The document discusses the Parthenon as a masterpiece of the classical age, highlighting its construction from 447 to 438 B.C. under architects Iktinos and Kallicrates, and sculptor Phidias. It describes the architectural features of the Doric peripteral temple and the debate surrounding the use of the golden ratio in its design, suggesting that while its proportions may reflect this ratio, it was not necessarily intentional. The document concludes with reflections on the relationship between mathematics and art in ancient Greek creations and the complexities of human perception of beauty.

1. andand
thethe GGoldenolden
RRatioatio

2. the GloRy of
athens

3. What PaRthenon stands
foR
A Masterpiece of Classic Age, 5th
B.C.
Not only a Temple dedicated to goddess
Athena
Mostly a Sculpture manifesting the Athenian
Imperium at its full Power and Sovereign

4. BuildinG a miRacle

5. Basic histoRical facts
Construction began
from 447 to 438 B.C.
Architects Iktinos and
Kallicrates
Under supervision
of Sculptor Phidias

6. inside the temPle

7. Build to house the great Gold and Ivory
statue of Athena,
patron of the City

8. aRchitectuRal featuRes
The Parthenon is a Doric peripteralDoric peripteral temple
It consists of a rectangular floor planrectangular floor plan with a series
of low steps on every side

9. The OuTer
sTrucTure
A colonnadecolonnade (8 x 17) of Doric columns extends
around the perimeter of the entire structure.
Each entrance has an additional six columnsadditional six columns in
front of it.

10. Mixing sTyles
Parthenon is the largest
Doric temple in dimensions
It is also innovative because
it mixes the two architectural
styles :
1. the Doric, the oldest
2. the Ionic, the newer

11. cOMparisOn

13. WhaT abOuT gOlden
raTiO ? The debaTe …
Some believe that Parthenon illustrates
the application of Golden Ratio in design
Others debate on the matter asserting that
Golden Ratio was not used in its design
The Truth always comes in between …

14. Let’s remember what
The Golden Section is


15. How to construct a
Golden Rectangle

16. challenging facTs
abOuT parThenOn
1. Parthenon was
constructed using
few straight or
parallel lines so it
appears more
visually
pleasing, a
brilliant work of
engineering

17. 2. Even if Golden Ratio wasn’t intentionally
used in its design, Golden Ratio
proportions appear on the structure
and dimensions of Parthenon

18. The golden
recTangle in The
facade

19. how golden raTio applies
on columns and frieze

20. inTerior recTangles

21. The golden spiral

22. anThem in The
acropolis museum

23. new museum of acropolis
The parThenon room

24. TheaTer ofTheaTer of
epidavrusepidavrus

25. How Fibonacci numbers apply
in tHe series oF rows :
below 34 rows
upper 21 rows
Total 55 rows

26. Coming to Conclusions
Maths and Art : a Harmony Conjuction
Had Greeks of the 5th
century B.C. full knowledge and
intentionally used Golden Ratio Proportions to build
temples, theaters, statues and various work of art ?
How is Harmony expressed in Art ?
How do humans evaluate Beauty ?

27. Maths & Art : a Harmony Conjuction
Ancient Greeks used many proportions on their
artistic creations, not Golden Ratio alone
Beauty in Art isn’t measured by geometry alone
Our perception of Beauty is not fully explained yet by
psychologists
The human Eye is most likely to admire Golden
Proportions on masterpieces of Art

28. Artists may have a deeper understanding in the
Laws of Geometry and Structure
They CREATE not on mathematical terms but
through Inner Drive and Inspiration

29. Resources