The Parthenon: A Classical Monument
Jacob Evans
ARC1720 #10712; Fall 2021
Greek architecture traditionally falls into one of three periods: the Archaic Period (c.
700-500 BCE); the Classical Period (c. 479-323 BCE); and the Hellenistic Period (c. 323-31 BCE).
Regarding their works during these periods, Ancient Greeks are very well recognized for their
contributions to ancient and modern day architecture. Among the most admired pieces of
Greek architecture are the Doric, Ionic and Corinthian temples made of limestone or marble. In
addition to the temples, the Greeks also built theaters, stoas, palaces, and the bouleuterion.
Although only remnants of history remain of them to this day, numerous architectural
masterpieces were erected in Ancient Greece, with the most noteworthy being the temples.
The greatest and most well-known of the Ancient Greek temples was the Parthenon, which was
constructed during the Classical Period between 448 and 432 BCE. The temple’s construction
was ordered by the Athenian statesmen, Pericles, and built by two architects, Iktinos and
Kallikrates, and a sculptor, Phidias. The Parthenon was constructed in the Athenian Acropolis
using Pentelic marble and dedicated to the patron goddess of Athens, Greece, Athena Polias,
who was the Greek goddess of war and wisdom. In 1687, the Parthenon endured an explosion
that caused the body of the temple to collapse and destroyed much of the temple’s frieze.
While the Parthenon is not in the condition it was once was, the temple’s grand architecture
was a monumental accomplishment for Ancient Greece and remains as a proponent of
democracy, a center of religious influence and a symbol of power.
The roots of democracy can be traced back to Athens, Greece, around 510 to 500 BCE.
The origin of the word ‘democracy’ is Greek, and it is made up of two shorter words: ‘demos,’
which means the populace (or common people of Ancient Greece), and ‘kratos,’ which means
power or rule. Therefore, when combined, the Greek term ‘democracy’ translates to ‘people
