However , it was also a monument to the power of athens itself ; the parthenon combines the doric architecture of the greek mainland with the ionic style of outlying areas to symbolize a strong , panhellenic league with athens at its political and cultural forefront .
Greek architecture can be grouped into three styles : the doric style which is also called the masculine style ; the ionic style which is also called the feminine style ; and a later style that is called the corinthian style .