For Closer Look: The Parthenon: Athena, to whom the Parthenon is dedicated, is not only goddess of war, but also goddess of wisdom. How does the Parthenon reflect both of her roles (in your answer refer to the material in the Closer Look section)?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

The Parthenon was constructed to thank Athena for protecting the people of Athens during the Persian Wars. Her role of goddess was central for the construction of the Parthenon, and a 40-foot-high image of Athena Parthenos was installed in the temple. Athena is not only the goddess of war but is also associated with Athens and its civilization, and is, therefore, considered the goddess of wisdom. The wisdom of Athena is reflected in Athenian architecture, especially the Parthenon form itself that uses a keen understanding of mathematics and physics to create perfect Doric style. It has 8 columns at the ends and 17 on the sides. Each column swells out about one-third of the way up, a device called entasis, to counter the eye’s tendency to see the uninterrupted parallel columns as narrowing. The columns also slant slightly inward, so that they appear to the eye to rise straight up. Because horizontal lines appear to sink in the middle, the platform beneath them rises nearly 5 inches from each corner to the middle. The ratio controlling the Parthenon’s design can be expressed in the algebraic formula x = 2y + 1. The temple’s columns, for instance, reflect this formula: there are 8 columns on the short ends and 17 on the sides, because 17 = (2 × 8) + 1. The ratio of the stylobate’s (the platform upon which the columns rest) length to width is 9:4, because 9 = (2 × 4) + 1.