The Sculptural Program of the Parthenon

Parthenon or Reed's Parthenon Page- Read the general introduction to the monument, then answer the following questions about the decoration:

1. What stories decorate the "metopes" on the four sides of the temple?
2. What stories are told in the "pediment" of the east side? West side?
3. What is shown on the continuous freize around the porch of the temple?

View some of the plans, reconstructions and photographs of the Parthenon from the Perseus Project, or from the Image Archive at Willemette.

Compare the vase painting contexts in which images of the tyrannicides, Harmodius and Aristogeiton, appear.

Prepare to discuss: What do these stories have in common? How do the different images work together on the temple monument? Why were they chosen for this public and sacred monument of the Athenian democracy? What do they say about the Athenians' view of themselves and their place in the world?

Ancient World I Homepage ~ Classics Department ~ Macalester College