What is the purpose of friezes?

What is the purpose of friezes?

In the classical architecture of Ancient Greece and Rome, a frieze is a long and narrow sculptural band that runs along the middle of an entablature, used for decorative purposes. It sits on top of the column capitals, in between the architrave on the lowest level and the cornice at the top.

What was the Parthenon used for?

The Parthenon was the center of religious life in the powerful Greek City-State of Athens, the head of the Delian League. Built in the 5 century B.C., it was a symbol of the power, wealth and elevated culture of Athens. It was the largest and most lavish temple the Greek mainland had ever seen.

What was the purpose of Greek architecture?

Greek architecture is important for several reasons: (1) Because of its logic and order. Logic and order are at the heart of Greek architecture. The Hellenes planned their temples according to a coded scheme of parts, based first on function, then on a reasoned system of sculptural decoration.

What was the purpose of temples in ancient Greece?

Ancient Greek temples were not built as a place of worship like the sanctuaries and altars were (although some temples resided inside sanctuaries). Instead, it was considered as the home of the deity it was dedicated to, who helped to protect and sustain the communities.

What does friezes mean in English?

1 : the part of an entablature between the architrave and the cornice 2 : a sculptured or richly ornamented band (as on a building or piece of furniture) 3 : a band, line, or series suggesting a frieze.

What is a metope in Greek?

: the space between two triglyphs of a Doric frieze often adorned with carved work.

Is the Parthenon one of the 7 Wonders?

New 7 Wonders Finalist Acropolis means high city in Greek. The most famous is the Parthenon, a temple dedicated to the Greek goddess Athena. Much of the original Acropolis was destroyed in 480 BC when Persians invaded Athens.

Can you go inside the Parthenon?

The Parthenon is the centerpiece of the Acropolis. You are not allowed to walk onto the Parthenon but you can walk around the entire circumference of it.

Why do Greek temples face east?

As marble is not entirely opaque, those naoi may have been permeated with a distinctive diffused light. For cultic reasons, but also to use the light of the rising sun, virtually all Greek temples were oriented with the main door to the east.

Why was the Parthenon built?

The residents of Athens constructed the Parthenon at the time when they were at the height of their dominance. The Parthenon was mainly constructed as a temple for the Goddess Athena who was the chief deity worshipped by the residents of Athens.

What is the Parthenon made out of?

It is made from several materials, including marble, granite, concrete and brick. The Parthenon is a Doric temple supported by ionic columns . It has a rectangular floor and is made entirely from marble, with a limestone base.

What is the architecture of the Parthenon?

The Parthenon is a peripteral octastyle Doric temple with Ionic architectural features. It stands on a platform or stylobate of three steps. In common with other Greek temples, it is of post and lintel construction and is surrounded by columns (peripteral) carrying an entablature.