Classical Archaeology Assignment. Life Sciences Essay

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Classical Archeology
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10. The Greek Temples at Paestum; Description and Significance.
Paestum was a significant ancient Greek city built by Greek settlers in present day Southern Italy region of Campania from 600- 450 BC. Also known as Poseidonia, Paestum is famous for its three ancient Temple; Temple of Hera (Hera I or Basilica), Neptune Temple (Hera II) and Temple of Athena (Ceres).
Hera I is the oldest of the three structures built in 550 BC. The temple was dubbed Basilica after prior archaeologists mistook it for a Roman town hall building. CITATION Nig13 \p 530 \l 1033 (Wilson 530)However, figurines and inscriptions dedicated to the Greek goddess Hera were later unearthed after further excavation was carried out. Also, an altar was discovered in the open air in front of the temple. This led researchers to believe that this Temple was built for the purpose of worshipping the goddess Hera.
Constructed in the Doric order between 460- 450BC, The Neptune temple is located north of Hera I. It was erroneously believed to be dedicated to Poseidon. Its columns have twenty four flutes rather than the typical twenty flutes with broader column size and smaller gaps between columns. It also had two altars on its eastern side. The temple was dedicated to worship the Greek god Zeus.
The Temple of Athena sits on the highest point of Paestum. It was built in 500 BC and was initially thought to have been devoted to Ceres. However, after the discovery of numerous goddess Athena statuettes, it was believed that the temple was dedicated to her. Its architecture features both the Ionic and early Doric styles. Three middle age Christian tombs are indicative of the temple being used as a Christian church at one time.
6. The sanctuary of Apollo at Delphi; its description and building history.
The sanctuary of Apollo at Delphi was a vital sacred temple dedicated to Apollo, the ancient Greek god of music, harmony and light. The sanctuary is centrally located among a number of interspersed ruins on the southern slopes of Mount Parnassus near the Gulf of Corinth.
The sanctuary was the home of the high priestesses famously known as the Pythia who also served as an oracle offering obscure guidance and prophesies to city states. It was also played host to the Panhellenic Pythian Games.
The striking temple withstood numerous turbulent incarnations before settling to the ruinous condition that it is in today. The first temple was constructed in 7th c. BC and the works attributed Agamedes and Trophonios who were highly acclaimed architects. In the 6th c. BC, it was rebuilt after being destroyed by fire and was renamed as Temple of Alcmeonidae honoring a noble Athenian family which had played a great role in its reconstruction by sourcing for funds from Greece and other foreign lands. The sanctuary was of the Doric order with six frontal columns and flanked with fifteen columns. CITATION Anc \l 1033 (Ancient-Greece.org)
In the year 373 BC however, an earthquake brought down the temple and was rebuilt in a similar manner as the Alcmeonidae for the third time in 330 BC by Corinthian architects Agathon, Spintharox and Xenodoros. Its pediments were adorned by carving creations of famous Athenian sculptors Androsthenes and Praxias. CITATION Anc \l 1033 (Ancient-Greece.org)
4. The Parthenon and the Chryselephantine Athena and the Panathenaea; description and significance.
The Parthenon is a former temple devoted to the Greek goddess Athena by the ancient people of Athens and it sits on the Athenian Acropolis in Greece. Its construction was completed in 438 BC and it was considered as the zenith of the advancement of the Doric order. Its main purpose was to shelter the epic chryselephantine statue of Athena crafted by Pheidias and made of gold and ivory. The Parthenon is considered a symbol of democracy and an accolade to the Athenians for their victory in the Greco-Persian wars of 492- 449 BC.
The statue of Athena stood at an estimated 40ft tall wit...