Final answer:
The Parthenon and other structures on the Athenian Acropolis were built in the mid-fifth century BCE under the direction of Pericles and financed through the Delian League's tribute money. Phidias, with architects Iktinos and Kallikrates, designed and managed the construction of these classical Greek architectural masterpieces.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Athenian Acropolis, including the renowned Parthenon, was constructed under the guidance of the general and statesman Pericles. The Parthenon and other significant structures like the Propylaea, the Erechtheion, and the temple of Athena Nike were built as part of a grand building program during the mid-fifth century BCE, subsequent to the Persian war. The artist Phidias was responsible for the overall conceptual design, acting as the general contractor, with architects Iktinos and Kallikrates overseeing the construction of the Parthenon specifically, a process which took place between 447 and 438 BCE.
Financing for these monumental constructions came from the tribute money originally collected for the Delian League, which Pericles controversially reallocated from the island of Delos to Athens following the previous temple's destruction in the Persian War. This temple was idolized for Athena, the patron goddess of Athens, and within its walls housed a colossal gold and ivory statue of Athena crafted by Phidias himself. The Acropolis and its buildings serve as profound exemplars of Classical Greek architecture and hold substantial historical and artistic significance.