The Parthenon Frieze

When is the Parthenon frieze dated to?

C.442-438 BC, High Classical

Why was the Parthenon built?

It was built as part of the re-building of the Athenian Acropolis which had been sacked by the Persians in 480/479 BC

Who funded the building of the Parthenon?

The treasury of the Delian League

Where is the Parthenon frieze located?

In the Parthenon on the Athenian Acropolis

What type of columns did this building display? How tall are they?

46 Doric columns which are 10.4m high

How many metopes are on the exterior frieze?

92 carved metopes on the exterior frieze

What cult statue is depicted in the Parthenon and what is it made from?

11.5m high chryselephantine statue of Athene Parthenos

How long and tall is ionic frieze?

160m long and 1m high

What material is the Ionic frieze made from in what relief?

Pentelic marble slabs in light relief

What scene is depicted on the ionic frieze?

The Panathenaic procession with the seated Olympic gods looking on

How is movement and detail created in this part of the frieze?

• Billowing himation with motion lines

• Profile legs of the rider with a ¾ torso → display of techne and movement

• Veins protruding from horse belly conveys naturalism

• Multiple planes

• Display of arête

How is detail created in this part of the frieze?

• Billowing himation with motion lines

• Naturalistic twist in turned rider

• Transparency in the riders drapery

• Multiple planes in horses legs created distance

How is detail created in this part of the frieze?

• Movement displayed by the man and the ox e.g. rearing head of the cow, flexed legs and horns

• Transparency in the drapery

• Multiple planes

Which seated gods are depicted here from left to right? How is detail created?

Poseidon, Apollo, Artemis

• Modellling lines on the drapery of Artemis and Apollo create a swirl of curvilinear drapery and display naturalism

• Apollo displays anthropomorphism with his swinging legs characterising him

• Catenary shapes in the folds of Apollos drapery on his arms

• Naturalistic twist in Apollos neck

• Multiple planes displayed on the drapery of the gods

• Repeated horizontal seats display order and unity contrasting the humans

What does Woodford say about the Parthenon?

‘The sculptural decoration of the Parthenon was exceptionally lavish’

What does Nigel Spivey say about the Parthenon?

It ‘symbolises democracy’