and was well recognized as the hilltop of protection. It is also the most significant reference point of ancient Greek culture as well as the symbol of the city of Athens. Some of the greatest architectural masterpieces of the period were erected on its ground.

    Read More

  • Propaganda and National Pride in Building the Parthenon

    2500 Words  | 5 Pages

    Brief History Though the Persian wars were possibly over before the Parthenon was being considered, the wars played a vital role for Athens and her temples. During the wars, the armies of Persia attacked Athens and sacked the city leaving much of it in ruins, including the new temple in honour of Athene atop the Acropolis that was under construction. During the struggle, many of the states in Greece joined together to fight against the Persians and decided that they should not rebuild any of the temples that had been destroyed by the Persians to have an eternal memory of the devastation they caused and the lack of respect they have for religion. The once impressive city of Athens was reduced to dust, with small basic houses and nothing really imposing.

    Read More

  • The Human Body in Ancient Greek Sculptures

    1006 Words  | 3 Pages

    "Greek artists…explored people’s experienced, interactions with the natural world,and human relations to the gods. Everyday people were represented in Greek art…" (Emory)

    Read More

  • Athena Essay

    583 Words  | 2 Pages

    I will give you 3 examples of how Athena used he military cunning to pass challenges:-

    Read More

  • Religion In Ancient Greek Religion

    1948 Words  | 4 Pages

    Greek palaces and temples, consisting of massive columns, were built for the gods or other religious purposes. The temples found at the center of the polis, the acropolis, were made as earthen dwellings for the gods, a place for storage of sacred objects and offerings, and also served out tasks for the polis such as keeping records. Temples, along with other sacred places were sometimes only open to certain peoples or cults, and people who were not ritually purified or had “religious pollution” were not allowed to enter sacred places (Adkins & Adkins 338). The fact that the religion centers are in the middle of the cities symbolizes how Greek religion was central to Grecian life, it was one of the most important things to them. The temples also represent the architectural and cultural achievements of the Greeks. The magnificent style of these temples has influenced not only Greece but the whole world as Grecian columns have been a staple in architecture since there creation; this is even evident in the United States with buildings such as the United States Capitol, built hundreds of years after the establishment of Ancient Grecian architecture. Along with architecture, Greek art, most notably pottery and sculpture, was also influenced by religion. Greek pottery, depicting mythological and heroic scenes, and statues, portraying the human form often made in the image of gods,

    Read More

  • The Legacy of Greek and Roman Governments

    830 Words  | 2 Pages

    Archibald, Zofia. Discovering the World of the Ancient Greeks. New York: Facts On File, 1991. Print.

    Read More

  • Greek and Roman Architectural Influences in Modern Society

    1320 Words  | 3 Pages

    “Classical Greek Architecture, Function.” The World Book Encyclopedia. Vol. 1. Chicago, IL. World Book, 2009. 610-616. Print.

    Read More

  • The Architectural Evolution of the Greek Temple

    1447 Words  | 3 Pages

    Tzonis, Alexander, and Phoebi Giannisi. Classical Greek Architecture: The Construction of the Modern. Paris: Flammarion, 2004.

    Read More

  • What Happened To Alexander's Ai Khanoum?

    1675 Words  | 4 Pages

    Ancient Greek civilization has been colossally compelling on the dialect, legislative issues, instructive frameworks, rationality, art and architecture of the present day world. There are three main types of Greek architecture: Dorian, Ionic, and Corinthian. Doric architecture is sturdy and plain. It was used in mainland Greece and the colonies in southern Italy and Sicily. The temple of Poseidon at Paestum in Italy is a great example of Doric architecture along with the Valle Dei Templi, Agrigento, and the Temple of Juno. Ionic Architecture is thinner and much more elegant. It has a scroll like design and was mostly found in eastern Greece and other islands. One example is the Archaic Temple of Artemis found in Sleçuk, Turkey. It was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World and was one of the most beautiful temples built. Gibbon, a Greek architect, said, “The art of Greece was seen in that sacred and magnificent structure. It was truly a wonder of the world.” The last piece of architecture, Corinthian, was very elaborate and often decorated with acanthus leaves. There are many examples of this work because it was so regal at the time. You can find this kind of architecture at the Seat of the Universal House of Justice in Haifa, Israel, and in the Templo de Diana in Évora, Portugal; also at the Temple of Mars Ultor, Temple of Vesta in Tivoli, and even the Pantheon in Rome. Greek architecture was

    Read More

More about The Temple of Athena Nike

Open Document