Erechtheion — Acropolis of Athens
Ἐρέχθειον · Erechtheum · Erechtheion Temple of Athena Polias and Poseidon-Erechtheus
Late Classical (Peloponnesian War)·Classical Athenian·🇬🇷 Attica, Athens, Acropolis north slope, Greece
About
About Erechtheion — Acropolis of Athens
Asymmetric Ionic masterwork 421–405 BCE on the sacred Mycenaean palace terrace of the Acropolis north side (37.97206,23.72652), housing multiple cults in one roof: Athena Polias (xoanon fallen from heaven), Poseidon-Erechtheus (salt spring and trident mark), Hephaestus and Kekrops/Boutos. East cella Ionic 6-column, north porch 6 columns with tallest Acropolis columns (7.64 m) over the mark of Poseidon's trident, south Caryatid Porch with six Kore maidens (five in Acropolis Museum, one Elgin). Pentelic marble on limestone Mycenaean foundations; irregular plan respects sacred olive tree of Athena and salt well. Bombed 1687, restored 1907 Balanos and 1980s. UNESCO 404.
Why it mattersMost complex Greek temple plan, demonstrating Classical accommodation of Bronze Age cult topography versus Periclean Doric regularity. UNESCO 404.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Which Caryatid was removed by Elgin — south flank 2nd from east?
- 02How Mycenaean palace walls dictated Ionic asymmetry
Theories
- 01Erechtheion as anti-Parthenon: Ionic, feminine, Mycenaean vs Doric, imperial
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- 421–405 BCE (Peloponnesian War, interrupted 413 BCE Sicilian disaster)
- Period
- Late Classical (Peloponnesian War)
- Culture
- Classical Athenian
- Builders
- Phidias circle architects Mnesikles/Philokles; demos commission
- Purpose
- Encompass multiple Bronze Age cult marks (olive tree, salt spring, tomb) in one Ionic complex vs. Parthenon Doric
- Abandoned
- 6th c. CE pagan closure; Frankish palace, Ottoman harem, 1687 Venetian bombardment
- Rediscovered
- 1687 Venetian plans; 19th c. Pennethorne, Balanos anastylosis 1907
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
421 BCE
Work begins under Periclean Peace of Nicias
405 BCE
Completed after Aegospotami crisis
1687
Venetian shell destroys roof
1907
Balanos anastylosis restores Caryatids
On the ground
Structures & features
37.9721° N · 23.7265° E · 150 m · 2 mapped features
Erechtheion — Caryatid Porch (South)
porch6 draped-maiden columns (Kore) 2.31 m high supporting entablature, south porch of Kekrops tomb
37.9720° N · 23.7266° EErechtheion — North Porch and Athena Polias Cella
cellaNorth porch 6 Ionic columns (tallest 7.64 m) with coffered ceiling over Athena Polias xoanon, salt spring of Poseidon mark
37.9721° N · 23.7264° E