The Acropolis is a combination of three distinct buildings. For this blog entry I would like you to pretend to be an Athenian visiting the Acropolis for the very first time. Catalogue your visit from the moment you see the Acropolis from a distance, your arrival at the gate, your visit to either the Parthenon or the Erechtheum and your descent from the Acropolis. You are not required to visit both buildings.
The focus of this blog entry should be demonstrating the following learning targets.
4.10: Understands how visual structures and functions of communicate ideas
And
4.3: Knows the function and meaning of specific art objects within varied culture, times, and place (for our sake 5th BCE Athens)
And
4.9: Applies appropriate artistic terms in both written and oral work
Due Wednesday @ 5pm
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Reminder: Length is not a sign of quality. I expect answers to be precise in terms of content and language. Be direct in your responses.
I visited the Acropolis today. It was a different experience for me, I felt close to my ancestors and walking through the buildings where once they walked made me feel excited. As I was walking along the Panathenaic way, the view of Acropolis impressed me. I first saw the Propylaea which is the gateway to the Acropolis. When I got near the Propylaea, I saw that it was mighty, making me feel so small next to the columns. The columns were forming an entrance in the middle. I walked through that entrance and saw the statue of Athena. She was welcoming me. The statue standing high and huge infront of me that made me thought like nothing can stop the Athenians. My ancestors once believed in that woman, worshipped her and nothing could stop them beat the enemies, so I felt strong. When I came out of the Propylaea, I turned right and there was the magnificent Parthenon. The building stood on huge doric style columns and it looked strong. The work of art on the metopes above the columns were beautiful. When I enter the Parthenon, I saw another set of columns. I walked through the Parthenon, there were the monuments and statues dedicated to gods. This was where my ancestors worshipped their gods. I was amazed by the architecture in the Acropolis and when I was leaving I felt proud to be an Athenian.
I was on my way to Acropolis and every step I took was still full of fear. I knew that now the Persians were gone and we shouldn’t be scared but I still couldn’t raise my eyes from the dusty avenue. I looked at my son, who was holding my hand strongly and forcing me to move faster. He wanted to move fast because he was so curious about that new temple that everyone was talking about. I looked at him and the innocence in his eyes gave me the courage to lift my head up. There it was, the astonishing Acropolis that everyone was talking about. Although it was still so far away from me, I gave credit to everyone who glorified the place.
We needed to climb up a long and tiring zigzag path but we didn’t think of even pausing for a moment and rest. Even the distant view of the Acropolis could have given you the courage to continue. By the time we were in front of the mighty gate Propylaea, my fear had already left me. I can even say that I felt the power of the gods around me and my child. The gate seemed giant but hospitable as well. My boundless imagination made me think of a never existed god, god of gates, who would let the Athenians and good people in and harm all the ones who meant harm to us. I went through the inviting gate with these thoughts in my mind.
I turned right and saw Parthenon with heavy Doric columns, pushing down on the ground, promising the earth that it will always be there. I needed to lift my head up again to see the colorful frieze on the entablature. It was beautiful, but not more beautiful that what was waiting for me in one of the cellas. When I saw what I am talking about, I certainly believed in the fact that Acropolis was the home of the gods. It was the statue of Athena, the goddess of wisdom which was told to be made from defeated Persians’ shields by Phidias. I felt like it stood there as if she was the symbol of our victory. I knew that one other cella was used as a Bank but the visitors weren't allowed and that was reasonable of course.
After we spent a sufficient amount of time in Acropolis, it was time to leave. I felt the need to turn back once more to see Parthenon. It looked amazing with the shiny and shadowy parts of the columns created by the light and fluting on the columns. I didn't want to leave but I needed to, so I promised myself to come back in any occasions or just to communicate with other Athenians and I left, proud and thankful more than ever.
Dear diary,
I could say that I've felt like a real Athenian today, for I visited Acropolis first time in my life. I'd already heard that Acropolis looked like a perfect temple from all over Athens; but I'd never thought that it would look way more grand and beautiful than its look from a distance.
When I arrived the entrance, the enormous gateway, the Propylaea welcomed me. Due to its architectural success, it seemed like a border that detaches me from the real world and invites me to the glorious world of mighty gods. I walked through the wide space between two Doric columns at in the cented which as if call me "Enter here" like a real human being. I must admit that I was already bewildered by the perfection of the natural language of the Greek art which expresses itself clearly though the arctitecture even 2500 years later.
Now, in front of me, there was the statue of Athena, which looks at the city of Athens from above continously. As a perfect example of "humanism" in Greek art, the pride would almost spurt from her face and her body. Next to her statue, surrounded by many huge buildings, I was heavily feeling unimportant, just like an insect in our classroom.
