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Essay on The Parthenon- A Culture in Itself

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One of the most impressive accomplishments of Ancient Greece is the remarkable structure of the Parthenon on the Acropolis. The Parthenon is one of the most inspiring works of architecture known to mankind. The project of the extraordinary Acropolis was taken on by one of the most influential leaders of history, Pericles. Pericles influenced not only the building of one of the grandest works but the example of democracy displayed by the Greeks. The architecture was unique for its time, it featured excellent structure,the breathtaking Metopes featuring the epic battles of the gods, the Frieze a detailed sculpture displaying a procession of Greeks, and was built to house the magnificent statue of Athena adorned in gold. The Parthenon was …show more content…

The Parthenon was built to express greatness of their influential society and honor the goddess Athena. The Golden Age of Athens is some times referred to as the Age of Pericles, one of the greatest leaders seen throughout our history. The Parthenon would not have been possible without the efforts and supervision of Pericles, one of the greatest historical leaders. Pericles dominated Greek politics for over twenty years. He gained his political start with the help of Ephialtes, together they reorganized the voting process to involve a popular assembly destroying the power of the Areopagus or the old noble council. This action completely reformed the democratic system in Athens. This reform was affluential part to the legend of the power of Athenian democracy. (PBS) Many critiques of Pericles made gabs at this personal life in which his first wife born him two legitimate sons, he later divorced her. His later foreign lover was Aspasia she was described by Socrates as the most intelligent and witty woman of her time. Pericles treated her as an equal, which was unheard of during that age. They lived together but were never married. It was common for them to host the most intellectual company for parties and conversation. Pericles was forced to defend Aspasia in a trial has he later gained power, and the only way his rivals could harm Pericles was by attacking those that were close to him.(PBS)

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