The Parthenon has been admired for centuries for its architectural purity. The structure appears visually perfect. The source of this perfection is the subtle structural refinements conceived by its architects. Contributing to the Parthenon's majesty is a wealth of sculptural detail. The combination of superior sculpture and pleasing proportion make the Parthenon the best-known of all Greek buildings.
The Parthenon is both a religious and political structure. The war between the Greek city-states and Persia interrupted almost all temple building for a generation while the Greeks concentrated on restoring their defensive walls, civic buildings, and the fleet. When the Persians were defeated in 479 BC, Athens emerged as the leader among Greek cities. Thus Athens controlled the war chest of the Delian League, a Panhellenic league.
Under Pericles, Athens initiated an extravagant program to rebuild the sanctuary of Athena on the Acropolis. Albeit this scheme met with fierce criticism from representatives of other cities in the Delian League. Pericles, however, prevailed: "Athens was entitled to use the surplus, not only to beautify the city, but to provide full employment for her citizens."
In classical Greece every important settlement had an acropolis. In Greek, acropolis means "uppermost city," and refers to the highest and most defensible part of the city's terrain. On the acropolis was placed temples, treasuries, and other important buildings. During times of attack the acropolis became the last bastion of defense. The Athens acropolis rises from the plain of Attica about 500 feet above sea level, a site that was visible from almost every area of the city. In commissioning construction of Athens' acropolis buildings Pericles desired to create a monument not only to the greatness of Athena, the city's patron goddess, but also to the greatness of the city itself and the duty of its citizens: "[The Partheno...