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Ancient Greek Architecture And Its Influence On Architecture

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Architecture is art in the form of building structures, and can have both practical and symbolic purposes. It is, however, much more than just building or just art. The architecture of a civilization speaks of its people and their story, emphasizes their values, and announces their greatness. A structure whose architect was inspired by other cultures not only tells of its own civilization, history, and character, but that of the other influencing peoples as well. The story of peoples is told by their monuments through the ages, captivating and inspiring those who come later, in future generations and future civilizations. In the long history of human culture and art, perhaps no greater influence on architecture has taken place than that …show more content…

Greek architecture spans from 900 B.C.E. to the first century C.E. (Becker, n.d., para. 2), and continues to profoundly influence modern building and artwork. Greek design is diverse, diverse, and powerful. It is laden with symbolism, and heavy with emotion. Perhaps no other work of art or structure so completely speaks of the strength and longevity of the ancient Greek culture than the Periclean Parthenon. The Parthenon has sat, through the ages, in its ancient splendor at the top of the Athens acropolis since it was built between 447 and 438 B.C.E. Built as a temple to honor Athena, the city's patron goddess, no detail nor expense was spared in its construction and artistic refinement, including a lavish 40 foot ivory and gold statue of the Greek Goddess Athena. Indeed, the Parthenon became the largest Doric Greek Temple, and as a marble, gold, and ivory monument to the goddess and her city, it follows logically that the ancient Greeks also used the wealth-symbolizing Parthenon as a government treasury for their …show more content…

Both temples were built to replace earlier temples, with the Parthenon replacing an earlier temple of Athena, and the Pantheon replacing an earlier private temple constructed by Agrippa, Caesar Augustus' heir. Both structures are still standing, but although the Parthenon is no longer used except as a museum, the Pantheon still functions as a Roman Catholic Church (Ask, n.d., para.

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