Determined to bring the Acropolis to a level of splendor not seen before, Pericles initiated a massive building project that lasted 50 years . Under his direction, two well-known architects, Callicrates and Ictinus, and renowned sculptor Phidias helped plan and execute the Pericles’ plan.
How old is the Acropolis in years?
The history books say it started being built in 447 BC.
How long did it take to build the Parthenon?
The Parthenon was apparently completed by 438 B.C., when a massive gold-and-ivory statue of Athena Parthenos was installed inside. In all, construction took just nine years . The Propylaea, the gateway to the Acropolis, took even less time—just five years—to build.
Who destroyed the Acropolis?
Another monumental temple was built towards the end of the 6th century, and yet another was begun after the Athenian victory over the Persians at Marathon in 490 B.C. However, the Acropolis was captured and destroyed by the Persians 10 years later (in 480 B.C.).
How much did it cost to build the Acropolis?
The Acropolis Museum, with over 4,000 exhibits and built on the slopes of Acropolis, opened its doors to the public for the first time during an astonishingly grand opening ceremony. This $175 million project, with a total square-foot area of 250,000 feet, took about 8 years to complete.
Who was Athens biggest rival?
One of the most famous rivalries arose between the cities of Athens and Sparta . Historians believe this competition contributed to the divisive Peloponnesian Wars
Did Lord Elgin steal the marbles?
Greece has disputed the British Museum’s ownership of the sculptures, maintaining that Lord Elgin removed them illegally while the country was under Turkish occupation as part of the Ottoman Empire.
What happened to the Acropolis?
During the Greek Dark Ages (800 B.C. to 480. B.C.), the Acropolis remained largely intact. ... In 480 B.C., the Persians attacked again and burned, leveled and looted the Old Parthenon and almost every other structure at the Acropolis.
Did Athens fall to Persian?
The remaining population of Athens was evacuated, with the aid of the Allied fleet, to Salamis. ... Athens thus fell to the Persians ; the small number of Athenians who had barricaded themselves on the Acropolis were eventually defeated, and Xerxes then ordered the destruction of Athens.
Why did Athens rebuild the Acropolis?
When the Acropolis was ransacked by the Persians in 580 BC, the Athenians vowed never to rebuild on it . But thirty-three years later, the great statesmen Pericles persuaded the popular assembly to rebuild on it as a lasting testament to the glory of democratic Athens and its empire.
How much did it cost to build Machu Picchu?
Machu Picchu: $70M .
How much did it cost to build Angkor Wat?
To set a base for Angkor Wat, we factored in the planned cost for Viraat Ramayan Mandir, a future Hindu temple estimated to cost $78 million to construct. Given that it is half of the size of India’s temple, a modern-day Angkor Wat would cost about around $39 million to build.
What is Athena the god of?
Athena, also spelled Athene, in Greek religion, the city protectress, goddess of war, handicraft, and practical reason , identified by the Romans with Minerva. She was essentially urban and civilized, the antithesis in many respects of Artemis, goddess of the outdoors.
Why did Sparta Not Destroy Athens?
Like the Athenians before the war, the Spartans believed in rule by force rather than cooperation. ... Sparta, however, had another motive for sparing Athens: they feared that a destroyed Athens would add to the growth in influence of Thebes , just north of Athens.
Why did Spartans not like Athens?
While the Athenian city-state enjoyed a period of democracy, Sparta was a military culture. Although Athenian citizens enjoyed certain freedoms during the time of their democracy, the idea of who made up of a citizen was very strict. ... Basically, the two city-states didn’t understand each other .
Why did Athens lose the Peloponnesian War?
In 430 BC, an outbreak of a plague hit Athens. The plague ravaged the densely packed city, and in the long run, was a significant cause of its final defeat. The plague wiped out over 30,000 citizens, sailors and soldiers, including Pericles and his sons. Roughly one-third to two-thirds of the Athenian population died.
