DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.5253#0262
PLAN OF THE PARTHENON.
22g
who has cleared away many difficulties, let us look at that crowning work of
Greek genius in which all the patient steps upward, all the experimenting
traceable in older temples, seem blended into a perfect organic whole.39° The
main body of the structure, completely encircled by a row of columns which
supported the roof, consisted of four distinct parts ; namely, two porticos and
their adjoining apartments (Fig. 112). In both porticos the pillars were
united to each other by a lofty bronze protection, doubtless open-work, reach-
ing away to the architrave, and forming a safe repository for treasure or costly
offerings. Through the prouaos, or front portico, was entered the Jiccatompcdos,
that sacred place where stood the great statue. Around three sides of this
space ran a row of columns, forming thus an encircling aisle. Not in a niche,
but within this colonnade, and receiving light from an opening in the roof, stood
the great temple-statue, so that worshippers walking in the aisles could view its
colossal form from all sides. That there was in the Parthenon an upper row of
columns supporting the roof, and forming
a gallery from which people could look
down upon the statue, does not seem
probable ; as no mention of such a gal-
lery has been made, and no steps have
been found leading up to it, as at
Olympia. In front of the statue was
the space above which the roof was
open, affording light. This space, in-
cluding the place occupied by the statue,
had a protecting screen around it, running from pillar to pillar, and serving,
doubtless, to keep off the crowd. In this part of the temple, the Jiccatompcdos,
occupied by the great statue, hung the wreaths, and stood votive offerings.
Against the deep red lining of the walls the mellow gold and ivory of the stat-
ues and the golden garlands must have formed a luxurious harmony of color, to
which the stern lines of columns, and easier ones of the statues, added their
simple beauty. Here each object was doubtless arranged with regard to its sur-
roundings, and in true taste ; as we may infer from the analogy of Delos, where,
as the order in the inscriptions intimates, there was genuine artistic grouping.391
To the rear of this columned and richly furnished hecatompedos was a kind
of sacristy, but without a connecting-door. Here were stored the archives,
and all manner of objects used in the great festivals and ritual. The silver
vessels, here kept for the processions, numbered, at one time, one hundred and
fifty. Here were the garments and jewels worn at great festivals, as well as
booty, besides many injured objects, such as golden leaves fallen from the
wreaths, nails from the doors of the cella, and the like. Into this apartment,
called, in official language, the Parthenon, the access was through the rear
portico, or opistJiodomos, in one part of which were kept the moneys of Athena,
Fig. 112. Ground-plan of the Parthenon, according to
Dbrpfeld.
22g
who has cleared away many difficulties, let us look at that crowning work of
Greek genius in which all the patient steps upward, all the experimenting
traceable in older temples, seem blended into a perfect organic whole.39° The
main body of the structure, completely encircled by a row of columns which
supported the roof, consisted of four distinct parts ; namely, two porticos and
their adjoining apartments (Fig. 112). In both porticos the pillars were
united to each other by a lofty bronze protection, doubtless open-work, reach-
ing away to the architrave, and forming a safe repository for treasure or costly
offerings. Through the prouaos, or front portico, was entered the Jiccatompcdos,
that sacred place where stood the great statue. Around three sides of this
space ran a row of columns, forming thus an encircling aisle. Not in a niche,
but within this colonnade, and receiving light from an opening in the roof, stood
the great temple-statue, so that worshippers walking in the aisles could view its
colossal form from all sides. That there was in the Parthenon an upper row of
columns supporting the roof, and forming
a gallery from which people could look
down upon the statue, does not seem
probable ; as no mention of such a gal-
lery has been made, and no steps have
been found leading up to it, as at
Olympia. In front of the statue was
the space above which the roof was
open, affording light. This space, in-
cluding the place occupied by the statue,
had a protecting screen around it, running from pillar to pillar, and serving,
doubtless, to keep off the crowd. In this part of the temple, the Jiccatompcdos,
occupied by the great statue, hung the wreaths, and stood votive offerings.
Against the deep red lining of the walls the mellow gold and ivory of the stat-
ues and the golden garlands must have formed a luxurious harmony of color, to
which the stern lines of columns, and easier ones of the statues, added their
simple beauty. Here each object was doubtless arranged with regard to its sur-
roundings, and in true taste ; as we may infer from the analogy of Delos, where,
as the order in the inscriptions intimates, there was genuine artistic grouping.391
To the rear of this columned and richly furnished hecatompedos was a kind
of sacristy, but without a connecting-door. Here were stored the archives,
and all manner of objects used in the great festivals and ritual. The silver
vessels, here kept for the processions, numbered, at one time, one hundred and
fifty. Here were the garments and jewels worn at great festivals, as well as
booty, besides many injured objects, such as golden leaves fallen from the
wreaths, nails from the doors of the cella, and the like. Into this apartment,
called, in official language, the Parthenon, the access was through the rear
portico, or opistJiodomos, in one part of which were kept the moneys of Athena,
Fig. 112. Ground-plan of the Parthenon, according to
Dbrpfeld.