Introduction
It will be asserted in this essay that despite the differences in style, construction methodologies and functions the Parthenon and Pantheon are united in their primary purpose: as symbols of Imperial glory and the achievements of the elite rulers of the Ancient Greek and Roman cultures, men such as Pericles, Agrippa and Hadrian. Both structures have the appearance of being worshipful and pious tributes to the Gods of the time; but both are actually more celebrations of secular power following periods of war rather than a true veneration of the theology of the time. Support for this argument will be provided below through the examination of the context for the commissioning and construction of these structures which support the …show more content…
Potentially this reflects the uncertainty about the actual functions of these structures from that envisaged when the buildings were commissioned versus how they were utilised over …show more content…
The statue of Athena does figure prominently in part of the Parthenon, but when viewing the complex in its entirety and the perspective of its location on the Acropolis it is evident that the Parthenon was in part a temple, refuge, treasury and monument to the Delian League’s victory over the Persians (Reed College, 2015). The Parthenon is interpreted to be symbolic of the Athenian viewpoint: that it is now the esteemed centre of the Delian League. Pericles consolidated the transition of the League into an Empire, under Athenian leadership, rather than a cooperative venture united by the threat of Persian invasion (Reed College, 2015). Pericles commissioned the building, funded largely by the Delian Treasury, reflecting the power of Pericles in Athens and over the Delian League (Wikipedia, 2015b).
Conclusion
Although masked by the projection of piety the Parthenon and Pantheon are symbols of Empirical achievement and ambition. Their stated purpose as temples was secondary to their true purpose to celebrate the achievements of Greek and Roman Imperial leadership. Classical architectural styles feature in both structures but the detailed architectural differences reflect the almost 600 years between the construction of both
It will be asserted in this essay that despite the differences in style, construction methodologies and functions the Parthenon and Pantheon are united in their primary purpose: as symbols of Imperial glory and the achievements of the elite rulers of the Ancient Greek and Roman cultures, men such as Pericles, Agrippa and Hadrian. Both structures have the appearance of being worshipful and pious tributes to the Gods of the time; but both are actually more celebrations of secular power following periods of war rather than a true veneration of the theology of the time. Support for this argument will be provided below through the examination of the context for the commissioning and construction of these structures which support the …show more content…
Potentially this reflects the uncertainty about the actual functions of these structures from that envisaged when the buildings were commissioned versus how they were utilised over …show more content…
The statue of Athena does figure prominently in part of the Parthenon, but when viewing the complex in its entirety and the perspective of its location on the Acropolis it is evident that the Parthenon was in part a temple, refuge, treasury and monument to the Delian League’s victory over the Persians (Reed College, 2015). The Parthenon is interpreted to be symbolic of the Athenian viewpoint: that it is now the esteemed centre of the Delian League. Pericles consolidated the transition of the League into an Empire, under Athenian leadership, rather than a cooperative venture united by the threat of Persian invasion (Reed College, 2015). Pericles commissioned the building, funded largely by the Delian Treasury, reflecting the power of Pericles in Athens and over the Delian League (Wikipedia, 2015b).
Conclusion
Although masked by the projection of piety the Parthenon and Pantheon are symbols of Empirical achievement and ambition. Their stated purpose as temples was secondary to their true purpose to celebrate the achievements of Greek and Roman Imperial leadership. Classical architectural styles feature in both structures but the detailed architectural differences reflect the almost 600 years between the construction of both