No sale. Phidias the great architect designed the exterior of the Parthenon to be welcoming before awing the worshipping people with the powerful statue of Athens in side His statue of Zeus later was the same; a consummate presenter of the power of the old gods
I think this fits with Connolly's theory. A statue of Athena, patron goddess of the city, was located inside the Parthenon. On the exterior, a pictorial about people giving their lives in defense of Athena's city - a familiar story. The combination is not only awe-inspiring, but also humbling and a reminder to all of their duty as Athenians.
Yes, it lacks the implied grandiose worship of the more common interpretation, but I don't see any real incongruity posed by Connolly's opinion.