The Great Sphinx of Egypt, one of the wonders of ancient Egyptian architecture, adjoins the pyramids of Giza and has a length of 240 ft. Built in the fourth dynasty, it is approximately 4,500 years old. A 10-year, $2.5 million restoration project was completed in 1998. Other Egyptian buildings of note include the Temples of Karnak, Edfu, and Abu Simbel and the Tombs at Beni Hassan.The Parthenon of Greece, built on the Acropolis in Athens, was the chief temple to the goddess Athena. It was believed to have been completed by 438 B.C. The present temple remained intact until the 5th century A.D. Today, though the Parthenon is in ruins, its majestic proportions are still discernible.Other great structures of the ancient Greek world were the Temples at Paestum c. 540 and 420 B.C.; the famous Erechtheum c. 421–405 B.C., the Temple of Athena Nike c. 426 B.C., and the Olympieum begun in the 6th century B.C. in Athens; the Athenian Treasury at Delphi c. 515 B.C.; and the Theater at Epidaurus c. 325 B.C. |