The Parthenon was a temple to the patron goddess of Athens, Athena. Located atop Athens's Acropolis, the Parthenon was an architectural masterpiece. It was constructed between 447 and 432 BCE by the Greek sculptor Phidias and the Greek architects Ictenus and Callicrates. It the largest temple in Greece. However, subtle elements used in the construction create amazing effects. All of the 46 massive stone columns lean inward slightly, the flutes on the columns taper off a bit near the top and the columns get thinner near the top. When used together these elements create the illusion of «upthrusting motion». The illusion is most effective from a distance, when seen in contrast to the wall of the Acropolis. The Parthenon was made of white marble from Mount Pentelicus (however over time the marble's color has changed to a light yellowish beige). It stands approximately 60 feet high and has an area of 30,030 feet. The Parthenon contains two rooms. One room served as a treasury and the other once contained a large statue of Athena.

Perhaps the most dramatic feature of the Parthenon was the sculpture by Phidias. Since the temple was a tribute to Athena, the sculpture centered around her. The western side of the roof depicted the battle between her and Poseidon over control of Athens. The eastern side depicted her birth. On the outer wall above the columns there were 92 metopes (sculptured panels) depicting battle scenes involving heroes and gods. They included the Trojan war, the Greeks fighting the Amazons, and the gods against the Titans. Along the walls of the enclosed room of the Parthenon a festival honoring Athena was shown, depicting the men and women of Athens. The Parthenon focused on Athena and the greatness of the city of Athens.

The Parthenon shows the architectural innovation ad nd the artistic genius of the Athenians. It shows the spirit and culture of Athens and is a history in itself.

• The Three Greek Orders of Architecture

Greek architecture is broken down into three orders. These orders were determined by the way that the top or capital of each column was sculpted. The first order was called the Doric Order. This was the most simple of the three. It was only meant for sturdiness, not for beauty. The second order was called

• The Trojan War

The Trojan War took place in approximately the 13th century. The ancient Greeks defeated the City of Troy. The Trojan War started after an incident at the wedding feast of Peleus, the king of Thessaly, and Thetis, a sea goddess. All the gods and goddesses of Mt. Olympus had been invited except Eris, the goddess

• Twelve Gods of Olympus

This essay is a summary of the information about the twelve principal gods in the Greek mythology taken from both ancient and modern sources. Here we will discuss the primary Greek gods, their origin, individuality, attitudes towards them their portrayal in the ancient mythology and literature up to the fifth century BC, as well as goals

• Ideas of the Parthenon

The Greek people of the 5th century BC created a culture that was deeply rooted in philosophy and the arts. Their endless search for their place in the grand scheme of the universe and in nature around them influenced everything in their lives especially their love of the arts. Their drama, sculpture, and even architecture

• Greek Architecture Essay

The architecture of ancient Greece is represented by buildings in the sanctuaries and cities of mainland Greece, the Aegean islands, southern Italy and Sicily, and the Ionian coast of Turkey. Monumental Greek architecture began in the archaic period, flourished through the classical and Hellenistic periods, and saw the first of many revivals during the Roman