A day in the life of an ancient Greek architect - Mark Robinson
TED-Ed・2 minutes read
Pheidias, the chief builder of the Parthenon, faces accusations of embezzling gold for the temple's statue, leading to a detailed expense account deadline. His innovative design combines Doric columns with Ionic friezes, showcasing a unique blend of human and divine figures, deviating from traditional temple styles and resulting in higher costs.
Insights
- Pheidias faced accusations of embezzlement and had to justify expenses for the Parthenon's statue, highlighting the financial scrutiny and pressure imposed by city officials.
- The innovative architectural design of the Parthenon, combining Doric columns with Ionic friezes, required complex construction techniques and intricate artistic details, leading to increased costs and challenges for Pheidias and his team.
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What is the Parthenon?
A temple in Athens built by Pheidias.
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Summary
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Pheidias' Parthenon: Embezzlement, Innovation, Challenges
- Pheidias, the chief builder of the Parthenon in Athens, is accused of embezzling gold meant for the temple's central statue by city officials, leading to a confrontation and a deadline to provide a detailed account of expenses.
- Pheidias' innovative design for the Parthenon combines Doric columns with Ionic friezes, showcasing a unique blend of human and divine figures, deviating from the traditional temple style and incurring higher costs.
- The construction challenges faced by Pheidias and his team, including maintaining symmetry, creating new pulleys for heavy marble blocks, and carving numerous metopes depicting epic battles, all contribute to the escalating expenses of the temple project.
