The Complicated History Of Greece’s Parthenon
The Parthenon was built about 2,500 years ago on a rocky hill overlooking Athens. The building has a staggering and complicated history. Constructed with incredible engineering and architectural precision from 100,000 tons of locally quarried marble, it was originally a temple for the goddess Athena.
However, it also housed a treasury that held over a ton of gold—melded onto a 11.5-meter (38-foot) statue.
The Many Lives Of The Parthenon
Over time, the Parthenon became a Christian church, a Muslim mosque, an ammunition depot, and a majestic ruin. It was ravaged by fire, a mᴀssive explosion, and a British lord. Through it all, the Parthenon has stood resolutely as a symbol of Greece and modern democracy.
The Beginning: The Pre-Parthenon
Although the exact date can’t be pinpointed, around 490 BCE, ancient Athenians began constructing a building to house a mᴀssive statue, the Athena Parthenos. This building—which is referred to as the pre-Parthenon—was established on the Acropolis of Athens.
Acropolis Of Athens
The Acropolis of Athens is an ancient citadel (i.e., a highly fortified area). It’s built on a rocky hill overlooking Athens, which is itself situated in a large basin.
Structures On The Acropolis
There are several structures and buildings on the Acropolis of Athens, creating a complex of Greek temples. The most important are the Parthenon, the Propylaea, the Erechtheion, and the Temple of Athena Nike.
The Parthenon visually dominated the Acropolis because of its mᴀssive size, as well as its incredible architecture and rich decoration.
The Acropolis Of Athens Was Built To Honor Athena
All of the structures on the Acropolis were built to honor Athena, the Greek goddess of war, wisdom, and handicrafts. She was also the patroness and protector of the city Athens itself.
Greco-Persian Wars Coincided With Building The Parthenon
Right around the time that Darius the Great coordinated the first Persian invasion of Greece (492-90 BCE), the Athenians started building the pre-Parthenon (490 BCE). Construction continued as Darius’ son, Xerxes I of Persia, orchestrated the second Persian invasion of Greece.
Darius The Great Had A Vendetta
Darius particularly wanted to destroy Athens and Eretria. The two city-states had supported Ionia—a region of 12 cities on the western coast of modern-day Turkey—in its rebellion against Persian rule in the 490s.
The Battle Of Marathon
The Persians did have some early successes during their first invasion of Greece. But when they reached Marathon, they were soundly defeated and humiliated by the Athenian army (which had some support from the Plataeans).
Although they were significantly outnumbered, the Athenians and Plataeans managed to rout the Persians in a single afternoon.
Xerxes Succeeded Darius
The Persians retreated following the Battle of Marathon, but Darius remained determined to conquer all of Greece. He spent the next three years preparing a mᴀssive campaign. However, he died in 486 before he could lead the Persians into battle once again.
His son Xerxes ascended the throne and took over the military preparations.
The Persians Sacked Athens
In 480 BCE, Xerxes returned to Greece with a mᴀssive army and navy. This time, the Persians crushed the Athenians, torching the city of Athens and razing the Acropolis, including the pre-Parthenon, which was still under construction.
