Parthenon

The Parthenon is the temple of the Greek patron goddess Athena, daughter of Zeus, on the acropolis in Athens, Greece.

Parthenon comes from the Greek word “parthenos,” which means “virgin.” Athena was attributed to virginity and, therefore, was also sometimes called Athena Parthenos (“Athena the Virgin”); hence the name of the temple.

Directed by Pericles, the Parthenon was built between 447 and 432 B.C., to honor Athena and to commemorate the victory over the Persians. The architects were two men named Ictinus and Callicrates, and the sculptures were by a man named Phidias, including a great gold and ivory statue of Athena, the Athena Parthenos, which was made for the interior.

The Parthenon is regarded as the finest example of Doric order, one of the three orders of Greek architecture. In classical architecture, order means style, and the elements and decoration used for a column. The Doric order is characterized by a simple and austere column and capital.

Damaged during a bombardment in 1687 by Venetians fighting the Turks, remains of the Parthenon are still standing today and restoration work is still being done.

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