Imagine asking a five-year-old to draw a picture of a house. A native Floridian probably wouldn’t draw the typical split-plan design with a tile roof and a screened-in lanai. The extent of the child’s artistic ability would probably consist of a box with a triangle on top of it. As fundamental as it sounds, the use of this structure has a long history dating back to ancient Greece. The classical Greek temple, the Parthenon, made use of this design and influenced (the still rather different) Roman Pantheon. These buildings are excellent examples of how architectural style reflects the culture of its creators and studying their relationship highlights how the ancient Mediterranean world affected modern Western architecture.

The remains of the Parthenon, built between 447 and 438 BC, rest on Greece’s southeast peninsula called Attica. At one time, this architectural giant sat on top of the Acropolis in Athens. The thick Doric columns numbered eight on each short side. The furnishings were rather simple and the columns were just thick enough to look awkward. These traits made the building look heavy, yet sturdy. The temple housed the main icons of the wealthiest Greek city-state, a statue of Athena and the city’s treasury. Leading up to the foundation was an enormous set of stairs which, compared to the people who visited it, may have been twice their height. The huge staircase wasn’t just a sign of the Athenian grandeur- when combined with its position on top of the steep acropolis the Parthenon was very well guarded. Around the inner chambers, but still inside the outer Doric columns, was a type of wrap-around porch or breezeway. This kind of open space was evident in most of the buildings on the Acropolis. It allowed citizens to gather and discuss ideas, politics and economics in the first major civilization not ruled by a monarch. The Parthenon was made entirely out of marble, but it was either cheaply made or the technology was not advanced enough to make it smooth and time resistant. Today, the temple lies in ruins. The foundation and many of the columns still stand, but the roof and carved designs are all but missing.

The Pantheon, built in Rome around AD 126, is in great condition yet today. More massive than the Parthenon, the exterior of the Pantheon still looks smoother. The eight Corinthian columns that line the front entrance are not as intrusive as the Doric columns of ancient Greece. They are thinner and ornately decorated. Also, the Pantheon gains its giant size because of its high walls, not by resting its foundation on a mountainous staircase. Again, this makes the temple more delicate than the Parthenon and this difference also infers that the Romans felt much more secure from the dangers of invasion. Unlike the Parthenon that was destroyed by enemies, the Pantheon still stands content. Continuing inside, the walls of the Pantheon are intrinsically a genius of splendor. They are decorated with ornate designs of Corinthian columns and mock windows. The beauty of the three dimensional wall fixtures is exemplified by sunlight let in by the large oculus at its zenith.

Although the Parthenon has not survived time, its design has greatly affected our modern world. The children’s design mentioned earlier is similar to the post-and-lintel construction used by the Greeks in the Parthenon and other structures. In this design, the vertical columns and horizontal beams form the square. The triangle on top (probably developed to improve water runoff) forms a pediment on both ends where it touches the beams. The general design of the Pantheon utilizes post-and-lintel construction for the main entrance, but the large dome that makes up the bulk of the area dwarfs this. Domes and arcs are used in many of the surviving Roman structures because their shape makes them very strong. These innovations are so well noted that Volkswagen commercials have compared the strength and space utilization of the New Beetle to these well-known structures. Like the basic design of the Greek Parthenon, Roman architecture also has a great influence over culture two millenniums later.

The Greek Parthenon was a triumph of its time. Its practical function has given shape to buildings ever since. It was used as a bank, civic center, temple and museum. These are the kinds of buildings that line modern streets. Its rustic style gave way to domes and Corinthian columns but its fundamental design continues through the ages. As for the Pantheon, it still stands as a marvelous museum because of its strength in design and awe inspiring shape.

Word Count: 760