Western Civilization I / Unit 4 WC1 0319 short lesson, about 20 seconds
The Golden Ratio and the Parthenon
Captions available
The idea
Greek art pursued perfection through balance, symmetry and geometry, the anchor naming the golden ratio. The Parthenon, Athena's temple on the Acropolis, sets its height to width by that ratio, its columns and carvings the anchor's elegance and grandeur.
In practice
Built on Delian League money.
Where people slip
The golden ratio claim rests on the anchor. The Parthenon is witnessed sixteen times.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
Something wrong in this lesson? Flag it