The Parthenon was the largest, and most spectacular, temple built on the Acropolis in Athens by the Ancient Greeks. It was built in the 5th century BC.

All temples were built on much the same design. The temple was built on a base and approached by steps. The porch was supported by two rows of columns and the outside of the roof was supported by more columns. As a result, columns go right round the temple.

Inside there would have been a giant statue to the goddess, Athena. The inside room had no windows and was lit by oil lamps. Outside there would have been a shrine where sacrifices (usually food in the case of the Greeks) would have been burned. Small pottery offerings would have been placed on the steps. In the days of the Ancient Greeks, they were placed in their thousands. In the case of Athena, there were several statues to the goddess on the Acropolis, including a giant one made out of solid gold. The back end of the Parthenon was used to hold treasures given to the goddess. This treasury room was called a cella.

The Parthenon is built in Doric style, with plain tops to its columns.