Watch the Program


This one-hour program is divided into five chapters. Choose any chapter below and select QuickTime or Windows Media Player to begin viewing the video. If you experience difficulty viewing, it may be due to high demand. We regret this and suggest you try back at another time. Technical Help \| Feedback \| Program Credits \| Program Transcript \| For Teachers


		An Icon of Civilization A highly sophisticated restoration team is painstakingly reassembling the Parthenon of Athens—a classic Greek building that has suffered from wars, earthquakes, and disastrous previous restoration attempts. running time 8:05

	watch chapter 1 in Quicktime Windows Media: hi \| low



		Optical Illusions The Parthenon's builders created dauntingly precise yet subtle curves throughout the structure, giving the building its legendary grace. running time 7:38

	watch chapter 2 in Quicktime Windows Media: hi \| low



		Lost Since Antiquity Etched in the marble itself, the restoration team discovers traces made by the ingenious tools the stonemasons used to carve the blocks with such speed and precision. running time 10:57

	watch chapter 3 in Quicktime Windows Media: hi \| low



		Perfect Proportions Experts examine the extent to which the Parthenon's symmetry and visual harmony is dependent on a system of mathematical proportions. running time 10:57

	watch chapter 4 in Quicktime Windows Media: hi \| low



		A Sculptural Achievement Two hundred miles from Athens, faint lines left behind on another Greek temple reveal the technique the early engineers used to sculpt the Parthenon's perfect curves. running time 11:51

	watch chapter 5 in Quicktime Windows Media: hi \| low