View from Mount Philopappos, Acropolis stands between Lycabettus Hill in the background, and the Odeon of Herod Atticus, below. - In the center : the Parthenon. From the south terrace of the Acropolis, the theater of Dionysos can be seen, and beyond the new museum. - In the background, the sea and Piraeus. - In the right side, Mount Philopappos, with the funeral monument to the top. - Down in the right corner, the Odeon. Vestiges of occupation have been discovered dating from the Bronze Age (3000 years BC.). In ancient times, Acropolis played the part of vast sanctuary for the worship of the goddess Athena and other gods of Greek mythology, the Erechtheion and the temple of Athena Nike surrounding the famous Parthenon. The Propylaea are the monument constituting the main entrance to the Acropolis in Athens. Its architecture is a mixture of Doric and Ionic styles. Begun in 437 BC, the work was never completed. - The Propylaea included a central building, a vast rectangular vestibule and two side wings. - In the north wing, the art gallery, were found wood paintings by great artists of the time, including Polygnotus (fifth century BC) - The south wing, smaller, consisted of a room containing the statue of Athena, reproduction of an old wooden statue. In front of the Propylea, stood the majestic statue of Athena Promachos, nine meters high. The Armed Athena. - From the south of the terrace, we can see the white Athens, wedged between hills on either side, and the sea in front. The city can hardly expand. -- Parthenon means literally the room (or the house) of the Virgins. He was dedicated to the goddess Athena Parthenos, protective of the city, and goddess of war and wisdom. It is not a temple in the strict sense but a building designed to house chryselephantine statue of the goddess Athena Parthenos. _ The current Parthenon was built between 447 BC and 438 BC. The light that bathed the wide central nave and the narrow aisles, showed off the statue of Athena. - A fourth room is located behind the Naos and serves as a meeting place for girls in charge of Athena service, which gives its name to the building. - A very precise optical correction system allowed to give the illusion of a perfect verticality and horizontality. - These corrections provide technical advantages : they facilitate the flow of rainwater, reinforce the whole structure, and give it some elasticity - which is not insignificant in this seismic zone - However, they hamper the work of stonemasons, and precise adjustment of the blocks. - Besides the great statue of Athena, the Parthenon was covered inside and outside with very colorful painted marble. Friezes and pediments were richly carved, fluted columns. The set was consistent with its function of treasure of the city.
