7. Classical Athens: The Erechtheion

 The Erectheion 

The story of the Erechtheion was one of constant change. Built to replace the Old Temple of Athena, though not atop its foundations, it accommodated several cults in the same space. The building's namesake was the hero and foster-child of Athena, Erechtheus. The temple was also dedicated to Athena, Poseidon, Hephaistos, and the hero Boutes - all worshiped in the same space. 
If you have been counting along, that is now three temples to Athena on the Acropolis. 

This temple offers an interesting glimpse at what was going on in Athens as it was building an empire. Pericles and other elites of Athens brought together a mixture of local spaces routed heavily in the foundation mythology of the city and it's heroes, and built up expensive, impressive buildings around them.

North-facing side of the Erechtheion with olive tree - 2016

The Erectheion was built during the same period of time (421 - 406 B.C.E.) as the Parthenon, designed (possibly) by Mnesikles, decorated by Phidias, and commissioned by Pericles. An interesting choice of themes, local heroes and divinities all centered in one place. As discussed in the previous post, Pericles began - by hook or crook - a campaign to revive, re-imagine and recreate the image of Athens. 

North-facing side of the Erechtheion - 2016

The temple is on a slope (as you can see above) which sees the west and north side three metres lower than the southeast portion of the temple.The building size was reduced as a result of the shortage in funds during the Peloponnesian War, and the Caryatids placement hid the change in design.

A squint little sketch of the Erechtheion - 2008

The architectural features of the building are really quite unique, in beauty and creativity Phidias out-did himself. The decoration programme included gilded ornamental work, inset glass beads and bronze work. The design incorporated multiple levels, sections and marbles. 
The frieze (not visible) which was made of dark Eleusinian limestone and the temple was constructed from Pantelic marble. The frieze's subject matter is unknown, but an inscription recorded payments to the tradesmen who carried out the work.

South-facing side of the Erechtheion, the Caryatid porch - 2008

The female figures which line the porch are called Caryatids. Though made most famous by their presence on the Erechtheion, Caryatids had been an architectural feature in other sacred sites in Greece; during the Archaic period there were possibly other buildings with standing female columns, most notably in Delphi.

Newly restored Caryatid statues, New Acropolis Museum - 2016

These Ionic columns carved to look like young women is pretty spectacular by anyone's standards. The original Caryatids have been moved and restored, using state of the art technology, in the New Acropolis Museum. For quite some time they had been under restoration, but you could view the work being carried out. While visiting in 2016, I was able to walk right up to them (which you cannot do with the replicas), and they were stunning. 

As the Caryatids face across from the frieze along the Parthenon, there is an argument which posits that they are priestesses like the ones depicted on the frieze - the Arrhephoroi who wove the new robes for Athena's statue. 

This cultic complex is an interesting oddity. It drew together many aspects that Athenians could use to define themselves; their foundation myths involved gods and local heroes, and all were represented within the Erechtheion. It was created in the period which followed a historic clash of cultures between the Persians and Greeks, and throughout the period of its creation the growing city-state of Athens developed into the imperial power it would be lauded as for the next two thousand years.