Define the word autochthones in your own words and how it is related to the Athenians/Athens. Why was this concept so important to the Athenians and how did they demonstrate this belief in either art or architecture? Give me at least one example
Autochthones refers to the people who are regarded as the original residents of a land/territory/country. This is so much different from the settlers who came afterwards to find the original inhabitants. This term is quite related to the Athenians, who lived between 5th and 4th Century, claiming to have the pride of existing as an autochthonous country. In which case, the Athenians were claiming that they had not change their habitation place. They demonstrated this belief through wearing golden tettiges and at times wearing ornaments that are cicada-shaped. This showed that they were the original inhabitants of Attica.
Explain to me the myth behind the naming of the city of Athens.
It started as a dispute between Athena and Poseidon, who both wanted to patron Athens. In the verge of attacking each other, Athena coined an idea of a competition to determine the winner of the city. The winner would be decided based on the person who gave the best gift. Poisedon struck the earth but then gave out a spring that was salty like the sea thereby people were not quite impressed. On her side, Athena buried something that gave rise to an olive tree, something that was deemed as the preferred gift. As the result the city was named after herself Athena (Athens).
What are the four themes represented on the Parthenon’s Doric frieze. Why they there and what were was the deeper meaning behind their representation?
The four themes are captured within the process branded as Panathenaia. This involves a celebration to honor the city guard, regarded as Athena. Other aspects included ceremonies and sacrifices made to bring the people together. This is because the people were brought to a catchy procession in the presence of prominent families.
Why is the Parthenon so special in the history of architecture?
Inside the sacred precinct of acropolis had the most fabulous building that is the Parthelon. Acropolis is a city on top of a rock. Parthenon was built within fifteen years. It housed both the sanctuary and a treasury of the Athena. It was 12 meters high ivory and had the gold stature of the goddess of Athena.
Define Chryselephantine in your own words, give me an example from the Acropolis.
Chryselephantine is the confederacy of ancient Greek states under the leadership of Athens. It was founded before the Greco-Persian wars.
What was the most sacred building on the site of the Acropolis and why.
Parthenon building. This is because it was built on the location where an older temple had been built.
What is the Delian league? How was it instrumental in the rebuilding of the Acropolis after the Persian war?
Delian league is the current name for the Athenian kingdom formed by the great king Xerves. It strongly helped in the rebuilding of the state. It had the strongest troop in the entire region. The recall of the fighting troops enabled the king to recall the strongest army that enabled them to fight their enemies and reorganize the settlement of the fallen kingdom into the previous state
Explain to me in detail the festival of the Panathenia in Athens. (who could participate, what was it? Who was involved etc etc etc)
Panathenaian festival was an annual festival in the land of the Athenians with lots of sacrificial attachments. It helped to mark a sacrificial moment in the history of the Athens. The festival entailed a team of maidens from aristocratic families who were commonly known as workers in the land were to participate in weaving the acts. The priestess of Athena, together with the young girls who performed the Arrephoria, could ceremonially inaugurate the tasks involved in the festival. Then the robe was carried out by the Workers. The traditional motif behind the entire festive was the battle of the gods and the giants, in which Athena was said to have had a prominent role.
What are the amphora used for at the Panathenia?
Amphora were very large vessels that were used to carry olive oil during the festive season in the history of the Panethenaians. It was used to mark the value of the oil of the sacred groove in the land. It was specially designed to hold the same