On the right, there was the magnificient Parthenon, the home of deity whose flawless harmony instantly attracted me. As I approached it, high above me, the wonderful artwork (at first, the metopes on the outer wall, then the frieze on the second set of wall) fascinated me. The building was a complete example of perfection in architecture, and compared to the Propylaea and the other buildings, it was looking stronger and more immobile with its giant Doric columns.
It was time to leave. I was completely impressed by the mastery of architecture that I experienced there. What I also experienced was the feeling of being inside the borders of perfection, and filling with pride for the fabulous artwork of my ancestors. I definitely want to go there again sometime...
P.S: This note was written assuming that all buildings and statues inside Acropolis were upright and strong, not pitifully destroyed.
The fact that it’s tough to think of Athens without thinking of Acropolis, has proved itself right to me after my visit to Acropolis, yesterday. I realized that it was looking much more beautiful, grand and harmonious than it is on the pictures. The place where the holy, divine world meets with us, the mortal beings: Acropolis. As I walked through the Panathenic way, the grand silhouette of Acropolis grew and made me feel as if it was inviting me to its sacred possessions. Also the stairs were so upright that, it gave the feeling of rising to a greater level, the level of Gods and hence I felt as if I was actually going to meet them. This feeling gave me a push to keep climbing and when I finally reached to stylobate, I felt highly unexplainable; I was feeling extremely proud and secure yet small and insignificant beside the grand buildings around me. What made me feel so small was not only their heights; it was more the fact that this place was the household of the Gods. And I was just an unimportant, small piece of the great universe they’ve created.
When I reached to Propylaea, the gate between the mortal and divine worlds; the two symmetric Doric columns in its center took me from the everyday life and welcomed me into the divinity. The fact that the space between these two columns was wider than that of between other ones, gave me the feeling that the only way I could enter the world of Gods was to pass through these two heavy, centric columns. I was only in the entrance however I already began to understand that the language of art was very-well improved and clear in the times of my ancestors; and how well they expressed themselves through architecture even in the 5th BCE. And then I was face to face with the colossal gold statue of the God of wisdom and knowledge; Athena. At that moment I felt strong and proud; as if I reached my goal and get to a higher level, the level of Gods and therefore I was able to feel the power I inherited from my ancestors who built this enormous place and thus to defeat anyone who threatens my existence.
Despite the fact that overall atmosphere enchanted me already, what amazed me most were the complex, multileveled architecture and the holy stories of Erechtheum. Yes, Parthenon due to its grand structure may seem to look more majestically however after seeing the complex structure that was used to express the holy events’ complexity and to combine those spots together, one realizes that Erechtheum is the most supreme among the other parts of Acropolis. The building gets its name after the great founder of the city, Erecthus and is the symbol of our heritage. The purpose of it is mainly to venerate the other heroes and deities as well, after having Phidias’s temple in Parthenon. The front view and the back view of Erechtheum are very much different than each other. From the front view it is not possible to see the multi-leveled structure of the building. And hence it just seems so simple beside the grand Parthenon with its heavy Doric columns; whereas it is much more complex compared to the simple structure of Parthenon. I thought the architect of this building has done a terrific job on combining the spots of the tomb of Erecthus, the mark of Poseidon’s trident on the rock, and wooden statue of Athena (which is said to be fallen miraculously from the sky). This multilevel technique gave me a better sense of the complexity of the events; and how difficult it is to try to explain them. The other detail that took my interest was the Caryatids; 6 maiden sculptures that were built instead of slender, ionic columns of the rest of the building.
I thought that this may be their way of showing their respect towards women, because we all know that their divine figure Athena is a virgin Goddess and within her they respected other women and the meaning of their existence as well.
When it was time to descent from the heights of Acra, I felt that I was somehow connected to this place that was built by my ancestors. Not just due to its holiness and divinity; also due to the reasons why it was built in the first place. After the Persians literally destroyed everything in Athens, the only way to make people to move on was to come back with a greater image, greater power. And through architecture, my ancestors could maintain it and thus improve the moral of the society. And within that, they enhanced the representation of the greatness of our culture. Therefore I can say that beside the divinity and the feeling of questioning my position in the universe; I felt proud of being an Athenian.
Yesterday, for the first time in my life, I visited Acropolis. All I knew about Acropolis was that it is the house of Gods. We were discussing about politics with my friend Menelaus when he suggested that we should visit Acropolis in order to better understand our strength, our permanence. He said we could continue our discuss in the agora in Acropolis.
