The Erechtheion or Erechtheum is an ancient Greek temple on Acropolis of Athens in Greece, which was dedicated to both Athena and Poseidon.
The Erechtheion or Erechtheum is an ancient Greek temple on the north side of the Acropolis of Athens in Greece which was dedicated to both Athena and Poseidon. The temple as seen today was built between 421 and 406 BCE. Its architect may have been Mnesicles. The sculptor and mason of the structure was Phidias, who was employed by Pericles to build both the Erechtheum and the Parthenon. Some have suggested that it may have been built in honor of the legendary king Erechtheus, who is said to have been buried nearby. Erechtheus was mentioned in Homer's Iliad as a great king and ruler of Athens during the Archaic Period. It is believed to have been a replacement for the Peisistratid temple of Athena Polias destroyed by the Persians in 480 BC. On the north side, there is another large porch with six Ionic columns, and on the south, the famous "Porch of the Maidens", with six draped female figures (caryatids) as supporting columns. The porch was built to conceal the giant 15-ft beam needed to support the southwest corner over the Kekropion. (AAA_0648)
Size: 7032px × 4541px
Location: Zeus' Triangle, Athina 105 58, ????da
Photo credit: © Apostolos Giontzis / Alamy / Afripics
License: Royalty Free
Model Released: No
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