Interior of the Parthenon in Athens

The Parthenon's interior spaces were designed with both functionality and religious significance in mind. These spaces housed treasures and served important ceremonial purposes in ancient Athens.

The Cella and the Opisthodomos

The cella (or naos - the root of the modern words nave and navy) formed the main inner chamber of the Parthenon. This rectangular room housed the massive gold and ivory statue of Athena Parthenos created by Phidias, standing nearly 40 feet tall.

The cella was divided into sections by two Doric colonnades that ran along its sides and back. These rows of columns supported the roof and helped frame the statue of Athena. Behind the cella stood the opisthodomos, a separate treasury room. This secure space stored valuable tribute from Athens' allies and other precious items.

The opisthodomos would have had four Ionic columns supporting its ceiling. Hellenic officials carefully tracked the treasures stored here in detailed inventories inscribed on marble tablets.

Both rooms featured polychromic painted detailing, though little of this color remains visible today.

The Upper Galleries

Above the lower colonnade in the cella, a second story of smaller columns created upper galleries. These galleries allowed visitors to view the Athena statue from different angles.

The galleries likely featured Ionic columns rather than the Doric order used in the exterior colonnade. This superposition of orders was unusual in Greek architecture, but created visual interest, and anticipated later Roman examples of different orders stacked in sequence - such as at the Colosseum.

The ceiling of the Parthenon rose to impressive heights above these galleries. Wooden beams likely supported a coffered ceiling with colorful painted decoration.

Some historians believe these upper areas may have displayed tribute items or votive offerings. Access to the galleries was likely restricted to priests and important officials.

The galleries also provided structural support, helping distribute the weight of the massive roof that covered the entire temple.

Influence on Modern Architecture

The ancient columns of the Acropolis continue to influence the design of buildings around the world today. Contemporary architects regularly draw inspiration from these classical Greek designs when creating important structures.

Greek Doric columns, with their simple, sturdy appearance, often appear on government buildings and banks. Their solid proportions communicate strength and stability. The Lincoln Memorial in Washington DC uses Greek Doric columns to draw parallels between the accomplishments of President Lincoln within American Democracy and the great leaders of the various Greek city states (such as Pericles), where the concept of Democracy was ostensibly invented.  Though really, the monumental Lincoln statue takes the place in the temple not of Pericles but of Athena: the famously martyred president now deified within U.S. political mythology.

Doric Order in the Parthenon

Ionic columns with their scroll-like capitals often appear in courthouses and museums. These elegant columns add sophistication to modern designs while connecting to vibrant historical traditions throughout the Mediterranean. 

The ornate Corinthian style remains popular for luxury hotels and high-end residences. Their detailed, leafy capitals create a sense of richness that appeals to contemporary designers seeking to impress.

Many contemporary interpretations modify these classical forms. Architects might use:

• Simplified versions of Greek columns

• New materials like concrete or steel

• Exaggerated proportions for dramatic effect

  
  

Universities and libraries also frequently incorporate Greek architectural elements. These buildings typically use classical columns to symbolize a connection to the origins of western academia and specifically the areas of contemporary study that originated in Greece and Rome, usually called the classics.

Even when not directly reproducing cannonical Greek columns, contemporary buildings often follow principles of balance and proportion derived from the classical orders. The process of creating a carefully considered and coordinated design founded in a study of human perception and mathematical precision exemplified by the architecture of The Acropolis continues to fundamentally influence design thinking around the world.

The enduring appeal of classical columns demonstrates the potential for truly great design to reverberate across centuries, and even millennia.