The Parthenon Essay

which played a major role in Edinburgh’s Greek Revival. (Lowrey 138). Edinburgh had a site so fitting of the Parthenon that the only thing missing in resembling Athens was the erection of a temple on Calton Hill (Gifford 48). Due to the resemblance between Edinburgh and Athens, the erection of a Parthenon replica seemed like an obvious answer, but simply resemblance does not seem like a good reason for doing so. The argument in favor of the Parthenon was that it was “‘the finest model which exists in the world’”, and that no other could serve as Scotland’s National Monument (Gifford 48). There seemed to be little concern for lack of originality, but simply that the success of the Parthenon in Athens could be brought to Edinburgh. There were many who did not care what the purpose of the Parthenon replica would be, but rather that the appearance would be “purely Grecian” with no deviation from the original (Fehlmann). However, many arguments did arise against copying existing architecture, and suggestions that the monument must be based on …show more content…
After the defeat of Bonaparte, changes in taste shifted towards Phil-Hellenism, within which the Parthenon was considered the epitome of Athens “cultural wealth and moral superiority” after the Persian Wars (Fehlmnn). For this reason, it was very important that the Parthenon replica be very accurate in its form and archaeology, especially because of the many moral connotations the monument contained (Fehlmann). However, due to the intended function of the building as a Church, deviations from the original Parthenon plan were justified