The Erechtheion
Background:
The Erechtheion was originally named the temple of Athena Polias. The building was the home to an altar of Zues Hypatos, Poseidon, Butes, and Hephaistos. Construction on the marble temple began in 420 BCE and continued on until 406 BCE (Venieri, 2012). Beside its primary purpose as a temple, the Erechtheion was also used as a Christian basilica in 600 AD. During the conversion, all the interior walls were removed creating uncertainty about the original blueprint. The Erechtheion was also repurposed as a family home which involved some of the exterior columns being walled up (Camp, 2001).
The Erechtheion was originally named the temple of Athena Polias. The building was the home to an altar of Zues Hypatos, Poseidon, Butes, and Hephaistos. Construction on the marble temple began in 420 BCE and continued on until 406 BCE (Venieri, 2012). Beside its primary purpose as a temple, the Erechtheion was also used as a Christian basilica in 600 AD. During the conversion, all the interior walls were removed creating uncertainty about the original blueprint. The Erechtheion was also repurposed as a family home which involved some of the exterior columns being walled up (Camp, 2001).
The Erechtheion was built to be shared between Athena and Poseidon in honor of a past King of Athens- Erechtheus. Greek history is filled with legends and mythology, and the Erechtheion's construction is no exception. The legend goes like this:
"Poseidon at that time was trying to gain control of Athens, and challenged Athena to see who had the most to give to the people. Poseidon struck the ground with his trident and a salt water spring flowed from that very spot. Athena also struck the ground with her spear, and miraculously an olive tree sprang up, fully grown and bearing fruit. The olive tree proved to be far more useful than a salt-water spring, and Athena won the contest, but neither she or Poseidon were given the honor of having the temple, which had been built on the site of the contest, named after them. Instead, the temple was named 'The Erechtheion' (Lindermans, 1997)."
The hole in the roof of the porch to the right is used by believers to support this legend, but the legend is similar to other Greek mythology in the sense that it cannot be proven true or false. The caption under the picture to the right describes another similar legend. The tree in the header photograph is known as the sacred olive tree of Athena and was said to have began growing the morning after the Gods' dispute.
"Poseidon at that time was trying to gain control of Athens, and challenged Athena to see who had the most to give to the people. Poseidon struck the ground with his trident and a salt water spring flowed from that very spot. Athena also struck the ground with her spear, and miraculously an olive tree sprang up, fully grown and bearing fruit. The olive tree proved to be far more useful than a salt-water spring, and Athena won the contest, but neither she or Poseidon were given the honor of having the temple, which had been built on the site of the contest, named after them. Instead, the temple was named 'The Erechtheion' (Lindermans, 1997)."
The hole in the roof of the porch to the right is used by believers to support this legend, but the legend is similar to other Greek mythology in the sense that it cannot be proven true or false. The caption under the picture to the right describes another similar legend. The tree in the header photograph is known as the sacred olive tree of Athena and was said to have began growing the morning after the Gods' dispute.
Construction:
The Greek commissioners kept very detailed records from the construction period, so there is a plethora of technical information available. For example, the Erechtheion was built on the northern side of the Acropolis on a very steep slope that made construction difficult. The architect, Mnesikles, also had the difficulty of building around the preexisting structures on the Acropolis such as the Parthenon (Sakoulas, 2007).
The layout of the inside of the building may seem strange, but it satisfied the purposes of the committee that was put together to design it. Although the building was remodeled several times over its lifetime, architects believe that the Erechtheion was a multistory building with several rooms on each floor (Camp, 2001). It is easy to forget that workers built the Erechtheion using only rudimentary machinery and techniques available during that time.
The layout of the inside of the building may seem strange, but it satisfied the purposes of the committee that was put together to design it. Although the building was remodeled several times over its lifetime, architects believe that the Erechtheion was a multistory building with several rooms on each floor (Camp, 2001). It is easy to forget that workers built the Erechtheion using only rudimentary machinery and techniques available during that time.
The construction of this temple was a massive project that required works of all ages, social statuses, and skill levels. As with all major buildings, stone masons, carpenters, sculptors, painters, and unskilled laborers were all needed to complete the building. Records have preserved the names over over a hundred employees who worked on the temple. Employees could be of any social class from a slave to an Athenian citizen. All workers were paid the same salary of one drachma per day which is equivalent to less than a penny in US dollars (Camp, 2001).
