The Erectheion was a temple dedicated to Athena contest Victory
over Poseidon. Athena and Poseidon had contest to decide which
deity would be the patron god of the city of Athens. Poseidon
struck hi strident upon the ground and made a sprout of water
appear. Athena took Poseidon water and caused an olive tree to
grow. The olive tree was considered the greatest gift and so Athena
was chosen to be the goddess of the city. The temple uses the ionic
column order, known for the scroll like design on the capital.
Ionic was a slender graceful column. The Erectherion columns are 18
feet in height. The building housed a wooden image of Athena and
offerings. The structure is a split level design with portions ten
feet higher for the back rooms.
Slide 10
Athens, Erechtheion (421-405 B.C.) E.facade & S. flank This
room is at a higher elevation than front. The columns here are 12
feet in height and smaller in diameter than front columns. Notice
that the stone is not carved on the inside. The interior of Greek
building were less important than exterior. Porch of maidens is
visible as well. The building was damaged during the Greek war for
independence from 1821 1833.
Slide 11
Athens, Erechtheion (421-405 B.C.). Porch of Maidens The six
maidens are attendants to Athena. They are clothed in traditional
dress called a peplos. The headdresses become supports for the
roof. statues.
Slide 12
Theatre of Dionysus Southside of Acropolis Watch video on
chapter two page about it.
Slide 13
Polykleitos Doryphoros (marble) ca.450 B.C. Roman copy.
Bologna, Museo Civico
Slide 14
Versions of the Doryphoros Polykeltios statue was very popular
during the fifth century and with the later Romans.
Slide 15
Praxiteles Aphrodite of Knidos, (marble) Roman copy. Rome,
Vatican Mus.