It took a long time to walk up the hill through the Panathenaic Way and it was tiring. Through the end of the zigzag path, I could see a gold statue Athena, it was the biggest statue I’ve ever seen. I imagined myself as a Persian for a second, and if I tried to sack the city down again, I would be afraid and feel very little facing the grandeur of the city.
Right in front of us was a gate-like building, Propylaea. The building looked very heavy and it seemed like it was pushing downwards.It was made of marbles, mostly. There were six columns standing. I guessed that we would walk between the columns in the middle, the space between these two was almost twice the other interval distances. As I walked through Propylaea, I started to question my place in the universe, how little I was, how great Gods are.
As we got out of Propylaea, we walked through the right, to Parthenon. I was astonished by the view, it was huge, strong, excellent. It was painted in dark blue and red. The metopes were painted in cream and they were the most influencing I’ve seen. Even after a few hundreds of years, it would stand still. There was a perfect symmetry, the stairs were perfectly parallel and the columns as well. Eight columns on one side and seventeen on the other. As I walked closer, I felt smaller and smaller. As the center of the universe, it was the first time I realized how pityful I was. The building looked very heavy as well, as if Athena was pushing down on the roof. As I walked closer to Parthenon, I realized that the stairs were not parallel exactly and the columns on the corners were larger and closer to each other. The treasury was in this building, on the western side. On the eastern side was the room where Athena accomodated.
It was time to leave the agora. I felt proud as I turned back and looked at Acropolis. I then knew Persians would no longer dare to conquer our city.
As I walk at the Panathenaic way, the distant silhouette of the acropolis grows and makes me wonders how different the city would be without the Acropolis. I think of the times when Athens was sacked by Persians. The city must have been darker, more vulnerable without the Acropolis. I feel proud as I approach the majestic gate: Propylaea. First I climb the stairs leaving the city and earthly business behind me. The gate grows and grows as I get closer. The two symmetric Doric columns at the center invite me to the mysterious world of the Gods. The grandeur of the gate indicates once again that the Acropolis is the dwelling of Gods. As I walk though the hallway inside the Propylaea, I question my place in the order of the universe. I feel so little, so insignificant yet when I think of my ancestors who built the Acropolis, I feel proud and strong. I feel powerful enough to defy any enemy as I stand at the heights of Acra.
The Parthenon catches my attention as I exit the Propylaea. As I get closer, I see epic scenes and imaginary creatures in metopes in between triglyphs. I feel amazed by the genius of Ictinus when I see the perfect order of the forest of columns, the smoothness of the fluting, and the beauty of the colors of the entablature. The order and perfect harmony of the building stuns me. The frieze which I see when I look up tells me an epic tale of my ancestors. Although details first seem to be insignificant, one understands the importance of those details when he realizes that the overall effect of the building is made up of the harmony of these details. I visit each and every cella inside the building. The cella in which I find the great statue of the divine goddess Athena amazes me the most. I feel totally lost by the grandeur of the building and I thank Athena, the goddess of wisdom, for protecting the city of Athens. After I exit the Parthenon, I notice that the columns are actually wider in the middle than they are at the bottom and the top. I later learn that this is an architectural technique to overcome optical illusions and make the building look perfect from a distance. This detail, once again, makes me feel proud of the human intellect. When I’m about to leave the Acropolis, I take one quick glimpse at it again. The heavy Doric columns of the building assure me that the Parthenon will always be here, permanent, stable.
It was the most beautiful view I've ever seen as it was built for the gods. Acropolis was standing on top of the hill, as glamourous as it could be. It was a place where gods would want to visit. I felt proud to be an Athenian and I understood that we, the Greeks succeeded. Neither the Persians nor someone else could defeat us after this point on. When I went to the city from the zigzag path up the slope, I even felt closer to the gods. First I went into the Propylea, which was the gate to a new beginning. The white marbles of Propylea looked so pure and there were some dark stones as well. This contrast was reminding all of us to do the right thing and behave according to the rules of gods. There were rooms with sculptures and paintings, but at the moment, what I wanted to do most was to visit Parthenon, the holy temple that everybody was talking about, so I left.
At first glance, everything looked perfect to one's eye in Parthenon. It was about the ratios they said. Parthenon was the ideal beauty. The columns were tremendous, but not in an exaggerated way. I went in. Everything was bright and colorful. Blue, red, bronze... An architect, a friend of mine had told me that the stones of the Parthenon were cut so exactly, that they created a single smooth surface without using any mortar. The inner freeze has fascinated me the most. There were more than 500 hundred figures that represented us, the Atheninans in the festival of our goddess, the Panathenaea. I couldn't feel more joyful. I had a look from the city to the rest of the world. Everything else seemed so small from where the gods lived.
