Acropolis

=The Acropolis =



The Acropolis is the most popular attraction in Athens, Greece and its name literally means the high point of the city.


 * The Parthenon**


 * Is widely recognized as a dedication to Athena the goddess of wisdom and war
 * The Parthenon was designed by the architects Iktinos and Kallikrates nearly 2457 years ago.
 * The temple was the first to be built with Pentelic marble
 * A man named Perikles initiated the construction of the monument and Pheidias over saw the structures creation.
 * The temple was built to house the monumental statue of Athena which was created out of gold and ivory by Pheidias
 * It cost the Athenian treasury 469 silver talents to build the Parthenon a feat that would be impossible to repeat for the same amount of money.
 * The Parthenon was of the Doric order and the cella was unusually large to accomodate the statue of Athena
 * The Parthenon is supported by 81 columns of the Doric order.
 * The back room was reserved for Athena's tresure and was supported by four columns from teh ionic order.
 * The Parthenon was the embodiment of Classical Architecture and has influenced architecture ever since it was built.
 * The Parthenon's peristyle columns are over ten meters tall

= Propylaia = = = = = = · The Propylaia was built as an entrance to Acropolis = = · Mnesikles was the architect of the Propylaia = = · The construction for the Propylaia was started in 437 BCE but was put on hold five years later for the Peloponnesian war. At this point the Propylaia was nearly done except for the few finishing touches. = = · Bosses in the Northeast wall are the most notable parts that remained unfinished because of the war. = = · Though some believed the construction of the Propylaia stopped because of the lack of resources in the war, twelve years later when the war was still raging Athenians managed to procure a great amount of funds for the Erechtheion. = = · The roof of the Propylaia’s central wing is supported by a few Ionic columns and it was designed to make a lasting impression on the visitor. = = · 12 Doric columns greet the visitor at the entrance, 6 large and 6 small. =

Erechtheion

= Pandrosion = The Pandrosion is a small temple that was dedicated to the daughter of Kekrops (First Athenian King), Pandrosus. Built inside the west court of the Erechtheion, the courtyard once held the sacred olive tree.
 * Though the Erechtheion doesn't hold a candle to the Parthenon its purpose was to accomodate religious rituals and to replace the Old temple.
 * Its construction began in 420 BCE and was finished in 406 BCE
 * It was the Athenians misfortune that just 3 short years later Athens fell to Sparta
 * The Erechtheon was a very inticately built temple, tailored to fit the uneven ground site. It also had to avoid disturbing sacred shrines.
 * The Erechtheon faces east and its entrance is lined with 6 Ionic columns
 * The temple includes two prostasis, one at the northwest corner which is supported by more Ionic columns and the other at the south-west corner which is instead held up by six female statues, otherwise known as the Caryatids.
 * The Caryatids are possibly the most recognized part of the Erechtheion however their identities have been lost through the centries, it is their replicas task now, to hold the roof up with their heads.
 * A continuous Frieze was integrated around the exterior of the temple, along with now faded frescoes.
 * Since the Erechtheion was remodeled multiple times it can only be guessed at what its original interior consisted of

= Temple of Athena Nike =


 * The Temple of Athena Nike which means fearless victory was built on a rampart that is protecting the main entrance to Acropolis.
 * It was built in 420 B.C.E
 * Its architect was Kallikrates
 * Built in the Ionic order
 * Its amphiprostyle with four columns on each side
 * On the upper section of the walls the relief frieze shows the confeence of the gods on one side and on the three others, scenes of the battle that ensued.
 * The Bastion on which the temple was built on is protected by a marble parapet depicting a representation of Nikae (victories)
 * Was a place of worship for deities associated with wars

= = = Acropolis: The Old Temple = = Arrephorion = Arrephores were housed in the Arrephorion, a small building next to the north wall. Peplos’s were used during the Panathenaic Procession, they were weaved by the young girls other wise known as Arrephores. = Chalkotheke = = = The Purpose of the Chalkotheke was to hold the treasury of Athens. = = = Brauroneion = The Brauroneion was built near 430 BCE and was dedicated to the goddess Artemis Brauronia. After one enters throught the Propylaia the Brauroneion is immediatly to the right and next to the Chalkotheke. = = = The Sanctuary of Zeus Polieus = The Sanctuary of Zeus Polieus was an open air santuary built around 500 BCE. The Sanctuary had several entrances and a pediment over its main entrance.In the east wing it is believed the oxen for the annual ritual Bouphonia was held. The ritual was performed in the santuary and it involved the sacrifice of the oxen. The Santuary lies east of the Erechtheion however its foundation has not been found and its locations is only assumed because of the rock cuttings on the site. = = = Pandion Sanctuary = The Pandion Santuary was built around 450 BCE and it is believed to have held the Pandion festival. Its foundation was only found during excavations for the construction of the Acropolis Museum. =Greek Architecture Works Cited=
 * The old temples foundation is all that remains and is dated back to the 6th century BCE
 * In the Old temple adorned with the famed peplos the diipetes xoano was housed, that is until the Erechtheion was built
 * Here is where the cult of Athena worshipped
 * Originally the temple was dedicated to Erechtheus however Poseidon later replaced him.