The
Parthenon
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| The west-facing side of the Parthenon - 2016 |
Walking
upwards along the processional way, passing the Temple to Athena Nike and under
the Propylaea, the real feast for the eyes stands before you – the Parthenon.
It is a building so thoroughly embedded in our collective imaginations through
all forms of media, that seeing it evokes something in everyone.
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| East-facing side of Parthenon - 2016 |
My
impression of the Parthenon has changed with each encounter. When I was 18
years old I could appreciate the elegance, but lacked any real understanding. At
24, when I returned back in 2008, much more was visible and my understanding of
it was enriched by four years of studying Art History, Classics and
Archaeology.
I would have
to try very hard not to be impressed. I sat and awkwardly sketched
what my poor draftsman’s hand could barely grasp, but I was drawn to
draw. Most recently, as a travel-wise woman in my 30s, I could appreciate
the nuances at play within the monumental building of power, politics and art.
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The
painstaking nature of this current methodology
of restoration work deserves comment. Previous restoration work in done in
the 19th and 20th century led to problems which specialists are now trying to
repair (wrong pieces were fit together and corrosive materials which were
unknowingly unsuitable were also used).
The current
mandate for repair work is to map out each stone to the smallest detail, and
any structure that is assembled has to be done with an eye for future
restoration (meaning, nothing that is done now cannot be undone). The slow pace
of work might annoy some members of the public who wish to view the building in
all of it's glory, but preservation with a long-term view is
obviously a worthwhile endeavour.
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| The north-facing side of the Parthenon - 2008 |
The
creation of this temple dedicated to Athena began in 447 B.C.E. and lasted
right up to 432 B.C.E, built atop the previous “Pre-Parthenon” also destroyed
by the Persians in 480 B.C.E. Under Pericles, Phidias designed a monumental
Athena statue that once stood in the Parthenon, and the sculptural motifs along
the metopes and pediments and frieze, though the architectural design was
Callicrates and Ictinos.
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Work on the
Parthenon was slowed and interrupted by the outbreak of the Peloponnesian Wars,
beginning 431 B.C.E., and ending nearly thirty years later. While the temple
was dedicated to Athena, but also functioned as the state treasury. It bears
contemplation that following the defeat of the Persians and the enrichment
of Athens, they developed building projects which were all linked to
their mythical patron and founding myths of the city. Even as hostilities rose
between their main rival, Sparta, which ultimately led to a
devastating war which divided all the Greek city-states against each
other, the will of the Athenians (or at least the ones in power) was to
carry on when possible with building. Perhaps, it was especially
important in the face of foreign invaders, and even domestic ones, to complete
an artistic and architectural legacy which presented their identity
and power to the world.
Making A Statement
The main
themes of the artist design surrounding the Parthenon focused on their history
and identity. Themes of conflict are illustrated in the two sides of the
metopes (almost like a film reel running along the long sides of the
Parthenon). The north-facing metopes possibly depict the sack of Troy (though
it is under debate). 
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| The south-east-facing side of the Parthenon - 2016 |
The south
side of the Parthenon's metopes depicted the Centauromachy (the battle of the
Centaurs against the Lapiths), which highlighted a lengendary hero connected to
Athens, Theseus. The west-side, running underneath the pediment, featured the
Amazonomachy (battle of the Amazons against the Athenians). The east-facing
metopes which faced the entrance though the Propylaea, depicted the
Gigantomachy (the battle of the Olympian gods and -wait for it- you probably
guessed it- the giants).
Did you guess that last one? Gold stars, whole class.
The east pediment and metopes - 2016
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The east
pediment portrays the birth of Athena from the head of her father, Zeus. The
west pediment depicts the contest to be the patron of Athens between Athena and
Poseidon.
Can't really
see any of that from my photos, right?
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| Ink sketch of two goddesses from the east pediment, British Museum – 2014 |
There is
basically nothing you can glean from the west-pediment now, but once
restoration is complete, the structural elements should at least be visible. As
with the statuary from the east pediment, the Ionic frieze, the decorations
have been stripped from the building and reside in several museums around the
world.
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| An example of the sculptural work which was taken from the pediments |
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| Some relief carving which was taken from the Parthenon's frieze |
The main
components of the Parthenon's artistic works are on display in the British
Museum (see above). Future blog posts will look at some of the artistic
elements of Greek art, of which the Parthenon provides excellent examples.There
is a lively academic debate about the nature and meaning of the images depicted
on the frieze, which Mary Beard discusses in her book
"Parthenon".
Next
time....
The
Erechtheion!
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