It was awesome; so huge great gate seems to me its coming towards me slowly. Actually I was walking along the Panathenaic Way half unconsciously to the great gate of heaven in Earth: Acropolis. From a distance I could hear perfectly built columns and stairs calling me inside. After all this disaster, the city was still standing; looking down not just to the enemies but to the whole world, only after than I could understand the Goddess of wisdom's greatness upon us. As I entered the gate Propylaea, I looked up and started to turn around me how many times I don't even know. Than I was sure I reached the house of Gods.
Although it was the first time I have been in here I knew where to go, my senses led me following the way showed by the columns. Than I stopped for a moment to decide where to go; as I turned right I saw the Parthenon like a powerful lion lying on its own place. It was so heavy and seemed to me perminant like the Doric columns were hugging the ground harshly and pulling towards itself as the top parts of the columns do the same thing to the roof. Also all the epic scenes I see there made me breath hardly, they were very alive, colorful like all these things are going to move and these scenes are going to happen again. Now I am sure that I have been inside the heaven and I know what the "perfect" is and from now on I belive in greatness of Athena more than I have ever believed.
As I climb the long stairs to the Acropolis, I start to feel excited. I knew that it was high and a huge city, but I have never guessed that it would be such mighty. The more stairs I climb, the feeling I have gets denser. Could humans have built this city? It is really hard to believe in. When I am at the gate looking down I feel as if I am someone important, everything else is so small compared to me, it is as if I have the control of the world.
I see the gateway; they call it as Propylaea I think. There are six Doric columns which look really heavy and give the impression of being very strong. I enter the building from the middle where there is a wider space between two columns. When I get in, the first thing that draws my attention is the gold and ivory statue of Athena above all the other monuments.
I continue walking; there are two other buildings next to the Propylaea. I choose the strange temple on the left that is called the Erectheum. I said it is strange, because it has multileveled architecture. It is named after the legendary founder of the city, Erectheus. There are three sides of Erectheum and they all have different design and size. The east side has six Ionic columns completely different from the columns of Propylaea. The columns here are thinner and longer while the Doric columns of Propylaea are wide. This side of Erectheum has the longest columns. The north side of it is on a higher level and it has similar but shorter columns. The east side of the building looks completely different. There are six statue-like columns, caryatids. They are in the shape of woman and the lower parts of their dresses are fluted like the columns of rest of the Erectheum and Propylaea.
The reason they built a multileveled temple is there were different occasions taking place in different times and almost at the same place but different planes. They wanted to represent them all. They needed a place for the wooden statue of Athena that fell from the sky. This place was also the place where Athena and Poseidon held their contest which Athena won eventually by producing the olive tree. Because it hosted these Gods the place is a very sacred.
After the Persian invasion the city was ruined and it amazes me to see how it is raised again so high and strong. I think the Persian or any other folk won’t ever have the courage to invade this city again.
I’m walking on the Panathenian Way, our main avenue. I’m on my way to Acropolis. I look up, and see that the Acropolis above me is like heaven. I feel humble and am reminded of my mortality as I think that I’m about to climb up to the dwelling of gods. I suddenly feel proud for that magnificent place we built for our goddess Athena. I am a bit tired of climbing – it’s such a ‘high place’; an ‘acra’ it is… But of course, that’s why we call it the Acropolis. The military advantage of having a high base which sees all the area around it must have been one of the reasons why Pericles decided to build the Acropolis here.
After the exhausting climb, I see Propylaea, the entrance gate of Acropolis. Huge Doric columns remind me that I’m entering a holy place. Two columns in the middle are placed more remotely to each other, inviting me to enter Acropolis through that passage. I realize how the sunlight and shadows mingle on the columns and create a beautiful view. I remember the workers who had to carry the columns; the fluting might have been helpful, since it highly reduces the column weight. (Well, on second thought, “had to” was a wrong phrase – they must have built this perplexing gate enthusiastically and willingly!)
I walk through Propylaea’s columns and finally enter the Acropolis. On my left, Erechtheum; on my right, my destination: breath-taking Parthenon! Parthenon is so high, and colorful. Again I notice the elements of the Doric style and how it gives me the impression of permanence. I know it’s going to be there forever!
