THE PARTHENON

Question 1

Who sacked Athens, in the year 480BC?

Answer 1

The Persians

Question 2

When Athens was burnt to the ground, the main religious buildings were destroyed. where were these situated?

Answer 2

The Athenian Acropolis.

Question 3

TRUE OR FALSE; after the Persian attack, Athenians allied with other Greeks to counter the threat.

Answer 3

True. Athens allied with other Greek Nations.

Question 4

What is, now, known as the ‘Delian League’?

Answer 4

A navel alliance, which Athens became head of - post Persian Attack.

Question 5

As a statement to Athens’ power, what did the leading politician do? (450s BC)

Answer 5

moved the treasury of the Delian League to Athens.

Question 6

WHO was the leading politician? (flashcard #5 relevant)

Answer 6

Pericles.

Question 7

TRUE OR FALSE; Athens invested lots of money to rebuild its town.

Answer 7

True, a large-scale building programme was put in place to restore Athens.

Question 8

The focal point of Athens rebuild was the Acropolis, a sanctuary dedicated to…

Answer 8

Athena.

Question 9

What had Pericles hoped Athens would become?

Answer 9

The architectural centre of the known world.

Question 10

Which building was most prominent in Athens’ architectural programme?

Answer 10

The Parthenon.

Question 11

The Acropolis focused on the worship of whom?

Answer 11

Athena, Athens’ patron goddess.

Question 12

Which temple from the Acropolis was the main in worship for Athens’ patron goddess?

Answer 12

The Erechtheion.

Question 13

TRUE OR FALSE; The Erechtheion housed a large statue of Athena.

Answer 13

False, the temple housed a small, wooden statue of Athena.

Question 14

What stood outside the the Erechtheion?

Answer 14

The Altar of Athena Polias - where the sacrifices took place.

Question 15

Why did the Parthenon not have its own altar or priesthood?

Answer 15

It was an addition to the cult of the Acropolis.

Question 16

As a temple to Athena Parthenos, the Parthenon housed what?

Answer 16

The city’s treasury.

Question 17

On which pediment is Athena’s birth depicted?

Answer 17

The east pediment, above the entrance.

Question 18

What is depicted on the Western pediment?

Answer 18

Athena’s contest against Poseidon for who would become the patron of -then- Cecropia.

Question 19

What would visitors see, upon entering the Acropolis?

Answer 19

A huge statue of Athena Promachos (‘to go before- battle’)

Question 20

Where, in the Acropolis, was the small temple of Athena Nike (victory) situated?

Answer 20

the south-eastern corner.

Question 21

Which temple was located in the north of the Acropolis?

Answer 21

The Erechtheion.

Question 22

The Parthenon was located where?

Answer 22

south-east side of the Acropolis.

Question 23

What was The Parthenon dedicated to?

Answer 23

Athena Parthenos (the Virgin).

Question 24

What does Athena Polias mean and where was the altar to Athena Polias?

Answer 24

It means Athena of the city, the altar was located in-between the Erechtheion and the Parthenon.

Question 25

TRUE OR FALSE; the Parthenon was only small in size.

Answer 25

False, it measures 69.5m in length and 30.9 metres in width.

Question 26

What are some similarities the Parthenon shares with a typical Greek temple?

Answer 26

• east to west orientation
• three step base
• surrounded by a colonnade
• had a naos and opisthodomos

Question 27

What ‘unique feature’ did the Parthenon have?

Answer 27

a second row of columns, which supported an ionic freize (540ft long - surrounding the entire temple.)

Question 28

Where in the Parthenon is the statue of Athena located, and how tall does it stand?

Answer 28

It is located in the naos and it stands 13-metres tall.

Question 29

Who designed the cult statue of Athena?

Answer 29

Phidias

Question 30

What year was the cult statue of Athena added to the Parthenon?

Answer 30

438BC.

Question 31

What materials is namely ‘chryselephantine’?

Answer 31

Gold and Ivory.

Question 32

What is depicted in the middle of Athena’s helmet?

Answer 32

The sphinx.

Question 33

Whose head is depicted in ivory on the chest of the cult statue of Athena?

Answer 33

Medusa.

Question 34

Whose head is depicted in ivory on the chest of the cult statue of Athena?

Answer 34

Medusa.

Question 35

Which two objects is the statue of Athena holding?

Answer 35

Athena Nike and a spear.

Question 36

A shield and what lay at her feet?

Answer 36

A serpent.