Classical

The Classical period of Ancient Greece began in 480 BCE, and lasted until 323 BCE.

  • The Parthenon

    Ο Παρθενόνας (Parthenon), is an Ancient Greek temple in the Acropolis of Athens, dedicated to Athena Pallas or Parthenos (virgin). It is widely considered to be the pinnacle of Classical Greek architecture, and over the years it has become the…

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  • The Sculptures of the Parthenon

    The Parthenon’s exterior was adorned with an abundance of sculptures. Above, and on the outer side of the colonnade we find the traditional Doric frieze that was decorated with alternating metopes and triglyphs. The exterior wall of the cella on…

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  • The Parthenon Pediments

    The Parthenon Pediments were lavishly adorned with sculptures that filled their triangular shapes in both the east and west facades. Both sculptural themes involve the goddess Athena to whom the temple was dedicated. In the east pediment the goddess is…

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  • The Parthenon Frieze

    The Parthenon frieze is a continuous 1 meter high, 160 meters long, and 6 centimeters deep band of relief sculptures, created specifically to crown the entirety of the temple’s exterior wall. The sculptures are executed in low relief and depict…

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  • Parthenon Metopes

    The Parthenon metopes were visible on the exterior of the temple above the colonnade. They were sculpted in deep relief and surrounded the temple on all sides. Most Greek temples had few decorated metopes, but in the Parthenon all ninety-two…

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  • Charioteer of Delphi

    The “Charioteer of Delphi” (Greek: Ἡνίοχος, the rein-holder; often transliterated as “Iniohos”) is one of the best known ancient Greek statues, and one of the best preserved Classical bronze casts. It is considered a fine example of the Early Classical,…

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  • National Archaeological Museum in Athens: Classical 480 – 323 BCE

    Some of the best examples of classical Greek art from excavations across the country and beyond are on exhibit at the National Archaeological Museum in Athens. The classical era is associated with the most important characteristics of what came to…

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  • Propylaea

    The Προπύλαια (Propylaea, Propylaia) were built as a monumental entrance to the Acropolis rock. It is an imposing building that surrounds the natural entrance to the plateau, and one approached it in ancient times through an inclining ramp that led…

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  • Bassae

    Βάσσαι (Bassae, also transilterated as Bassai) is an archaeological site in the Pelopponese which is home to the Classical Era temple of Apollo Epikourios. The temple of Apollo Epikourios at Bassae of Figaleia still has its colonnade standing to this…

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  • Brauron

    Brauron (Βραυρών, Βραυρώνα, also transliterated Vravron, Vravrona) is an ancient sanctuary in eastern Attica near Athens. It was dedicated to the Goddess Artemis and it can be related to the Brauronion on the Acropolis of Athens. Worship on the site can…

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