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Nova: Secrets of the Parthenon

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The Parthenon, considered by many the ultimate monument of antiquity, has coexisted in recent years with the glaring presence of modern construction, as a Parthenon reconstruction project which began in the mid-1970s continues its slow and somewhat controversial pace. This Nova episode addressing the secrets of the Parthenon's construction paints a rather rosy picture, referring to the one hundred million dollars that has already been spent but saying nothing about the debate over remaining finances at this point. The program does make clear why the restoration has been such a long and drawn out process, however -- it has been very much a learning process, revealing much new information on the original construction.

The Parthenon was completed in 432 B.C., a mere eight years after construction began. It is, of course, a shadow of its former self. Much of it lies in ruin, and the incredible statues that once graced its interior have been looted (mostly by Europeans of the 18th and 19th century). Still, even in ruins this monument to the glory of ancient Athens still sits majestically stop the summit of the Acropolis. One can hardly imagine a world without it, which is precisely why a decades-long effort to restore it was launched. After some 2500 years, what remains of the Parthenon was in danger of collapsing. As a traditionalist, I find it slightly troubling to see new pieces of marble being combined with the original stonework, but there is no other way to save it - and new material is only being used to replace pieces that can no longer be found among the ruins. And, of course, it's not a full restoration, as it is only preserving the Parthenon as we know it today.

The "secrets" detailed in this documentary are basically all architectural in nature. For example, no matter how perfectly symmetric the monument may look, there are subtle curves even on the foundations and cornices, the columns taper up oh so slightly, no two stones are exactly alike, and there are almost no right angles in evidence anywhere. Much is made of the incredible precision of the marble stones. One prominent idea discussed is that the design was modeled on the supposed ideal proportions of the human body, along with the notion that the ancient Greeks understood and incorporated the existence of optical illusions into the design. Answers to some of the most mysterious architectural secrets of the Parthenon are only now being found, as those on the restoration project have been compelled to learn as much as they can figure out about the original design, and physical evidence from other ancient Greek sites help explain how the builders achieved such precision among builders using Doric, Common, as well as Ionic design techniques.

It's taking decades for modern technological man to restore only a portion of a monument that the ancient Greeks completely built in just eight years. Clearly, we still have much to discover and learn from "the secrets of the Parthenon."

I have been waiting for something like this to come out. I am a teacher of Greek architecture and the entasis question was never understood. This is a wonderful exploration into Greek architecture and mathematics. Things are explained and shown.

This video gives details into the construction and reconstruction of the Parthenon. Shot on location in Greece and Turkey with expert commentary.

Even though I purchased this for my husband, I found myself fascinated with it myself. It's just a good
educational, interesting movie.

NOVA is nearly always worth watching. It's fascinating to see how they are restoring the Parthenon using marble from the same quarry which supplied the original Temple, and oftentimes the same techniques.

It was also interesting to find that the Parthenon does NOT conform to the "Golden Ratio" as has been believed for centuries, and which I was taught about in Art Class a long time ago.