The Eight Columns on the Façade of the Parthenon on the Acropolis in Greece

Seeing the Parthenon during our trip to Athens, Greece was certainly one of the most interesting sites that we visited. At night, the Parthenon was lit up so that it can be seen from all around the city. The fact that there are eight columns on the façade and seventeen columns on the flanks was done very specifically by the ancient Greeks. They wanted to conform to the 9:4 ratio that was a common design in the days that the Parthenon was built. This ratio governs the relationship between the vertical and horizontal proportions. It is also true of the relationship of the spacing between the columns to the height of the columns. Obviously, geometry was extremely important to the ancient Greeks and it is fascinating to see how they applied this to their lives and to the monuments that they created.

Looking Up at the Parthenon
Parthenon from the Distance to Get a Sense of the Proportions
Parthenon and the Acropolis at Sunset
Different View of the Parthenon
Even the Zappeion Mansion has Eight Columns at the Entrance
Standing in Front of the Parthenon

9 thoughts on “The Eight Columns on the Façade of the Parthenon on the Acropolis in Greece

  1. Your post on the Parthenon reminds me of my visit to Athens and a special meeting. As I approached the Acropolis, the crowd I could see from afar made me postpone my visit. Finally I went there at the end of the day, when the site was beginning to empty, determined to stay as long as possible. Curiously at closing time, there was no evacuation, but more and more policemen. A little surprised I continued my photos taking advantage of the beautiful golden light. Fewer and fewer tourists, but more and more policemen. Finally I understood what was happening, the Romanian president (the former) was on an official visit, the Acropolis remained open for him. Passing by me, he even stopped to exchange a few words, to find out where I was coming from. Memories.

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