Greek Parthenon: The Most Famous Representation of Ancient Greek Culture

By Aarushi Ganguli

Greece is, without a doubt, one of the most beautiful places I have ever had the fortune to visit. It is full of culture, religion, and traditions that is traceable back to the dawn of the Greek world, and it has famously influenced both the Ancient Romans and other ancient cultures. As such, there are many magnificent archaeological structures dotted around the country that have stood the test of time, none more famous than the Parthenon.

The Parthenon sits on top of the Athenian Acropolis in the heart of the capital city of Athens.

It is symbolically dedicated to the goddess Athena, who was known as the goddess associated with wisdom and war strategy. It has remained the most famous structure in Greece because the architecture demonstrates the highlight of Greek art, the ideals of democracy and Western civilization, and the enduring beliefs in those standards. As in most cases, the temple was considered to be a structure honouring a victory—in this case, over the Persians during the Greco-Persian War. It was therefore built around 447 BC and finished around 5 years later. Since its conception, much like the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, it has been given different designations based on who invaded the area, such as the Ottoman Empire turning the area into a mosque in the mid-fifteenth century. Thankfully since 1975, the Parthenon has been returned to its original purpose and much restoration work has been done to preserve the 3,000-year-old structure.

From my experience, the best time to go would be during sunset when the sun hits just right on the Acropolis, once the midday heat has faded, and most tour groups have left the area.

Athens is dense with archaeological finds, the Parthenon is not the only national treasure sitting atop the Acropolis. This area includes the Propylaea and the famous Theatre of Dionysus, both of which hold great historical significance. As such, a good few hours need to be dedicated to exploring this area. However, the Parthenon is the most breath taking architectural masterpiece on the Acropolis. If ever there was to see a piece of Ancient Greek architecture, this is the one to see.

The history that surrounds this temple exemplifies the extent of time the Ancient Greeks inhabited the area and shows how other cultures across the world were affected by the religion, culture, and traditions in this small country. The Parthenon has a long history amid the chaos of Athens and the elevation away from the city allows one to take in the significance of the area. So, if you are ever in the Greek area, drop into Athens, say Yassas to the locals and sit on the steps of the Parthenon as they did in ancient times.

Edited by Jo Hoffman