The records also show that columns were constructed by a team of five men who took around three weeks to complete each column. The columns are much larger in both height and width than one may expect (Camp, 2001). A comparison can be drawn by observing the height of the citizens compared to the height of the columns in the reconstruction below. The columns are also carefully crafted with small details that will be discussed further in the design section. All the time and effort put into building the Erechtheion was jeopardized when it caught fire in 406 BCE. Contrary to popular belief, stone is able to burn and the fire may have even damaged the wooden ceiling and beams supporting the roof (Camp, 2001).
The records also show that columns were constructed by a team of five men who took around three weeks to complete each column. The columns are much larger in both height and width than one may expect (Camp, 2001). A comparison can be drawn by observing the height of the citizens compared to the height of the columns in the reconstruction below. The columns are also carefully crafted with small details that will be discussed further in the design section. All the time and effort put into building the Erechtheion was jeopardized when it caught fire in 406 BCE. Contrary to popular belief, stone is able to burn and the fire may have even damaged the wooden ceiling and beams supporting the roof (Camp, 2001).
Design:
The Erechtheion was built with in the ionic style that was typical for eastern Greece. The Ionic design was used to set the Erechtheion apart from the larger, Doric style used to construct the Parthenon (Camp, 2001). One of the main differences between the styles is the narrower columns used in the Ionic style as shown on the northwest side of the Erechtheion in the picture below. The Erechtheion also has many meticulous details throughout the building that the Parthenon does not such as the floral etchings at the head of each column. (Sakoulas, 2007). There are columns on each side of the building: six on the north and east, four on the west, and six special columns on the south side of the building.
The columns on the south wing, known as Caryatids, were carved into the shape of women. Caryatids date back to sixth century Delphi. They were carved with their outside legs straight to carry the load of the roof while the inside legs were relaxed as shown by the picture. Their clothing covers their legs completely to conceal the inner supporting structures at play (Sakoulas, 2007). Rather than showing off the Caryatids in the front of the building, they were built on the back wall. This pattern of shifting main design features to the sides rather than making them a focal point was a repeated pattern throughout the design process of the temple (Camp, 2001).
Skillfully crafted Caryatids are not the only works of art in the Erechtheion. The family of Butadai was represented inside the temple with a large painting that hung on one of the walls (Camp, 2001).
The temple was also home to two sculpted friezes. One of the friezes was located around the top of the Erechtheion while the other was located above the porch on the north side of the building. The friezes were made of white marble with a dark gray marble background. Unfortunately, the friezes broke into pieces over the centuries and many pieces have been lost to time making it impossible to know the subject of the frieze. Fragments of the frieze can be seen in the picture above on the right. Those pieces would have been found above the columns as shown by the middle of the three photos of columns above (Camp, 2001).
Researchers have also decided that the interior of the Erechtheion was covered in frescoes that were also lost to time. Many kore statues were also believed to have inhabited the Erechtheion such as the one to the left. The kore statues and Caryatids illustrate the importance of women in Greek society (Sakoulas, 2007).
The temple was also home to two sculpted friezes. One of the friezes was located around the top of the Erechtheion while the other was located above the porch on the north side of the building. The friezes were made of white marble with a dark gray marble background. Unfortunately, the friezes broke into pieces over the centuries and many pieces have been lost to time making it impossible to know the subject of the frieze. Fragments of the frieze can be seen in the picture above on the right. Those pieces would have been found above the columns as shown by the middle of the three photos of columns above (Camp, 2001).
Researchers have also decided that the interior of the Erechtheion was covered in frescoes that were also lost to time. Many kore statues were also believed to have inhabited the Erechtheion such as the one to the left. The kore statues and Caryatids illustrate the importance of women in Greek society (Sakoulas, 2007).
This video gives additional information about the Erechtheion's architecture and artwork.
Visiting Information:
Summer Hours: 8am-8pm
The Erechtheion, 2-4 Makrygianni St., Athens
210 9238175
Summer Hours: 8am-8pm
The Erechtheion, 2-4 Makrygianni St., Athens
210 9238175
Works Cited:
American School of Classical Studies- Alison Frantz Collection. Fragments of the frieze around the Erechtheion. [Image]. Retrieved from Camp, John M. (2001) The Archaeology of Athens. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Yale University Press. All rights reserved
Archaeological Society (including John Travlos Archive). Floor layout of the Erechtheion. [Image]. Retrieved from Camp, John M. (2001) The Archaeology of Athens. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Yale University Press. All rights reserved.
Benjamin. (2006). GR06 0429 Acropolis - Athens. [Digital Image]. Retrieved from https://www.flickr.com/photos/healinglight/461601946/in/faves-129888294@N05/. Used under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.
Camp, John M. (2001) The Archaeology of Athens. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Yale University Press.
