| 036 of 120. In designing the Parthenon (Temple of Athena Parthenos) , the ancient architect Iktinos placed eight columns instead of the typical six at the front of the temple. The Greeks recognized that an optical illusion occurs when viewing a long straight line....that the line tends to appear concave. The Parthenon has what are known as 'optical refinements' built into its structure. In order to correct the perception that the perspective from a low vantage point might make the columns appear too slender in a way that would suggest weakness - he made each column bulge slightly. |
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