The Classical Acropolis of Athens (479-323 BC)
A new grandiose building programme began on the Acropolis during the Classical times. The south side was filled with the ruins of destroyed temples, broken statues, inscriptions and tons of earth in order to flatten the surface. The new Parthenon became the symbol of Athenian power. A new wall was constructed and the entrance was radically redesigned with the new Propylaea. The ruins of the ancient temple of Athena (Archaeos Neos) that had been preserved as a reminder of the Persian wars, were demolished. According to the testimony of Xenophon, they were burned in 405 BC. The Erechtheion took their place. At the same time, various other auxiliary buildings and sanctuaries were built. However, the works on the Acropolis remained unfinished (mainly the Propylaea) with the outbreak of the Peloponnesian War.
General view of the Acropolis in classical times. Bottom right, the Propylaea, the stoa of Artemis Brauronia in "Γ" shape, the Chalkotheke, the Parthenon and the Erechtheion.
The Parthenon (447-438 BC)
The Parthenon was a temple dedicated to Goddess Athena Parthenos (Virgin). The construction begun in 447 BC after the order of Pericles. The architects were Iktinus and Kallikrates. The chief supervisor of the project and especially of the sculptures and the decoration, was the sculptor and Pericles’ friend, Pheidias. The Parthenon is a unique Doric building that successfully incorporates the Ionic order. It is known that in the west room (opisthodomos) was kept all the wealth of the Delian League. Furthermore, the gold and ivory statue of Athena that stood inside the main temple, was covered with the gold of Athens’ allies. This proves that the Parthenon also functioned as the treasury of the Delian League, containing wealth which Athens had misappropriated from the allies.
General view of the Parthenon from the northeast.
The Parthenon from the northwest. The pediment statues depict the dispute between Athena and Poseidon
View of the Pronaos while exiting the cella
The eastern façade of the Parthenon. The pediment statues depict the birth of the goddess Athena and the metopes depict the Battle of the Giants (Gigantomachy).
The Propylaea (437-432 BC)
The construction of Propylaea was assigned to the architect Mnesicles in 437 BC. The original design (symmetry between the north and south side) was never completed due to the Peloponnesian War. The central building of the Propylaea is composed by two parts. The eastern one is a little higher. It is notable that besides the clear Doric impression, six Ionic columns exist in the interior. In front of the south wing is the small Ionic temple of Athena Nike (427/6-424/3 BC). The north wing was occupied by a square building, the Pinakotheke, where according to Pausanias many paintings were on display (including works of the most famous Polygnotos) which today are, unfortunately, lost.
View from the west. On the right is the temple of Athena Nike. The Pinakotheke is on the left.
South-east view of the Propylaea with the temple of Athena Nike. On the right is the stoa and temple of Artemis Brauronia.
View of the temple of Athena Nike. (424/3 BC).
The interior of the Propylaea central building with the six Ionic columns.
East view of the Propylaea central building. On the left is the sanctuary of Artemis Brauronia.
The Erechtheion (421-406 BC)
The Erechtheion was the most sacred place in Athens. In there were worshiped the gods Athena, Poseidon, Hephaestus, and the mythical heroes and kings: Kekrops, Boutis and Erechteus. The whole history of the city could be found in this very place. Traces of the quarrel between Athena and Poseidon in order to become protectors of the city were here. Athena offered the olive tree and Poseidon used his trident to crack the rock from where salty water came out. The “marks” of his trident are still visible. Under the north wing of the building is the hole where the sacred snake of Erichthonius lived. The ancient (even for the time) wooden statue of Athena was kept in one of the rooms. According to the myth and to show its age, the Athenians used to say that it fell from the sky.
The spot where Erechtheion was built was not chosen by chance. It was there that, nearly a thousand years before, the Mycenaean palace with all of its sanctuaries stood. The main characteristic of Erechtheion is the south wing with the woman-shaped columns, the Caryatides. In this place was believed to be the tomb of Kekrops. West of the building was a small stoa dedicated to the nymph Pandrosos, daughter of Kekrops, the Pandroseion.
View from the northwest with the north porch. On the right, behind the wall, is the the Pandroseion.
An east view of the Erechtheion. In the early 19th century, the rightmost column, as well as one of the Caryatides, were taken by Lord Elgin and today can be found in the British Museum. Today copies are in their place.
The west side. In the middle is the sacred olive tree of Athena while on the right are the Caryatides.
Other buildings
Also some other buildings, sanctuaries and altars were on the Acropolis. The most important were: The stoa of Brauronia Artemis, the Chalkotheke, the sanctuary of Zeus Polieus, the sanctuary of Pandion and the Arrephorion.
The Arrephorion was a square building in the northwest side of the Acropolis. It was the residence of the two “Arrephorai“, girls of 7-11 years which were chosen each year to sew the peplos of Athena. During the Panathenaia feast, this peplos was used to dress the wooden statue of the goddess. The girls also carried the Sacred Relics during the feast of Arrephoria (άρρητα-φέρειν). It had four sides measuring 12,5m each. The south facade, where the entrance was, was decorated by two -or four- doric columns. In the west, there was a courtyard where the girls used to play which was named “Σφαιρίστρα των Αρρηφόρων“. The small rock-carved staircase in the courtyard which connected the Acropolis with the city beyond, was very important during the Arrephoria. There was performed the “Descending of the Arrephoroi” ritual.
The Stoa of Artemis Brauronia. A sanctuary to the goddess, protector of the women who gave birth. It was "Γ" shaped and inside were kept the numerous offerings. In front there was probably a temple dedicated to the goddess.
The Chalkotheke (=the Bronze Gallery) was the place where the hundreds of the bronze offerings to goddess Athena were kept. These offerings consisted mostly of bronze statues, weapons and metal relics.
The sanctuary of Zeus Polieus (=protector of the city). In there, during the feast of Diipoleia many sacrifices of oxen were taking place.
The Arrephorion with its courtyard from the southwest. In the courtyard was the small staircase that led down to the city.
The sanctuary of Pandion. Dedicated to the mythical hero and king Pandion, son of Kekrops or Erichthonius. The Pandionis tribe (one of the 10 tribes of Athens) were practicing their sacrifices in this spot. This is where the old museum of Acropolis is nowadays situated.
