Discuss why the Parthenon is considered the epitome of Classical Greek architecture.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

In the clarity of its parts, the harmony among them, and its overall sense of proportion and balance, the Parthenon represents the epitome of Classical architecture. The architects Iktinos and Kallikrates clearly intended it to represent the Doric order in its most perfect form. There are no true verticals or horizontals in the building, a fact that lends its apparently rigid geometry a sense of liveliness and animation. Mathematical regularity is central to the overall harmony of the building. The building’s floor plan reveals a system of proportionality used by the architects to coordinate the construction process in a way that resulted in a harmonious design and lent the building a Classical sense of beauty.