THE PARTHENON Flashcards
Who sacked Athens, in the year 480BC?
The Persians
When Athens was burnt to the ground, the main religious buildings were destroyed. where were these situated?
The Athenian Acropolis.
TRUE OR FALSE; after the Persian attack, Athenians allied with other Greeks to counter the threat.
True. Athens allied with other Greek Nations.
What is, now, known as the ‘Delian League’?
A navel alliance, which Athens became head of - post Persian Attack.
As a statement to Athens’ power, what did the leading politician do? (450s BC)
moved the treasury of the Delian League to Athens.
WHO was the leading politician? (flashcard #5 relevant)
Pericles.
TRUE OR FALSE; Athens invested lots of money to rebuild its town.
True, a large-scale building programme was put in place to restore Athens.
The focal point of Athens rebuild was the Acropolis, a sanctuary dedicated to…
Athena.
What had Pericles hoped Athens would become?
The architectural centre of the known world.
Which building was most prominent in Athens’ architectural programme?
The Parthenon.
The Acropolis focused on the worship of whom?
Athena, Athens’ patron goddess.
Which temple from the Acropolis was the main in worship for Athens’ patron goddess?
The Erechtheion.
TRUE OR FALSE; The Erechtheion housed a large statue of Athena.
False, the temple housed a small, wooden statue of Athena.
What stood outside the the Erechtheion?
The Altar of Athena Polias - where the sacrifices took place.
Why did the Parthenon not have its own altar or priesthood?
It was an addition to the cult of the Acropolis.
As a temple to Athena Parthenos, the Parthenon housed what?
The city’s treasury.
On which pediment is Athena’s birth depicted?
The east pediment, above the entrance.
What is depicted on the Western pediment?
Athena’s contest against Poseidon for who would become the patron of -then- Cecropia.
What would visitors see, upon entering the Acropolis?
A huge statue of Athena Promachos (‘to go before- battle’)
Where, in the Acropolis, was the small temple of Athena Nike (victory) situated?
the south-eastern corner.
Which temple was located in the north of the Acropolis?
The Erechtheion.
The Parthenon was located where?
south-east side of the Acropolis.
What was The Parthenon dedicated to?
Athena Parthenos (the Virgin).
What does Athena Polias mean and where was the altar to Athena Polias?
It means Athena of the city, the altar was located in-between the Erechtheion and the Parthenon.
TRUE OR FALSE; the Parthenon was only small in size.
False, it measures 69.5m in length and 30.9 metres in width.
What are some similarities the Parthenon shares with a typical Greek temple?
- east to west orientation
- three step base
- surrounded by a colonnade
- had a naos and opisthodomos
What ‘unique feature’ did the Parthenon have?
a second row of columns, which supported an ionic freize (540ft long - surrounding the entire temple.)
Where in the Parthenon is the statue of Athena located, and how tall does it stand?
It is located in the naos and it stands 13-metres tall.
Who designed the cult statue of Athena?
Phidias
What year was the cult statue of Athena added to the Parthenon?
438BC.
What materials is namely ‘chryselephantine’?
Gold and Ivory.
What is depicted in the middle of Athena’s helmet?
The sphinx.
Whose head is depicted in ivory on the chest of the cult statue of Athena?
Medusa.
Whose head is depicted in ivory on the chest of the cult statue of Athena?
Medusa.
Which two objects is the statue of Athena holding?
Athena Nike and a spear.
A shield and what lay at her feet?
A serpent.
