A mathematician has challenged a long-standing belief about the Parthenon, the iconic Greek temple overlooking Athens, through a detailed study of optical illusions. This investigation, led by Prof. Alain Goriely at the University of Oxford, suggests that the temple's curves, often credited with correcting optical illusions, may not serve that purpose at all.
The Myth of Optical Corrections
For over 2,000 years, scholars have praised the architects of the Parthenon for their innovative use of geometry. It has been widely believed that the temple's subtle curves were designed to counteract optical illusions that could distort its clean lines. However, Goriely's research indicates that these supposed illusions are either unfounded or nearly imperceptible, effectively rendering them an illusion themselves.
In his study, Goriely traces the origins of this myth back to the 1st-century Roman architect Vitruvius, who wrote about the Parthenon 400 years after its construction. His accounts have been perpetuated in architectural literature and continue to be referenced today, even by modern AI chatbots. Goriely remarked, "I do think it might be the oldest myth that we have, apart from religion."
