University of Georgia Held "Rethinking the Parthenon" Symposium

The successful event presented and discussed vital contemporary research on the monumental Parthenon. As the University states, "Today its marble shell is the most iconic remnant of classical Greek civilization, a veritable shorthand for classicism and western civilization itself."

The symposium focused on three correlated but frequently overlooked elements of the Parthenon including its color, materiality and aesthetics. The University described, "Interdisciplinary research in London and Athens has uncovered extensive vestiges of ancient painting on the sculptures and architecture of the Parthenon".

The educational institute added, "These exciting discoveries add new insights to old discussions of the building's decoration, in particular about the temple's original polychrome appearance. Of critical importance is consideration of the diversity of the Parthenon's construction materials, including white marble, bronze, ivory, gold, and pigments, and the complex symbolism and material aesthetics of their religious use."

The mission of the "Rethinking the Parthenon: Color, Materiality & Aesthetics" international symposium was to showcase new methods of seeing and viewing the past; not just for scholars in Ancient Greek culture and art, but for everyone intrigued by the impressive Hellenic structure.