Study Questions
1) How is the Parthenon different from earlier Greek temples?
2) Why was it built?
3) What is the significance of the combination of Doric and Ionic elements in the same temple? [Answer]
Both seem to point not only to Athens' interest in reasserting her connections with the Ionians but also seems to have been dictated by a kind of artistic "hubris," a determination to load every available space with decoration and to show what unlimited money could achieve.
4) What are messages that the Athenians were trying to convey through the (a) frieze, (b) metopes, (c) pedimental sculptures? [Answer]
When one considers the pediment sculptures, the metopes, and the frieze together, a glorious picture of Athens is produced-- Athens, beloved of Athena and the rest of the Olympian family, the saviour of Greece from the barbarian, the center of Greek culture and thus the "teacher of Hellas." Athens was making it clear that she was truly majestic and worthy of her role of leader among the Ionians and the rest of Hellas. Moreover, we must not forget that Athena was important to the Ionians as well, and by usurping her, Athens made it clear that she was the natural leader of the Ionians.
5) Who was the intended audience for this temple? [Answer]
Athenians, members of the Athenian Empire, visitors from other Greek states. All intended to emphasize central importance of Athens within her own Empire and the Greek world more generally.
6) How do the Parthenon sculptures compare stylistically to the sculptures of the Temple of Aphaia at Aegina?
7) Examine this metope. How has the artist utilized the space available on the metope? How does the artist convey movement? How would you describe the artist’s rendering of the human body? How successful is the artist?
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