I am amazed at the fact that the building looks perfect even though it’s not built in the usual 1:2 ratio as most temples are. It looks as if it’s blossoming out of the center of the world. I know that this is a result of entasis, the technique we use to avoid optical illusions that happen when you use parallel columns. There are both vertical and horizontal entasis here, which means that we took columns that are fatter at middle, located them so that the ones near the ends are less close to each other, and we made the stones beneath the columns curved upward. As a result, I can’t see any right angles in Parthenon – but it still looks perfect and divine. It looks as if it’s reaching out to the sky –to heaven– in a way that other perpendicular buildings don’t. Such distortions show that although we value traditional architecture, we manipulate it too, in order to give particular feelings and impressions. I believe that we took the ‘post and lintel’ tradition to a new dimension.
Before I pass the forest of columns and enter Parthenon, I look up to the marvelous pediment. Beneath it: the colorful metopes separated by three-lined triglyphs. I apreciate the architectural art a lot as do my fellow citizens. I especially like the frieze and its continous nature, but I can’t see it well now since it’s on the second set of columns.
Inside Parthenon, I pass near the cella that is used as the bank, and enter the cella used as the temple. Here is the glorious statue of Athena. I pray and thank her for her blessings on our city. After that, I look around and see my friends Kataskopos and Panionios. They are exiting the Parthenon. I join them and we discuss politics as we return to our homes. I realize the importance of the Acropolis as a social center as well.
After ascending through the long zigzag path of Acropolis, I was amazed by what I saw before me... There it stood, great, magnificent Acropolis. The Propylaea welcomed me with its greatness. Only seeing the Propylaea, I had understood that it’d be the most enchanting journey that I’d ever take... I went through the gateway of the Propylaea and from that moment, I had entered the sacred place which had been recently built. I was surrounded by the great monuments dedicated to the gods and our heroes and of course I would see the golden statue of Athena. I turned to right and I saw the majestic Parthenon and in the left, there was the Erectheum. The Parthenon was standing before me with its all greatness.The combination of the architecture and the mathematics was so harmonious and amazing... Everything seemed to fit each other well. Looking detailed, I realized that the columns stood closer together at the corners. Also, the other interesting thing I’ve realized was its top was somehow resembled at an arch. It was also noticeable that the columns shafts were swelling as they rose toward the top and this had created a curve effect. I had already known that the Parthenon had two inner rooms but especially, I was looking forward to see the room which had the statue of Athena. The gold statue of Athena was magnificent; every great comment told about this building was definitely right... Then, I saw the treasury and departed the building…I was so enchanted by this great journey through the Parthenon… The Parthenon was definitely one of the greatest and successful pieces of the human mind…
I am a retired soldier who had seen the demolished city after the Persians and went away for isolation in order to settle my mind. Today is the day I came back and after the things I have seen I am astonished and feel totally renewed like my hometown Athens itself.
As I entered the city I thought the Mount Olympus and its dwellers fell on to Athens and started to live in here. When I asked about this place to a stranger he told me that it was the Actopolis. I have never seen such divinity, I felt like gods were just beside us watching.
I climbed up the hill to reach the mighty gate the Propylaea I noticed a smaller, light ionic building; the Temple of Athena Nike but I was so tempted by the Acropolis I could not take my time but kept on going. I passed the solid Doric Columns of the Propylaea and kept on going through the lane formed by the columns I could not take my eye from the pictures and statutes on my left. I never would believe Athens would be like this after the Persian war. It is like resurrected and now more powerful. Then I simply could not believe what I saw! It was wise Athena right in front of me wearing bronze, guarding the Acropolis.
As I entered the agora I saw lots of people I saw lots of people talking, discussing in groups. After I had listened to some of their conversations I realized not only the city but the people of the city were resurrected too. Everybody was so respectful and their new ideas, new standarts astonished me such as wondering our place in the nature or having responsibility towards our society.
As I turned to left I have seen the most sacred building in my life. The Erectheum. I asked a citizen to assist me as I wanted to learn more detailed about this incredible building. He accepted my request gladly and started to tell me about it. He told me that they wanted a place to put the ancient Athena statute in and dedicate the building to Athena and other mighty warriors of Athens. The Ionic columns held the building upright but also gave a delicate look. This was also where our city's founder Erectheus once lived and where the contest over our city took place between Athena and Poseidon. This is such a rich building in complexity of its purpose and inner self but also so neat from the outside. As we approached to the south end of the Erectheum I saw six beautiful ladies called caryatids. Their posture and the details about the balance on their feet made me feel like they were the ladies who protected and held the sacred place of the virgin goddess.
I think this was the best desicion for me to come back. Today ended so quickly and I want to discover my old hometown once again and catch up with its pace in order to be worth Athena and her sacred city.
