The Parthenon: Athenian Victory

The scene was 5th century B.C. Athens in ancient Greece. The Athenians had just defeated the Persians in an impressive defense of their great city. An overwhelming sense of pride and victory permeated the minds of every loyal citizen. Cultural and political achievements had reached new heights. Pericles, a fiery orator and elected statesman, had proposed a massive resurrection of the Athenian temples long since destroyed by the Persian invaders. Perhaps the crowning achievement of his new building program was the Parthenon, the temple to be dedicated to commemorate the greatness of th…