Images & Art

SACRED WAY AND TEMPLE OF APOLLO

Sanctuary of Apollo Delphi 6th century B.C. The sacred way passes by the supporting wall and ends at the temple entrance. The first temple was built around 600 B.C. This was replaced after a fire by a stone temple in 530-510 B.C. To the left of the picture is the theatre. Another temple was constructed on the same spot by Spintharos of Corinth abo...

Read More

PLAN VIEW OF THE ACROPOLIS

A reconstruction according to Leo von Krenze. A: The Parthenon is the large structure in the center of the sacred area. B: The Propylaea, the entrance into the Sacred area. C: The Temple of Athena Nike, directly below the Propylaea in the drawing. D: Roman fortifications added later. E: Foundations of minor temples. F: Upper center of the sacred a...

Read More

STYLOBATE

Parthenon Acropolis, Athens 447-432 B.C. The stylobate is the three-step base on which the Parthenon stands. In order to correct the distortions naturally made by the eye, the stylobate is curved upward toward the center of the colonnades on each side of the temple. The architrave also is similarly curved....

Read More

Detail, ENTABLATURE

Southwest corner of Parthenon Acropolis, Athens 447-440 B.C. The entablature covers the area above the capital up to the pediment. At the corner between the architrave and the cornice are the channeled blocks known as triglyphs. They alternate with ninety-two sculptured metopes around the entire building. The stone pegs under the triglyphs are rem...

Read More

GODS OF OLYMPUS

Parthenon frieze East side Acropolis, Athens 442-438 B.C. Acropolis Museum, Athens Perhaps also executed by Phidias or a close collaborator, the gods Poseidon, Apollo and Artemis sit on diphros, four-legged stools which originated in Egypt....

Read More

THEATRE OF DIONYSUS

Acropolis, Athens The theatre of Dionysus was built into the natural hollow of the south slope of the Acropolis. Originally a place to honor the god Dionysus in dance and song, in the fifth century the plays of Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides were performed on the orchestra floor for 30,000 Athenians. By the middle of the fifth century there w...

Read More

SCHEMATIC OF DORIC: Entablature

Resting on the slab like abacus, the Doric entablature is made up of three parts. The lowest portion, the architrave (A) is generally a stright cut supporting member composed of blocks of stone which meet over the abacus. Above the architrave is the frieze (B). In Doric entablatures, this frieze generally is a series of sculpted metopes, separated ...

Read More

ATHENIAN TREASURY ON THE SACRED WAY

Sanctuary of Apollo Delphi c. 500-485 B.C. The sacred way leads up to the temple past statues of dedication and treasuries built by many city-states. Originally there were twenty-three treasuries. They housed the gifts donated in honor of Apollo. The Athenian treasury was re-erected in 1906....

Read More

APPROACH TO THE ACROPOLIS

Athens The Acropolis is approached from the west. High on the man-made bastion at the right sits the delicate Ionic temple of Athena Nike. The center columns are surviving elements of the Propylaea...

Read More

LAPITH AND CENTAUR

South Metope Southwest corner of Parthenon Acropolis, Athens 447-440 B.C. A Lapith is held in a headlock by a centaur. The action and energy of the metope contrast and form a harmonious balance with the surrounding triglyphs....

Read More