Parthenon athens columns

The Parthenon, a temple dedicated to Athena, stands as a symbol of Ancient Greece and the pinnacle of Doric architecture, with its iconic columns atop the Acropolis of Athens.

About this subject

The Parthenon was built between 447 and 438 BC under the leadership of Pericles as the main temple of the goddess Athena Parthenos. Located atop the Acropolis of Athens, the building was designed by architects Ictinus and Callicrates, with sculptural supervision by Phidias. Its floor plan is an octastyle peripteros: 8 columns on the façade and 17 on the sides, totaling 46 external columns in the Doric order. Each column stands about 10.4 meters tall with a base diameter of 1.9 meters, featuring 20 flutes typical of Doric style.

The Parthenon is famous for its refined optical corrections. The columns are not perfectly straight; they have a slight outward curvature (entasis) and inward inclination, while the stylobate (base) is convex. These adjustments were designed to counteract optical illusions that might make the building appear to sag or bend. The Pentelic marble used came from Mount Pentelicus, about 16 km from Athens, giving the temple a brilliant white hue.

Over the centuries, the Parthenon saw many uses: treasury of the Delian League, Christian church dedicated to the Virgin Mary, Ottoman mosque, and gunpowder magazine. In 1687, during a Venetian siege, an explosion severely damaged its central structure. Despite this, its columns still stand, undergoing continuous restoration projects since the 1970s. In 1987, the entire Acropolis was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Parthenon remains an icon of Western civilization, influencing neoclassical architecture worldwide. Its Doric columns are reproduced in government buildings, museums, and monuments, from the US Capitol to the British Museum. The image of the Parthenon's columns, especially in long exposure, captures the timeless grandeur of this monument that endures as a testament to the artistic genius and engineering of ancient Greece.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many columns does the Parthenon have?

The Parthenon has 46 external columns in the Doric order: 8 on the front façade and 17 on each side, plus internal columns in the main hall.

Why are the Parthenon's columns inclined?

The columns are subtly inclined inward to correct the optical illusion that would make them appear to lean outward. This visual refinement is a hallmark of classical Greek engineering.

How tall are the Parthenon's columns?

Each external column of the Parthenon is approximately 10.4 meters tall, with a base diameter of 1.9 meters. They are made of Pentelic marble and have 20 flutes.