Cultural Significance

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Besides showcasing the Athenians significant stories and myths, the Parthenon was constructed to house the large statue, Athena Parthenos. The Athena Parthenos is a near 40 foot tall statue that was created by Phidias an Athenian sculptor who is considered to be the initiator of the idealist and classical style that later identifies Greek art in the later 5th and 4th centuries (Phidias, briticanna.com). Completed in 438, the statue of the Greek goddess of wisdom was made of chryselephantine or gold and ivory. This ginormous statue embodies the many aspects that make her the Greek goddess of wisdom, war and strategy. Her breastplate is adorned with the snakes from the head of Medusa and her left hand rest on top of her shield which shelters more snakes. On her helmet rest a sphinx that is flanked by two Pegasi. Athena stands, with her hand extended holding Nike (Victory) to the Athenian citizens. This could possibly relate back to the metopes that show the Athenians many triumphs over foreign forces or their victories through wisdom. The sculpture was made on a wooden core then covered with a series of bronze and gold plates while the ivory was saved for the surfaces of the goddess’s face and arms. To the Athenians, this statue symbolized Unfortunately the original has been is lost, some say it burned in a fire in the 5th Century while others believe it was looted by a Roman Emperor.

The Athenian people were proud and carried the name of their patron goddess in everything they did, that much is evident through the Parthenon. The attention to detail that is seen all throughout the temple shows how much the Athenian valued their goddess. The temple was an expression of Athenian wealth, victory and political and cultural superiority. The Parthenon was an embodiment of the people’s beliefs, conceptions, values, myths and ideologies and will forever be seen as a unique symbol of cultural power and significance.

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Work Cited

01.29.08, Posted. "The Glorious Parthenon." PBS. PBS, 29 Jan. 2008. Web. 2016.

Cartwright, Mark. "Parthenon." Ancient History Encyclopedia. N.p., 28 Oct. 2012. Web. 2016.

The Editors of Encyclopædia Britannica. "Parthenon." Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica, n.d. Web. 13 July 2016.

The Editors of Encyclopædia Britannica. "Phidias." Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica, n.d. Web. 30 June 2016.

"Parthenon Metopes." Parthenon Metopes. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 July 2016.