Parthenon Essay Flashcards
What are the 3 paragraphs about in the Parthenon essay?
Entasis/Golden Ratio
Materials/Friezes/Metopes
Dedication to Athena/About the cult statue/Friezes depicting scenes
Who was the parthenon constructed and supervised by?
Constructed by architects Iktinos and Kallikrates and supervised by sculptor Phidias.
Where is the Parthenon located and what is the reason behind it?
The Parthenon is located at the top of the Athenian Acropolis and the reason behind this is so the Parthenon would have a clear view of the land and sea - which was needed to secure territory for Athens.
What does the Parthenon house?
Athena Parthenos, pediment figures, metopes, friezes, waterspouts, antefixes, and acroteria.
What is Entasis?
Entasis refers to a slight convex curvature of the columns and the stylobate, and the columns are slightly tapered and bowed outwards.
What is Entasis’ purpose?
Entasis’ use of the Parthenon gives the impression that the temple is more perfect, and gives the illusion that the temple has straight lines and perfection. The architects of the Parthenon did this on purpose and created several different optical illusions to enhance visual appeal. Entasis also appeals to the Gods as it makes the temple appear perfect.
Key Points about the Parthenon’s plan
Parthenon is built on a perfectly symmetrical plan. It has a equal number of columns on each side with two cellas (rooms).The proportions of the temple and how they are carefully calculated
What is the Golden Ratio and what does it create a sense of?
The Golden Ratio refers to the 4:9 rule for the columns of a temple. The Golden ratio is often applied to achieve visual appeal in buildings and constructions. It creates a sense of balance and harmony.
How does the Parthenon resemble the Golden Ratio?
The Parthenon has 8 columns on either end, and 17 on the longer side (peripteral). Parthenon represents the Golden Ratio and perfect symmetry of the Parthenon as it exhibits within the relationship between its height and width, as well as pediments and friezes.
What were the materials used when constructing the Parthenon?
The Parthenon was constructed using very high-quality materials which included - Pentelic Marble, Limestone, Terracotta, and Wood.
The materials and what created a sense of precision and refinement?
The use of these materials combined with the craftsmanship of the builders and architects created a sense of precision and refinement.
What was the benefits of using Pentelic marble in the Parthenon?
The Pentelic marble was carefully selected and carved to ensure that each element of the temple was visually pleasing and finely detailed. The marble also adds a pure white colour and a smooth, polished surface.
What order is the temple and what is borrowed from other orders?
The Parthenon combines elements of Doric and Ionian orders, meaning that the Parthenon is a Doric temple that features a sculpted frieze borrowed from the Ionic order, as well as four columns supporting the roof of the building.
What scenes do the Ionic friezes depict and what’s the purpose of this?
The Ionic frieze depicts scenes from Greek mythology and history including Panathenaic procession. This makes the temple visually appealing but also invite and entertain viewers into the mythological world from ancient Athens and Greece. It adds visual interest and narrative to the temples design.
What is a frieze and what is its purpose?
The frieze is a long, narrow, horizontal panel or band used for decorative purpose on temples.
