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QUESTION:

Parthenon temple Vs Temple of Horus Differences and Similarities

ANSWER:

Parthenon temple Vs Temple of Horus

Parthenon temple monument dominates the hill of Acropolis at Athens. It is basically seen as the culmination of development of Doric order. Callicrates and also Ictinus are said to be architects of Parthenon which is among the largest temples on the mainland of Greek. Callicrates designed the Temple of Athena Nike with Ictinus on the Athenian Acropolis, the Parthenon. The precisely cut masonry was carefully placed which ensured Parthenon was intact for millennials. Parthenon temple was built and dedicated to Greek goddess Athena Parthenon. Parthenon was part of a magnificent rebuilding program that was directed by Athenian statesman Pericles. Nevertheless, Parthenon was to be made the chief shrine to Athena and the treasury of Delian League.  

On the other hand, in Temple of Horus, the Ptolemaic temple was a settlement and a cemetery as well from 3000 BC onwards. The monument is newer compared to cult temples at Luxor. However, it is an excellent state of preservation that filled various historical gaps. The building follows the general plan and traditions used pharaonic architecture.

Build

Parthenon is said to be built under supervision of artist Phidias. Parthenon was built by people who were well familiar with how marble works. Phidias was in charge of the buildings and also the decorations of sculptures. Pericles initiated the building project that lasted in the half of the century. In 447 BC is when architects Ictinos and Callicrates as well started their work of building and by 432, the work was completed. Decoration work continued to take place until 431. Parthenon monument was built at the hill of Acropolis at Athens. The purpose of the monument has kept on changing but first, the temple was a dedication to goddess Athena Parthenos.

Additionally, the Temple of Horus was built in the course of approximately 180 years. It was built by Ptolemies who started the work in 237 BC and the construction was under Ptolemy III. By 57 BC, the temple was finished and it was among the largest dedicated to Horus’s cult in Egypt. Again, the temple would host various functions and festivals that were held in the honor of Horus’s cult.

 Culture civilization

Parthenon is referred to as a symbol of endurance of Ancient Greece, western civilization and even democracy as well. To people who build the monument, the Parthenon and many other Periclean monuments of Acropolis, they were seen as celebrations of Hellenic victory. Besides, the victory was as a way of giving thanks to the gods for the victory and also over Persian invaders. Parthenon served as a city treasury just like any other Greek temple.

Temple of Horus in Egypt was built for official worship of the god. Pharaoh’s obligations was to house and care for all the gods.   The temple also were built to commemorate pharaoh in the early Egypt. The religion taught people how there was chaotic swirling waters in the beginning out of which a small hill called ben-ben rose.

Uniqueness.

Parthenon is regarded as culmination of Doric order and it has various ionic elements that makes it unique. The ionic elements include the interior sculptural band or rather interior frieze. In addition, it embodies several extraordinary architectural refinements. Some of the experts believe that the elements were intended to correct for distortions in human vision. In terms of artistic structures, its decorative structures are seen as high points of Greek art.

Additionally, Horus was unique in various ways as it represented importance of the sky as well as sun and their powers in all aspects of life of Egyptians.

Layout

In terms of layout, Parthenon has combined various elements of Doric and ionic orders as well in its building. Basically, the temple features a frieze sculpture that is borrowed from ionic order and it is continuous Again, the four ionic columns are used to support the roofing of the opisthodomos. The major theme of Parthenon temple was to fight chaos and order as well. The war among Persians and Greek.

Besides, Horus temple layout at Edfu has a massive entrance pylon that is covered with sunk relief carvings. The carvings are said to be originally brightly painted. The temple was constructed using sandstone.

Similarities.

The two temples had a god that they worshiped and they believed he is their supreme god. However, the temples were used for worship and important festivals were carried out in the temples as well. In both Parthenon and Temple of Horus, the temple were built under control for official worship. Besides, the idea of supreme deity is common in both Parthenon temple. and Temple of Horus temple. They believed in honoring their gods as a way to keep them happy. Again, pyramids were built as well as special temples for the worship of their gods. Their religion was polytheistic which showed that they believed in many gods that they worshipped as well.

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