Doric Temple Research Paper

Many similar characteristics are used throughout the Classical and Early Empire when the construction of temples was being built. Though old techniques were used, the advancement of new methods were being introduced to build faster, stronger, and in different shapes and sizes. We will discuss the Parthenon and the Pantheon; though similar in name, they do have some differences that represent the Greek and Roman styles.

Many people consider the Parthenon to be an extraordinary building. Why is this building so celebrated and influential? The purpose of this paper is to discuss some of the building’s history, examine the intricate architectural choices, and explore the extent to which selected Classically-inspired architectural works have taken influence from the Parthenon.

The Athenian Greeks at the height of their power built a temple called the Parthenon which was a monument to their core values of perfectionism, humanism, and rationalism. It is important to understand that the human eye has imperfections which deceive the mind, so one can understand the unique steps that were taken to achieve the illusion of perfection to the human eye. The Greeks loved perfection, and as seen in the Parthenon, the Greek architects purposely made the Parthenon imperfect to account for the imperfections in the human eye. This was done so that when one views the Parthenon with the naked eye, it appears to be perfectly symmetrical, straight, and proportional. The entire Parthenon does not have a single right angle. An example of the Greeks compensating for the imperfections of the human eye is seen in the base of the Parthenon, which from a picture or in real life looks perfectly straight, but in reality it is actually curved slightly upward. It is curved because the Greeks knew that if you have a perfectly flat base for a building, it appears curved to the human eye. To account for that, the Greeks made it so that the base was already curved. The Greeks also curved the columns of the Parthenon inward, because if the columns were straight, it would appear to be curving outward. Again, the Greeks knew about how the human eye deceives the mind, and decided that they must trick the eye to please the mind. This was all done because the Greeks strived for

“The Parthenon was commissioned by Pericles sometime after Greek victories over the Persians between 490 and 480 BC” (Glancey 26, 27). During the Persian Greek wars, Athens believed that Athena watched over them and that she helped them throughout the war. The Parthenon represents the wealth, power, society, and culture of Athens. The building of the Parthenon cost the Athenians four hundred and sixty nine talents, which symbolized Athens as wealthy.

The ionic frieze of the Parthenon was considered by the Italian traveler and antiquarian Cyriac of Ancona as one of the “noblest images” of the Parthenon. The ionic frieze measures some 160-meters, or 524 feet, and is visible along the upper walls of the cella in addition to across the two porches. Cyriac was one of the first individuals to have sketched the figures on the frieze. The subject of the ionic frieze according to Cyriac was “the victories of the Athenians”. The Doric frieze of the Parthenon in the past presented 92 polychromatic carvings.

The Parthenon and the Pantheon are both amazing and detailed buildings. Although the Parthenon was built in Athens and the Pantheon in Rome, both of these buildings share some similarities, but are also different as well. In this paper I will share how the similarities and differences between Ancient Greece and Rome are seen in these two buildings.

Constructed in 432 BCE, the Parthenon was a famous temple that the Greeks made for Athena, one of the Gods that they believed in. The Parthenon is the most famous Doric structure. Made of limestone and Pentelic marble, “a material that was utilized for the first time”, the structure’s main objective was to hold the statue of Athena made of gold and ivory.

The Parthenon in Athens and the Pantheon in Rome are two of the most influential buidlings of modern and ancient architecture, and are often confused. It’s easy to see why a person would get the two confused, there are some amazing similarities. However, once you have explored each structure in a bit more depth, you wonder how you could have confused them in the first place.

Let’s do a quick background check on the history and materials of the original Parthenon. On the rare and unbelievable chance you’ve never heard of or seen this amazing structure, allow me to try to paint a picture of it in your head.

The Greeks created an astonishing and long lasting legacy of architecture. Ancient Greek architecture is still displayed today, through the beauty and abundance of talent incorporated in the structures spread across the land. The Parthenon is still standing today although some parts of the structure have been worn away over the years. Many people visit the Parthenon to learn more about the history of Ancient Greece. The structure is very detailed and complex from its unique principles and components. When the Athenians built this temple they were at the highest of their riches and could afford great building materials that help keep some parts of the structure still standing tall today. The temple not only represented great riches, it was

First and foremost, the Parthenon in Athens is a precursor of Doric temples, built in the 5th century BCE. As The British Museum (n.d.) indicated, it “had a number of refined architectural features that made it special such as gently curving columns and base”(p.4), which the

“The Parthenon is a Doric temple supported by ionic columns. It has a rectangular floor and is made entirely from marble, with a limestone base. An ionic frieze runs around its exterior walls. The east pediment narrates the birth of Athena, while the west pediment shows the contest between Athena and Poseidon to become the city’s patron god. “

2. The Parthenon’s is a rectangle with rows of white columns all over. There are eight columns standing on each end of the building and with seventeen columns on the longer sides. It has three steps surrounding the building. It's damaged with piles of rubble surrounding it. There are horses and people sculpted on top of the columns. The roof and ceiling are missing.The Pathenon included the cella inside the colonnades. At the end of the room there was a gold and white statue of Athena Parthenos that was armed with a spear, helmet,

Whether simplistic or complex in style, the Greek Parthenon and the Roman Pantheon, respectively, exhibit uniqueness of their era. Each showcases wonderful and historic characteristics of architecture throughout the passage of time. This essay will explain the similarities and differences in the use and functionality between these two ancient temples.

The influence for which the set design of The Clash of the Titans was based upon the High Classical period, where the differing orders were clearly represented. The original I have chosen is one of the most well known Greek Temples, the Parthenon; it is the most influential of the architectural monuments as well as one of the most admired. The Parthenon was built as a temple to honor the Goddess of War, Wisdom, City and Civilization, Athena; she was deemed the protector of Athens, where the temple is located. The construction of this temple at the Acropolis began around 490 BCE and ended in 438 BCE. The Parthenon itself was a composite of both Doric and Ionic orders as it was located in between the eastern and western regions of Greece. The Doric order of the Parthenon is what will be stressed for its significance, as it related to the Temple located in Argos.