Cartwright, M. (2014) The roof of the porch of the Erechtheion. [Digital Image]. Retrieved from
http://www.ancient.eu/image/3264/. Used under CC BY-NC-SA 3.0. (CC BY-NC-SA 3.0
Che, X. (2011). Acropolis Kore. [Digital Image]. Retrieved from https://www.flickr.com/photos/rosemania/5496478878/in/faves-129888294@N05/. Used under CC BY 2.0.
Connolly, P. A view of the Erechtheion from the northwest. [Image]. Retrieved from Camp, John M. (2001) The Archaeology of Athens. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Yale University Press. All rights reserved.
Dorena-wm. (2010). Karyatiden. [Digital Image]. Retrieved from https://www.flickr.com/photos/dorena-wm/5078180707/in/faves-129888294@N05/. Used under CC BY-ND 2.0
Harris B and Zucker S. The Erechtheion. [Video File]. Retrieved from https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/ancient-art-civilizations/greek-art/classical/v/erechtheion. Used under CC BY-NC-SA 3.0.
Header Photo: "Erechtheum1" by LevineDS - Own work. Licensed under Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons - http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Erechtheum1.JPG#/media/File:Erechtheum1.JPG
Holland C. (2005). _D2X0716. [Digital Image]. Retrieved from https://www.flickr.com/photos/christopherholland/95023745/in/faves-129888294@N05/. Used under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.
Ellenova. (2010). A detail of the Erechtheion porch. [Digital Image]. Retrieved from https://www.flickr.com/photos/ellennewton/4496689394/in/faves-129888294@N05/. Used under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.
LilyPad. (2015) Historvirus Mapping History. [Web] Retrieved from http://www.historvius.com/the-erechtheion-1131/.
Marko. (2007) Erechtheion. [Digital Image]. Retried from https://www.flickr.com/photos/_pixelmaniac_/2133061580/in/photolist-4fuuTN-diMECe-6A8aEW-6A4482-ozUpwp-MfxAB-9qsGGG-3kVnG-9qsGjQ-3kVsL-52xf6j-4WMvd8-53jQYf-6nBzYi-4wNDwc-imoaz5-imoyke-9EBxdR-9EEsfs-4zyUU6-jfRVdU-pWFm74-drgfyH-9qpEPF-n9kGrc-6A43Jv-MfxAc-a898m5-Bk9GR-4AG26p-4ALfuQ-4ALc5u-4AL957-a86g2e-7qNVTw-fzJvVm-mKVKr-qxhyH-mKTmr-6v1ypz-29Qtx5-a3GueJ-4WRN8m-4WRLoQ-4WMsQe-4WRJVC-xz8R8-6nFJZf-pa4FWQ-sr34d. Used under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.
Sakoulas, T. (2007) Erechtheion. Ancient-Greece.org. [Web] 4/1/2015. <http://ancient-greece.org/architecture/erechtheion.html>
Tronchin F. (2011). Erechtheion, detail of east facade. [Digital Image]. Retrieved from https://www.flickr.com/photos/frenchieb/5988011332/in/faves-129888294@N05/. Used under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.
Tronchin F. (2011). Erechtheion, detail of east facade. [Digital Image]. Retrieved from https://www.flickr.com/photos/frenchieb/5988011332/in/photolist-a8989G-fUt6Ae-hwtL7S-kGv81Z-qJ1XrP-pmddkj-p6LecX-nHYmiK-a1Tk2Y-7cYUAf-n9nKEb-pMbANY-qYP2DW-8mEBDg-hixTJz-8kHcEJ-fgRWBc-nrtKwf-ocFEVk-nPtcHo-podEJW-mtgqZR-pFh5Zw-eVAKW9-dswJbg-5pxamu-4YYC3i-5veY3U-a86gv2-8kE1fR-7CJEbK-57dZEu-nrqtK2-eVB4TS-eVB2YG-6HFQke-47siUn-5rUvAs-8ZwGAU-5vaD8r-a9Ubdh-6ztaLF-81Rb4V-a86iSn-grwdWr-punysw-qY3F86-r3a9a7-eVB5nS-8z3MXn. Used under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.
Venieri, I. (2012). Erechtheion. Odysseys. [Web]. 4/1/2015. <http://odysseus.culture.gr/h/2/eh251.jsp?obj_id=973>
Archaeological Society (including John Travlos Archive). Floor layout of the Erechtheion. [Image]. Retrieved from Camp, John M. (2001) The Archaeology of Athens. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Yale University Press. All rights reserved.
