The Parthenon was originally part of a building campaign on the Acropolis that began around 450 b.c. Before, the Athenians had led heroic victories against Persian invaders. Around 150 to 200 cities across the Aegean began paying Athens sums of what amounted to protection money. The Athenians felt unstoppable at this point. They planned their new temple complex with the Parthenon as the centerpiece. We have been able to estimate the cost of the construction at somewhere between 340 to 800 silver talents. However, the new construction project was not welcomed by everyone in Athens. The people saw the construction as vain and they were also upset that the money being used to build the Parthenon was originally handed over as the usual