After ascending through the long zigzag path of Acropolis, I was amazed by what I saw before me... There it stood, great, magnificent Acropolis. The Propylaea welcomed me with its greatness. Only seeing the Propylaea, I had understood that it’d be the most enchanting journey that I’d ever take... I went through the gateway of the Propylaea and from that moment, I had entered the sacred place which had been recently built. I was surrounded by the great monuments dedicated to the gods and our heroes and of course I would see the golden statue of Athena. I turned to right and I saw the majestic Parthenon and in the left, there was the Erectheum. The Parthenon was standing before me with its all greatness... The combination of the architecture and the mathematics was so harmonious and amazing... Everything seemed to fit each other well. Looking detailed, I realized that the columns stood closer together at the corners... Also, the other interesting thing I’ve realized was its top was somehow resembled at an arch. It was also noticeable that the columns shafts were swelling as they rose toward the top and this had created a curve effect. I had already known that the Parthenon had two inner rooms but especially, I was looking forward to see the room which had the statue of Athena. The gold statue of Athena was magnificent; every great comment told about this building was definitely right... Then, I saw the treasury and departed the building…I was so enchanted by this great journey through the Parthenon… The Parthenon was definitely one of the greatest and successful creations of the human mind…
This was the most exciting day of my entire life. The reason for that is my visit to the Acropolis. It was actually the first time I’ve ever seen it. The first thing which simply amazed me was the huge gate opening to the Acropolis. As my father indicated its name was Propylaea. Before you actually go through the Propylaea, those six huge columns catch your attention. The distance between the ones in the middle, were wider than the others. So it wasn’t hard to tell which way you go in. It was the same case while I was inside. The path I should travel was obvious. After I got out of the Propylaea and entered the Acropolis, my father told me that, I had to choose between those two buildings that were right in front of me. He said that the one on the left was called Erechtheum, which was basically named after “the legendary founder of the city”, Erechtheus. Even though the Erechtheum looked really interesting with its six columns which seemed like lifting the roof up to the sky, I told my father that I wanted to see the one on the right hand side more. I don’t know why but that building—the Parthenon, as my father told me later on—had something which imprisoned my thoughts. Since I was a little kid, I felt so small with those huge buildings around. However, Parthenon got something more than just being huge. It was a symbol of power and permanence. When I looked at it from the outside, all I could see was this “forest of columns”. The columns weren’t giving the same impression as the ones that Erechtheum had. This time the columns seemed like they were literally pressed to the ground with the pressure that the roof exerted. It made me think like “Oh my God! The Parthenon is always going to be here! Nobody can ever destroy this huge glorious piece of marble.” Since my father was really interested in architecture, he explained something that I wouldn’t have noticed or known, he hadn’t told me. He said that the architects used an effect called “entasis” on the columns of the Parthenon. According to my father’s explanations, this method created the elasticity effect. So, the temple didn’t look droopy, because the Parthenon was both a shrine to Athena and also the treasury of the Delian League. After, we finished our tour in the Parthenon; we exited the Acropolis with the same path that we used to go in. I was amazed and full of thoughts of the Parthenon.
Acropolis far from where I live, but its fame has surpassed my town and the mainland. Therefore, I traveled to Athens to see this significant and powerful site.
Far back from the road that leads to Acropolis, I could identify huge Parthenon with its bold and high columns so powerful that it gave shivers down my body.
As I approach the Acropolis I heard laughter of a big crowd and wondered what it was. The high stairs stood in front of me as I reached the base of Acropolis. There I identified the laughter, it was coming from a theater nearby. Even though there were a play in the theater the stairs were full of man climbing up and descending. Propylaea, the famous entrance of Acropolis stood high up front of me . I gazed up, and thought how small I was in the city of Athena. The gods above had similar looks to ours but they were perfect, ideal. People in my town had told me that by going high up, I was getting near to the gods. So I started to climb up the Panathenaic Way. After a while, with gods help I reached Propylaea, and the building itself invited me inside where the bigger gap of columns stood. I walked in astonished by the array of columns that stood in front of me. There were chatter in the cella nearby, people meeting, having discussions about philosophy and maths. There were art pieces, and they were in display here. I crossed the Propylaea, and I was welcomed by the statue of Athena, so astonishing that I felt my skin turn cold. The grace and power was all over the statue, guarding whole Greece from any enemy, especially the Persians!
