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The Culture and Politics of Athens, c.460–c.399 BC

The buildings of the Acropolis and the Agora

  • 3 things to know
  • Component Group 1

Overview

Recall questions on the Parthenon's dates, architects, Pentelic marble, Doric and Ionic features and refinements, Phidias' Athena Parthenos, Mnesicles' Propylaea, the Temple of Athena Nike and its parapet, the Erechtheion and Caryatid porch, the Hephaisteion, the Bouleuterion, Tholos, Painted Stoa and Odeion, and the Agora's role.

What you need to know

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Numbers

When was the Parthenon built, and who were its architects?

Key term

Give three refinements built into the Parthenon and explain their purpose.

Key term

What is the Propylaea, and who designed it?

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

  1. 1

    When was the Parthenon built, and who were its architects?

    Model answer

    The temple was built between 447 and 438 BC, with its sculpture completed by 432 BC, to designs by Ictinus and Callicrates.

  2. 2

    State the material the Parthenon was built from and where it came from.

    Model answer

    It was built of marble quarried at Mount Pentelicon, a few miles north-east of the city.

  3. 3

    In what ways is the Parthenon Doric, and in what ways Ionic?

    Model answer

    Its columns, triglyphs and metopes are Doric, but it also carries a continuous Ionic frieze around the cella and had Ionic columns in its rear chamber.

  4. 4

    Give three refinements built into the Parthenon and explain their purpose.

    Model answer

    The floor curves gently upwards towards the centre, the columns swell at the middle and lean slightly inwards, and all three correct the eye's tendency to see straight lines as sagging or splaying.

  5. 5

    Describe the statue of Athena that stood inside the Parthenon.

    Model answer

    It was a standing figure about twelve metres high, made by Phidias of gold and ivory over a wooden core, holding a winged Victory in one hand with her shield and spear beside her.

  6. 6

    Why was the gold on the statue of Athena Parthenos made removable?

    Model answer

    It was designed so that the plates could be taken off and weighed or spent, which made the statue a reserve of bullion as well as an offering.

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Athens allied with Argos, and Elis.
MantineaCorinthThebes

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AThe tradition speaks of about seventy.
BOnly around twenty can be identified with any confidence.
CThe number is a measure of his reputation rather than a count.

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Themistocles was ostracised in the 470s BC and Cimon in 461 BC.
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