The ideals of democracy and intellectual and artistic freedom had reached a zenith in ancient Athens. Intertwined with these were rivalry, power brokering, and patronage. Construction of the Parthenon was championed by Pericles, Athens's most popular elected politician. Pericles's good friend and master sculptor, Pheidias, built the gigantic statue of Athena that stands inside. For alleged embezzlement of resources, and perhaps as a shot at Pericles's power, Pheidias was later run out of town.

民主理想和艺术解放的理想在古雅典时代达到巅峰。然而也不乏有抗争、强权操纵与任命特权交织其中。帕台农神庙正是由古雅典公推最孚众望的政治家培里克利斯一手促成的。殿内巨型雅典娜雕像则是由他的好友──雕塑名家费迪亚斯铸建。或许是对培里克利斯政权的打击，费迪亚斯因为被指控挪用公款仓皇逃出城外。

(短文节选,本篇始于：帕台农神庙)