The illusion of illusions: There are no optical corrections in the Parthenon

Abstract

One of the oldest and most enduring myths in human history is the belief that the Parthenon was cleverly designed with various curved structures and sizes in order to correct optical illusions, and therefore appear straight and regular. The myth has its origin in the writings of Vitruvius more than 2,000 years ago and was renewed in the nineteenth century when curved profiles were carefully measured. At least twelve different \textit{optical corrections} have been proposed, all following the same basic principle. The myth is still widely acknowledged as an obvious truth despite a complete absence of historical or scientific evidence. This paper analyzes these corrections scientifically and demonstrates that the illusions they are supposed to correct are either non-existent or so small as to be imperceptible.