What is special about the Erechtheion?
The Erechtheion is unique in the corpus of Greek temples in that its asymmetrical composition doesn’t conform to the canon of Greek classical architecture.
What is the story behind the Erechtheion?
The Erechtheion (or Erechtheum) is an ancient Greek temple constructed on the acropolis of Athens between 421 and 406 BCE in the Golden Age of the city in order to house the ancient wooden cult statue of Athena and generally glorify the great city at the height of its power and influence.
How was the Erechtheion destroyed?
During the Greek War of Independence the building was bombarded by the Ottomans and severely damaged, the ceiling of the north porch was blown up and a large section of the lateral walls of the cella was dismantled. The Erechtheum went through a period of restoration from 1977 to 1988. References: Wikipedia.
Who was the Erechtheion dedicated to?
Athena Polias
The western part of the Erechtheion was dedicated to the worship of Athena Polias, while the eastern part was devoted to Poseidon-Erechtheus. Sacred spots devoted to different deities, including the tomb of Cecrops and Erectheus and a saltwater spring, co-existed in one building.
How old is the Erechtheion?
2,442Érechthéion / Age (c. 421 BC-406 BC)
When was Erechtheion built?
421 BCÉrechthéion / Construction started
How did the Erechtheion get its name?
The Erechtheion was named after the demi-god Erechtheus (Cartwright). The primary function for the Erechtheion was to to house the ancient wooden cult statue of Athena, but also served other purposes as discussed below (Cartwright).
How big is the Erechtheion?
The rectangular section of the cella of the Erechtheion measures 22.22 metres by 11.16 metres. In the interior, the length of the eastern section is 7.32 metres and of the western section, together with the open space extending to the west called the prostomiaion is 10.10 metres.
How tall is the Erechtheion?
Eastern part of the building is a hexastyle prostyle pronaos to a cella with windows on either side of the door which opens east. Western part of the building is a cella with a floor 3 meters lower than the eastern section but with identical ceiling height….Athens, Erechtheion (Building)
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Where was the Erechtheion built?
Erechtheum, ionic temple of Athena, built during 421–405 bc on the Acropolis at Athens, famous largely for its complexity and for the exquisite perfection of its details.
What is the Erechtheion?
The classical Erechtheion is the last in a series of buildings approximately on the mid-north site of the akropolis plateau, the earliest of which dates back to the late Bronze Age Mycenaean period. L. B. Holland conjectured that the remains under the Erechtheion was the forecourt of a palace complex similar to that of Mycenae.
When was the Erechtheion built?
The Erechtheion, designed by the architect Mnesikles, was a complex building constructed in the last twenty years of the 5th century BC. It replaced the “Archaios Neos” (Ancient Temple) of Athena Polias, part of which had been destroyed by the Persians sixty years earlier.
Why is the Erechtheion so overlooked?
Somewhat overshadowed in celebrity building terms by the Parthenon, the Propylaea and perhaps also the Tholos at Delphim hotel, the Erechtheion is sometimes overlooked because of its unusual façades and confusing layout.
Is the Erechtheion the Ionic temple?
However, whether the Erechtheion referred to by Pausanias is indeed the Ionic temple or an entirely different building has become a point of contention in recent decades. In the official decrees the building is referred to as “… το͂ νεὸ το͂ ἐμ πόλει ἐν ο͂ι τὸ ἀρχαῖον ἄγαλμα” (the temple on the Akropolis within which is the ancient statue).