As we time-travelers continue our stroll through ancient Athens, there’s one place we can’t miss seeing—the Parthenon.
This temple of the goddess Athena on the Acropolis (the hill in the center of town) was completed in 438 BCE. It is decorated with sculptures all around. Inside is a huge gold and ivory statue of Athena. Outside, on the walls near the peak of the roof, amazingly detailed sculptures depict the birth of Athena. There’s also a scene of her competing with Poseidon, god of the sea.
Architects and sculptors were just two types of artists who thrived during the Golden Age. Greek authors and poets developed new styles of writing. Theater became a popular entertainment and an important part of Greek literature. The word theater means “a place to see,” and Athens in those days was famous for its skilled playwrights. Even today, Greek literature still influences writers and language.
