The Parthenon is a marvel of Greek architecture and innovation and has the recognition of being one of the most perfect Doric temples ever built. Although now partly in ruins, it stands towering above Athens, a real and tangible item of their power and wealth for centuries.
The Parthenon was built under the rule of the Greek politician Pericles, who sought to restore Athens' temples, which were destroyed by the Persians. They Athenians used the money brought in from the arrangement with members of the Delian League to restore their city to its previous glory. This agreement basically was all of their allies paying Athens to defend them with their warships rather than building their own and having to man them. This made Athens very rich and therefore powerful, which enabling them to build some of the most spectacular temples and buildings in the Greek world. But Athens wealth and power caused jealousy among the other Greek city-states, especially Sparta, which eventually drew to the Peloponnesian War.
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