Carroll, William

Professor Watson

Project 2, ARC 2031-02

October 4, 2022

The Parthenon: A Reflection

Throughout history, the Parthenon has been subject to society's admirable gaze for quite

some centuries. With it’s placement on top of a poignant plateau, adorned with the finest

marbles, decorated by complex friezes, and centered around a experiential path, this structure,

along with the Acropolis complex, has been a centripetal force in unifying religions, leagues, and

societies for centuries. In a modern context, this site has been used numerously as a nationalistic

symbol for the Grecian state, an arcitectural symbol of pure classicism, and a rallying symbol of

anti-colonialism. With this in mind, the Parthenon has been a commanding force; pushing the

limits of its architecture to a level of intoxicating transcendence. The replica of the Parthenon,

based in Nashville, does an admirable job in representing the overall architectural influence of

the actual site itself, while also proclaiming some of the modern problems that the actual site is

facing today.

As myself, solus, am standing at the front of the Parthenon, the columns create a sense of

civic solitude as they glide up and support the main pediment. The latter is adorned with a

dynamic frieze, highlighting Greece’s religious might and intellectual advancement. As I walk in

and enter the replica’s cella, there stands Athena in all her glory. Wrapped in gold foil and

positioned to be only admired and worshiped…

Although the contextual function of Nashville's Parthenon differs greatly from the

original, the architectural detail found on the Parthenon largely represents the sense of

importance that the building placed among its admirers during the height of the Acropolis. “The
 Carroll, William

Professor Watson

Project 2, ARC 2031-02

October 4, 2022

overall layout of the Acropolis was designed to enhance the sense of procession” 1, and the

Parthenon was the last stop: a finish line to the religious journey that the site instigates. The

structure invoking a sense of worship and gratitude. The viewer should be overcome with

emotion and religious passion as they witness a highly ornate structure dedicated to the riches

brought by Athen’s commitment to the Delian League, and solidified by the watchful eye of

Athena. Found upon the Parthenon itself, the column’s entasis conveys a theme of superiority as

highly colorful friezes communicate a high level of craftsmanship. These civic elements are

mimicked in Nashville’s recreation; exhibiting a similar sense of breath-taking monumentalism.

All to say, Nashville’s recreation of the Parthenon encapsulates the effect of the architectural

elements found within the actual site of the Parthenon. Although it is not to the degree as an

Athenian would look at the Parthenon in their context, it’s still a semi-perfect lens; peering into

the Parthenon’s intended architectural communication.

As I enter and walk through the basement of the Parthenon, I’m instantly greeted by

symbols of the legacy of Nashville’s Parthenon. Text, art, and culture aid in the overall

atmosphere. As I traverse narrow halls and enclosed galleries, history seems to be represented

and communicated; invoking upon me a sense of historical admiration. Nashville’s history is

beautifully cemented in a lime-stone recreation, an emblem of city pride…

The modern context of Nashville’s Parthenon is not too different from Greece’s modern

context of their Parthenon. Opened in 2009 and “situated in a residential area known as

1
Michael Fazio, “Buildings across Time: An Introduction to World Architecture”, (2018): 52.
 Carroll, William

Professor Watson

Project 2, ARC 2031-02

October 4, 2022

Makryianni”2, the Tschumi building is not only a “modernist object”3, but it's a magnifying glass

to the adjacent Acropolis site. This museum was built to house certain remains of the site while

also engrossing the viewer into the magnificent architectural detail of the remaining structures,

including the Parthenon. The museum itself is a testament to Greece’s nationalistic pride over the

site and perfectly emblemizes the site as a holder of architectural precedence and importance.

Despite the site’s influence, the museum does lie partially incomplete. The modern museum

highlights Greece’s problem in securing “legitimacy of its claim to the direct relationship to

antiquity”. Large, western galleries have raided the Parthenon’s site, stealing a multitude of

historical evidence, and generally refused any attempt of reconnection back to their site.

Therefore, the museum is only a partial holder of the Acropolis’s legacy, having former superior

powers trample its legitimacy and secure rights to elements that were unfairly seized. Nashville’s

recreation of the Parthenon mimics the modern context found within the actual Parthenon and its

museum counterpart. It serves as a host of state pride; presenting works and history that

correlates to the achievements found within the Nashville area. All of this is enclosed within a

building that exudes a same sense of monumental power. Within the modern context, there can

be similarities drawn between Nashville’s reconstruction of the Parthenon and the modern use of

the actual Parthenon. Both sites are used to uphold societal pride and host cultural achievement,

however, one site can perfectly embody their pride as the other still has to fight to secure theirs.

The Nashville Parthenon replica and Greece’s Parthenon both utilize architectural

elements that push the viewer in a state of transcendence. Elements found in antiquity properly
2
Christian Hubert and Ioanna Theocbaropoulou, “Musee Imaginaire,” Winter 18, (2010): 41,https://jstor.org/stable/41765319
3
Christian Hubert and Ioanna Theocbaropoulou, “Musee Imaginaire,” Winter 18, (2010): 41,https://jstor.org/stable/41765319
 Carroll, William

Professor Watson

Project 2, ARC 2031-02

October 4, 2022

communicate the draw that the site has and houses many cultural elements that emblemizes their

cultural situation. The modern context of these sites coincide and help establish their own

respective cultural identities. Greece’s Parthenon, however, struggles in achieving full

nationalistic effect as the dispute between ownership and legitimacy impacts the situation as

whole. Although thousands of miles away, both sites reveal extensive effects of history and

architecture upon the viewer; further blurring the lines of history and reality. An effect that

architecture can only achieve.