The ancient Greek temple dedicated to the goddess Athena, built on the Athenian Acropolis between 447-438 BCE during the rule of Pericles. It represents the pinnacle of classical Greek architecture and democratic ideals.
From Greek 'Parthenon' meaning 'apartment of the virgin,' referring to Athena Parthenos (Athena the Virgin). The temple housed a massive gold and ivory statue of Athena created by the sculptor Phidias.
The Parthenon's columns appear perfectly straight but actually bulge slightly in the middle (entasis) to correct an optical illusion that would make truly straight columns appear to curve inward! This mathematical precision reflects the Greek obsession with perfect proportions and has influenced Western architecture for over 2,400 years.
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.