The Parthenon was built at the instruction of Pericles, a powerful political leader in Athens during the period of 449-431 bc. He decided to build the Parthenon to honor of the goddess Athena. Find out more in Parthenon, a title in the Structural Wonders of the World series. These books identify some of the world's best-known structures, exploring their history, the people responsible for their creation, and the science behind their construction. Each title features informative text, colorful photographs and maps, and a timeline detailing the steps toward construction.