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Rebekah Lamberth
ARC 2031
Professor Watson
4 October 2022
Project 2

In the past few weeks, we have taken a deep dive into the historical timeline of an architectural

marvel known as the Parthenon, or what is left of it. We have been able to study its ruins,

sculptures, and even a replica in Nashville, Tennessee. Through this, we have learned its

architectural importance from many different viewpoints. The Parthenon is located in Athens,

Greece where it can be seen dominating the hill of the Acropolis. Built almost 2500 years ago,

the Parthenon has been utilized for many different purposes. The Parthenon was first built and

dedicated to the Greek goddess, Athena. However, a series of wars led to the conversions of

different religious temples as well as the destruction of the structure itself. From the readings,

“The Parthenon and the Erectheion: The Architectural Formation of Place, Politics, and Myth,”

and “Musée Imaginaire,” we can understand the historical, cultural, and architectural

significance of the Parthenon. 1 2

This large structure attracted a lot of attention. It was made almost entirely of marble,

which took a multitude of workers and artists. It included both Doric and Ionic style columns.

This was a political movement to show the harmony of cultures across Europe. This durable

structure stood tall for over 2 millennia. Even through multiple conversions and seizes, this

building held architectural significance across societies and cultures. One thing that I found quite

fascinating was the sense of conflict that this building has tied to it. From the Byzantines to the

1
Sophia Psarra, “The Parthenon and the Erectheion: The Architectural Formation of Place, Politics, and Myth,"
Journal of Architecture 9, no. 1 (Spring 2004): 77–104
2
Christian Hubert and Ioanna Theocbaropoulou, “Musée Imaginaire,” Log 18 (Winter 2010): 37–50
 2

Turks, Venetians, and even the British in present day time, the Parthenon has had its fair share of

conflict. I think, personally, this has made the Parthenon so well known. A coincidence that I

find so fascinating is the sculptures that are wrapped around the entire structure depict battles

and wars. The Parthenon is etched with different battles between both the gods and the Greeks.

This building captured stories while also relaying the message that Athens, Greece was the

melting pot of cultures and societies. Through the historical timeline from when the temple was

first built until now, I can see that the history of the Parthenon does that too. Through many

battles and wars, various cultures inhabited the Parthenon and gave it significance in their own

society. Even today, the Parthenon is spread across the globe. From the ruins in Greece, to

sculptures in the British museum, to a full-scale replica in the United States, the story of the

Parthenon has been conveyed internationally.

The question in the prompt asked, “How has the Parthenon made you think about

something differently?” While its pure construction made from marble and created by masterful

sculptors, artists, and masonries has made me realize that we will never see that craft in the age

we live in today, it has also allowed me to see a new perspective on architecture. There is no

debate that this structure is considered architecture. However, through the past weeks I have seen

that it isn’t just the physical form of the building that made this temple so important to history. In

addition, it was the story that this building told. We can see man create a masterpiece, a building

that stood almost invincible for over 2 millennia, and a building ruined by man. The ruins are the

remains of civilizations’ architecture that inflict stories of havoc and destruction. It is a powerful

story that reminds of the constant fight between order and chaos created by man. It is a reminder

that we can create great things, but just like humans, buildings have life spans too. They do not

last forever, however, their powerful stories can live on.