Parthenon, Akropolis, Athens, ca. 447-432 B.C.E.
View of the northeast corner of the stylobate toward the west
(Copyright A. Nicgorski, 1993)
In this view of the Parthenon, one can observe the "upward curvature" of the stylobate (the platform on which the columns rest). In fact, there are no straight lines anywhere in the Parthenon. Everything is slightly curved. In particular, the deep foundation, the stylobate, and the entablature is higher in the center (ca. 2 1/2 inches on the short sides and ca. 4 1/2 inches on the flanks) than it is an the corners. This upward curvature is found in some other Doric temples, but the Parthenon is the most exaggerated and perfect example. The curve appears to be parabolic (a regular conic section). But, it remains a mystery why this curve was introduced. Perhaps it is for a practical reason (drainage?) but, more likely, it is for an aesthetic reason. It may be a sort of optical refinement, i.e. if the building is slightly domed, lines that might otherwise appear to sag would appear to be straight. Or perhaps the curvature was thought to make the building appear larger. Or perhaps the building was curved in order to give it an organic feeling, i.e. since nature abhors everything rectilinear, the curves would allow the building to harmonize with nature and would give a kind of life to the architectural forms.
