The Erechtheion

The Erechtheion, 421-405 B.C.E. (Classical Greek), Acropolis, Athens

The Erechtheion is an Ancient Greek temple built on the acropolis, (a fortified part of an Ancient Greek city, typically built on a hill) in Athens between 421 BCE and 406 BCE. Although this temple has suffered through misuse and neglect, it remains one of the most distinctive buildings of antiquity from the Golden Age in its well known position above the city, and porch of six Caryatids. The Erechtheion was a project to replace the buildings that were damaged of the acropolis due to the Persian attack on the city in 480 BCE. The results of this project included several other complex temples who's construction began in 447 BCE, with the Erechtheion being the final piece that began in 421 BCE. In spite that this project was interrupted by the continuation of hostilities between Athens and Sparta hence the finalizing construction in 406 BCE. The Erechtheion was named after the demi-god Erechtheus, the mythical Athenian king was considered to be a suitable structure to house the ancient wooden cult statue of Athena. This statue maintained its religious significance despite the massive chryselephantine statue that arrived nearby in Parthenon, which ties into the function of this specific temple. Its purpose was not only to hold the wooden statue, but to glorify the great city at the height of its power and tremendous influence. The temple of Erechtheion without a doubt had other functions than these, noting that there was a shrine for other ancient cults.

Like mentioned before, the temple of Erechtheion has suffered a very unstable history. Only ten years after full completion, it had been damaged by a fire and repaired in 395 BCE. It was created into a small palace and Christian church in the 6th century CE, suffered embarrassment for the satisfaction of the Turkish governor as being used for a harem in 1460 CE and in 1801 CE, Turkish authorities granted Lord Elgin permission to take any sculpture or carving he desired. Nevertheless, Erechtheion was partially reconstructed starting in 1833 CE, along with excavations. Further work has been done on the temple carried throughout the late 20th century. 



Citations
Dr. Jeffrey A. Becker, "Introduction to ancient Greek architecture," in Smarthistory, August 8, 2015, accessed September 9, 2020, https://smarthistory.org/introduction-to-greek-architecture/.

Cartwright, M. (2012, December 03). Erechtheion. Ancient History Encyclopedia. Retrieved from https://www.ancient.eu/Erechtheion/