DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.973#0016
8 CATALOGUE OF SCULPTURE.
The principal chamber (cella or Hekatompedos) within
the colonnade contained the colossal statue of Athene
Parthenos (see below, Nos. 300-302). Externally the
f cella was decorated with a frieze in low relief (see below,
p. 65). The two pediments (see below, Nos. 303, 304)
were filled with figures sculptured in the round. Above
the architrave, or beam resting on the columns, were
metopes, or square panels, adorned with groups in very-
high relief (see p. 49). All these sculptured decorations
were executed, like the architecture, in Pentelic marble.
The statue of the Parthenos is known to have been in
existence about 430 A.D.; but not long after this date the
figure was removed, and the Parthenon was converted
into a Christian church, dedicated at first to Santa Sophia
(or the Divine Wisdom), and afterwards to the Panagia (or
Virgin Mary). For the purposes of the church, an apse
was built at the east end of the cella, and the entrance
was moved to the west end. The building was also given
a vaulted roof, which covered the cella alone. In conse-
quence the frieze was exposed to the weather, and the
east pediment was much destroyed. Prom 1206 to 1458,
during the period of the Prankish Dukes of Athens, the
Parthenon was a Latin Church. Athens was taken by the
Turks in 1458, and the Parthenon was again an Orthodox
Greek church for two years. In 1460, however, it was
converted into a Turkish mosque. Prom this date it
probably suffered little until 1687, when Athens was
taken by the Venetian General, Morosini. In the course
of a bombardment of the Acropolis, the besiegers suc-
ceeded in throwing a shell into a powder magazine in the
Parthenon, and caused an explosion that destroyed the
roof and much of the long sides of the building. Further
injury was done by Morosini, who made an attempt to
take down the central group of the west pediment, which
was still nearly complete.
The principal chamber (cella or Hekatompedos) within
the colonnade contained the colossal statue of Athene
Parthenos (see below, Nos. 300-302). Externally the
f cella was decorated with a frieze in low relief (see below,
p. 65). The two pediments (see below, Nos. 303, 304)
were filled with figures sculptured in the round. Above
the architrave, or beam resting on the columns, were
metopes, or square panels, adorned with groups in very-
high relief (see p. 49). All these sculptured decorations
were executed, like the architecture, in Pentelic marble.
The statue of the Parthenos is known to have been in
existence about 430 A.D.; but not long after this date the
figure was removed, and the Parthenon was converted
into a Christian church, dedicated at first to Santa Sophia
(or the Divine Wisdom), and afterwards to the Panagia (or
Virgin Mary). For the purposes of the church, an apse
was built at the east end of the cella, and the entrance
was moved to the west end. The building was also given
a vaulted roof, which covered the cella alone. In conse-
quence the frieze was exposed to the weather, and the
east pediment was much destroyed. Prom 1206 to 1458,
during the period of the Prankish Dukes of Athens, the
Parthenon was a Latin Church. Athens was taken by the
Turks in 1458, and the Parthenon was again an Orthodox
Greek church for two years. In 1460, however, it was
converted into a Turkish mosque. Prom this date it
probably suffered little until 1687, when Athens was
taken by the Venetian General, Morosini. In the course
of a bombardment of the Acropolis, the besiegers suc-
ceeded in throwing a shell into a powder magazine in the
Parthenon, and caused an explosion that destroyed the
roof and much of the long sides of the building. Further
injury was done by Morosini, who made an attempt to
take down the central group of the west pediment, which
was still nearly complete.