The Parthenon The Parthenon was a temple to the patron goddess of Athens, Athena. Located atop Athens's Acropolis, the Parthenon was an architectural masterpiece. It was constructed between 447 and 432 BCE by the Greek sculptor Phidias and the Greek architects Ictenus and Callicrates. It the largest temple in Greece. However, subtle elements used in the construction create amazing effects. All of the 46 massive stone columns lean inward slightly, the flutes on the columns taper off a bit near the top and the columns get thinner near the top. When used together these elements create the illusion of "upthrusting motion". The illusion is most effective from a