Benjamin. (2006). GR06 0429 Acropolis - Athens. [Digital Image]. Retrieved from https://www.flickr.com/photos/healinglight/461601946/in/faves-129888294@N05/. Used under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.
Camp, John M. (2001) The Archaeology of Athens. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Yale University Press.
Cartwright, M. (2014) The roof of the porch of the Erechtheion. [Digital Image]. Retrieved from
http://www.ancient.eu/image/3264/. Used under CC BY-NC-SA 3.0. (CC BY-NC-SA 3.0
Che, X. (2011). Acropolis Kore. [Digital Image]. Retrieved from https://www.flickr.com/photos/rosemania/5496478878/in/faves-129888294@N05/. Used under CC BY 2.0.
Connolly, P. A view of the Erechtheion from the northwest. [Image]. Retrieved from Camp, John M. (2001) The Archaeology of Athens. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Yale University Press. All rights reserved.
Dorena-wm. (2010). Karyatiden. [Digital Image]. Retrieved from https://www.flickr.com/photos/dorena-wm/5078180707/in/faves-129888294@N05/. Used under CC BY-ND 2.0
Harris B and Zucker S. The Erechtheion. [Video File]. Retrieved from https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/ancient-art-civilizations/greek-art/classical/v/erechtheion. Used under CC BY-NC-SA 3.0.
Header Photo: "Erechtheum1" by LevineDS - Own work. Licensed under Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons - http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Erechtheum1.JPG#/media/File:Erechtheum1.JPG
Holland C. (2005). _D2X0716. [Digital Image]. Retrieved from https://www.flickr.com/photos/christopherholland/95023745/in/faves-129888294@N05/. Used under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.
Ellenova. (2010). A detail of the Erechtheion porch. [Digital Image]. Retrieved from https://www.flickr.com/photos/ellennewton/4496689394/in/faves-129888294@N05/. Used under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.
LilyPad. (2015) Historvirus Mapping History. [Web] Retrieved from http://www.historvius.com/the-erechtheion-1131/.
Marko. (2007) Erechtheion. [Digital Image]. Retried from https://www.flickr.com/photos/_pixelmaniac_/2133061580/in/photolist-4fuuTN-diMECe-6A8aEW-6A4482-ozUpwp-MfxAB-9qsGGG-3kVnG-9qsGjQ-3kVsL-52xf6j-4WMvd8-53jQYf-6nBzYi-4wNDwc-imoaz5-imoyke-9EBxdR-9EEsfs-4zyUU6-jfRVdU-pWFm74-drgfyH-9qpEPF-n9kGrc-6A43Jv-MfxAc-a898m5-Bk9GR-4AG26p-4ALfuQ-4ALc5u-4AL957-a86g2e-7qNVTw-fzJvVm-mKVKr-qxhyH-mKTmr-6v1ypz-29Qtx5-a3GueJ-4WRN8m-4WRLoQ-4WMsQe-4WRJVC-xz8R8-6nFJZf-pa4FWQ-sr34d. Used under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.
Sakoulas, T. (2007) Erechtheion. Ancient-Greece.org. [Web] 4/1/2015. <http://ancient-greece.org/architecture/erechtheion.html>
Tronchin F. (2011). Erechtheion, detail of east facade. [Digital Image]. Retrieved from https://www.flickr.com/photos/frenchieb/5988011332/in/faves-129888294@N05/. Used under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.
Tronchin F. (2011). Erechtheion, detail of east facade. [Digital Image]. Retrieved from https://www.flickr.com/photos/frenchieb/5988011332/in/photolist-a8989G-fUt6Ae-hwtL7S-kGv81Z-qJ1XrP-pmddkj-p6LecX-nHYmiK-a1Tk2Y-7cYUAf-n9nKEb-pMbANY-qYP2DW-8mEBDg-hixTJz-8kHcEJ-fgRWBc-nrtKwf-ocFEVk-nPtcHo-podEJW-mtgqZR-pFh5Zw-eVAKW9-dswJbg-5pxamu-4YYC3i-5veY3U-a86gv2-8kE1fR-7CJEbK-57dZEu-nrqtK2-eVB4TS-eVB2YG-6HFQke-47siUn-5rUvAs-8ZwGAU-5vaD8r-a9Ubdh-6ztaLF-81Rb4V-a86iSn-grwdWr-punysw-qY3F86-r3a9a7-eVB5nS-8z3MXn. Used under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.
Venieri, I. (2012). Erechtheion. Odysseys. [Web]. 4/1/2015. <http://odysseus.culture.gr/h/2/eh251.jsp?obj_id=973>