I was so distracted by the statue, almost forgetting the Parthenon, the great structure I noticed from far beyond. It looked wonderful, too powerful as the roof would crush the columns with its power. I thoufght I would be frightened to go under Parthenon's roof! But as I get closer to the building, I noticed some oddities such as the columns were not placed very accurately. But it looked quite good from a distance, unlike the other statues I have seen in other cities- they looked as they were collapsing that very moment-. As everything we ought to do this very piece of architecture were well thought. Porpotions were really nice, in terms of many other temples. As I was afraid that the roof may collapse any moment because of its weight, I thought I could have a glimpse of inside from the portal that leads to 2 distinct cella in the Parthenon. There were another row of Doric columns in front of the portal-the facade-, and the sunlight created nice shadows on the basement of Parthenon. That game of shadows calmed me down and I had the courage to get in to Parthenon.
The colorful entablature told me the story of that building. Looking down I saw the perfectly carved triglphs among with the colorful metopes. There were another line of sculpture which we call frieze above the second row of columns. So I went inside the portal and greeted by a huge cella which had a statue of athena. There were the treasury of Athens and the bank in the other cella. Feeling exhausted and crushed under the power of the building I decided to find a place to stay for the night and perhaps I could give Acropolis another go later at the evening. As I went outside I looked high up to the sky and for an instant I thought I saw Zeus wandering there! That is what Acropolis is all about!
"Man is measure of all things" says Protogoras, and by seeing the ratio between my size and the Parthenon's size, I agree how significant we were as we built this wonderful site!
Today I visited acropolis which I think I should have done years ago as a resident of Athena. This was a great experience; when I first walked up to acropolis I felt like leaving the city behind and going back thousands of years, I felt closer to my gods. Propylea's doric columns were forming a gate because the two columns at the middle were spaced widely apart. when I entered the temple mighty Athena greeted me. the statue looked so alive with bronze and gold. in the temple I knew what to do; architects literally showed us the way by the way they built the columns. After I get out of the propylea amazed, I went to The parthenon which amazed me even more with its huge doric columns and with the light plays shafts helped the columns do. The temple was so huge and perfect it symbolised the power of the country. I'm sure persians or any other enemy felt very weak after they saw the Parthenon. I'm glad I see this building without any colors which makes it more serious and god like. I think color would make the building childlike and not like this mighty. after I left The Parthenon and The Acropolis I was really glad that I made a visit to this place now I'm really proud of my country.
Today, I could finally visit the Acropolis for the first time. It was wonderful. even from far away I could see the great Acropolis ahead of me which was astonishing. we walked along the Panathenaic Way and went up by the zigzag path which wasn't too easy to climb. As we reached the top, I understood that it was all worth it. behind the Temple of Athena Nike stood the gorgeous Propylaea, the gate of Acropolis. The gateway itself was leading into Acropolis, with the wide space between the two middle colomns among the six colomns in the entrance. As we walked through Proplyaea, I admired the picture gallery on the left room and the statues on the right. I also noticed that although the six colomns in the entrance were of the Doric order, the colomns around the back of the building facing Acropolis were of the Ionic order. As we entered the city of gods, I was amazed by the sight of all buildings attributed to gods and heroes and the magnificent gold statue of Athena.
On the right, I saw Parthenon. It stood high and strong, as though reaching to the sky as if elasticly. I soon found out that this was because of the entasis effect. The colomns had a swelling curve in the middle. the architrave and the stylobate also had a matching curve. I was also impressed by the bright colors of the triglyphs and the whole entablature. We entered through the portal to the cella which was a rectangular room without any windows under a low roof and which housed the statue of its deity. I was definately impressed by this simple yet beautiful building.
I didn't want to leave, but it ws time to go. I'm so happy that I had to chance to visit this wonderful city of gods and had this experience. I felt spiritually happy and satisfied and was so proud as an Athenian to possess such a valuable city and have built Acropolis.
While I was climbing the single, steep path of the Acropolis, I began to feel the sense of holiness in my speeding heart pulses. As I get away from my city, I felt that I’m getting closer and closer to my history of recreation from the pieces left from the Persian War, as Greek people, to our common source of honor and to the house of deity.
With those feelings, I faced with the entrance of the Acropolis: The Propylaea. Starting from that point, the ambiance of the power, strength and holiness began. Seeing the regularity and the simplicity of the building and still feeling that order and sacred atmosphere was really impressive. Passing through those giant, sure footed, symmetric Doric coloumns, the feeling of insignificance filled my thoughts. With the coloumns showing the way smoothly and taking me inside, I headed towards the temple area.
Passing The Propylaea, I faced with the huge, ordered coloumns and the heavy, impressive view of the Parthenon. However, I left that beauty of simplicity at the back and headed towards my main target; the place where Athena and Poseidon had their contest to guard my city, where the founder of our city, Erechteus once lived, where our protector rests in her own rich sanctuary, the temple of our city’s patronage which came from the city of our gods: The Erectheum. That multileveled temple lead me to various stages of our history on every step that I take. That complex planning made the temple more attractive, mysterious and gave me the sense of majesty by the layers of esteem. I first reached tree porticoes which every one of them has different height and design. Then I went in and worshipped in front of the temple of our founder and finally, I left the place with the beautiful view of caryatids, the beautiful maidens of Athena.
