Acropolis of Athens

• What is the main building on the Acropolis of Athens?

  The Parthenon
• What period does the construction of the Acropolis of Athens date back to?

  Mycenaean period
• What are the main buildings on the Acropolis of Athens?

  • The Parthenon and Statue of Athena Parthenes
  • The Erechthelon
  • Statue of Athene Promachos
  • Propylala
  • Temple of Athena Nike
• When was the construction of the Acropolis started?

  447 BC
• What was the purpose of the Propylala on the Acropolis?

  It served as a monumental gateway into the site.
• What does the term "Athena Promachos" translate to?

  Athena who fights in the front line.
• What is the largest temple in Ancient Greece located on the Acropolis?

  The Parthenon
• What was the original material used for the statue of Athena Parthenes inside the Parthenon?

  It was originally carved out of wood and then covered in gold leaf.
• What is unique about the architecture of the Erechthelon?

  It has areas inside for different gods, as well as Athena.
• To whom is the Temple of Athena Nike dedicated?

  Athena of Victory.
• What significant buildings were included in the extended building programme beyond the Acropolis?

  • Theatre of Dionysus
  • Odeon of Pericles
• Who were the architects responsible for the construction of the Parthenon?

  Callicrates and Ictinus
• What was the main purpose of the Parthenon?

  To showcase the statue of Athena Parthenes and serve as a temple.
• How did the design of the Parthenon differ from typical temple designs?

  It had an arrangement of 8x17 columns instead of the usual 6x13.
• What is depicted in the East Pediment of the Parthenon?

  Athena's unusual birth from Zeus' head.
• What does the West Pediment of the Parthenon illustrate?

  The competition between Athena and Poseidon for patronage of Athens.
• What themes are depicted in the friezes of the Parthenon?

  • The Panathenaic procession
  • Myths of Gigantomachy, Centauromachy, Amazonomachy, and the Trojan War
• What was stored in the opisthodomes of the Parthenon?

  Large amounts of gold and silver.
• Who was Pericles?


  The leader of Athens during its Golden Age.
• What was the purpose of the Delian League?

  To protect its members against enemies.
• How did Pericles use the treasury of the Delian League?

  He used it to fund his ambitious building programme.
• What was the controversy surrounding the building programme initiated by Pericles?

  It was funded using the Delian League money, which some argued was inappropriate.
• Who designed the statue of Athena Parthenos?

  Phidias
• What was the main architectural style of the Parthenon?

  Doric
• What is the significance of the slight curvature of the base and columns of the Parthenon?

  It enhances the visual impression of perfection and grandeur.