The Parthenon Flashcards
(12 cards)
What was the Parthenon?
A temple to Athena in Athens
Where was the Parthenon located?
On the Acropolis, which was a walled area on a hill, where the temples of the city were kept.
How did people enter the Acropolis?
Through the Propylaea. It was designed to be impressive as well as functional
What did the Acropolis contain?
Various buildings including several temples and the Treasury building (where public money was kept). The Parthenon was the most famous and important building there
What did the East Pediment of the Parthenon depict?
The birth of Athena (from Zeus’ head)
What did the West Pediment of the Parthenon depict?
The battle between Poseidon and Athena to be the patron god of Athens. The people chose Athena
What is a metope?
A small square containing a 3D carving. They are normally separated by triglyphs (a band of 3 vertical lines). The walls of a temple often contain a series of metopes following a particular story or event.
What myth is depicted on the North side of the Parthenon?
The Trojan war
What myth is depicted on the South side of the Parthenon?
The battle of the centaurs and the Lapiths. The Lapiths were a group of people who fought the centaurs when they tried to kidnap the bride at a wedding feast. These are the best preserved metopes.
What myth is depicted on the East side of the Parthenon?
The Gigantomachy - a battle between the gods and the giants
What myth is depicted on the West side of the Parthenon?
a battle between the Greeks and the Amazons
The statue of Athena
The statue of Athena would have been found in the naos. The statue was about 12.8m high, and was built by Phidias, a famous Greek sculptor and architect. The statue was made of gold and ivory. The statue has no been lost