Experiencing the gorgeousness of the Acropolis, sensing the protective power of our gods, our wise Athena, above our city, and having the feeling of content pride and security in my heart, I left the house of the gods and descended, landed down to my city, in reality again.
As Acropolis appears on my sight I understand that photographs weren’t enough to describe the build. As you walk trough the hill you can sense the change in the atmosphere. The buildings seem to be so solid and so daring against time you might think they managed to stop it and manage to maintain their strength. Infinite like Gods. Just as Greek society back then felt like. Just as they want Persians to think like. As I walk towards Propolea six Doric columns greets me; hard to believe that they did the same 2500 years ago. First thing I recognize inside are the ladies holding the ceiling and Erechteum. Despite its simple look it binds your attention more and more as you walk in. As you wander from one room to another I felt like I was advance phase after phase towards what’s beyond mortal and normal, something godlike.
I walked to the entrance of Parthenon. It looked perfect as it could. How can strength be so fluently blended with beauty and elegance? Strong and heavy Doric columns pushing down, challenging earth reminds me of my enduring ancestors. The triglyphs and metopes reflected the artful insight of the society once resurrected on these lands. As I step forward a chain of fascinating friezes blink me from high above. I couldn’t imagine the days where this temple was colorful and shiny, watching Athens. Parthenon still had a lot to share. The high goddess of wisdom was staring at me in the cella. Workmanship was perfect. She was still looking after her temple, promising me with her looks that it will stand as long as humanity does. When it was time to leave, I was satisfied with the architectural genius ness I have experienced.
I can't remember the last time I enjoyed reading assignments... thanks for taking the time to be so creative- makes my job so much MORE fun!
This will be my first time visiting the great city of Athens, after some 20 years, after the invasion of Persians. I was just a child when the barbarians took my family away, but now I have to face the reality.
After a very long and tiring sea journey, I have finally arrived the city of wise and beautiful Athena. I am planning to see the “new” Parthenon, where the old one demolished and leveled completely. I have to acsent from the western zigzaged pathway and it took my breath away completely. Many thoughts running in my mind, I am scared of the fact that I might see the Acropolis in ruins; like the rest of the Athens, 20 years ago.
But then suddenly, for the first time, I see the strong Doric columns of Propylaea with the presence of some Ionic columns. Looks holy and reminds me that I am coming closer and closer to the place of Athena; I feel my heart is beating faster and faster; this time it is not because of my physical action but because of my psychological condition. My morale gets higher as I climb up the slope to reach Propylaea. I even can see the spear of Athena, it is shining so bright with the presence of the sunlight. Propylaea welcomes me with all her holyness. Now I can see the details. I see how the light play with the columns; fluting makes the temple never look the same; just like we are never the same as we were before. Just like the Acropolis won’t be the same after the invasion of Persians. It will be stronger perhaps. I feel so small while standing infront of the six Doric columns. It reminds me my position on earth; I have to look up in order to see the full picture. It reminds me that the Gods and the state is always above me. Leaving all my personal problems behind, I enter and turn right in order to visit Parthenon.
There, it was just infront of me! It was like a forest of columns; a great fortress standing still with a perfect symetry. When I get closer, I literally feel the courage and the power of the wise Athena and my army’s support behind me. The Parthenon reflects superiority, stablity of my nation. The Doric columns look so strong that it almost tears apart the earth itself and reach the world of death. The columns look like an athlete showing off his bulging muscles. I feel proud. But then I saw that it was an optical allusion; entasis. The columns at the ends were actually closer to each other from the ones that are in the middle. I understand how my nation improved. As I continued, I saw the creamy colored metopes; the statues; followed by dark blue triglyphs. Then I had to lift my head up as I enter the Parthenon. I see the Frieze that is colorful and yet fascinating. I could follow the story of my ancestors. I felt the goose bumps. I was fascinated how superior was my nation in art as well as other areas. My final destination was the cella of the God of wisdom; Athena. Infront of her gold and ivory statue; I have prayed and thanked once more behalf of my nation.
As I left the Parthenon, I was not worried about the Persians anymore. We were better, stronger and more stable then we were ever before. I felt confident and secure. All my worries were gone. I saw how unimportant my daily bussiness were compared to what happened in Acropolis in last 20 years. I feel different from now on.
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