The Erechtheion
The Peloponnesian War erupted as soon as the Parthenon and the Propylaia
were completed. Not long after this, Perikles died in the epidemic which
had raged in Athens. Yet the Athenians did not abandon his plans. With
the temporary cessation of hostilities brought about by the peace of
Nikias in 421 B.C., work began on the temple of Athena Polias,
subsequently known as the Erechtheion. The architect who designed
the building is unknown, but one finds it difficult not to recall Mnesikles
when gazing upon this remarkably graceful lonic structure, unique in
Greek architecture for its originality of conception and its functional
adaptation to accommodate the needs of so many cults. Who but
Mnesikles could have given such a daring and original solution to the
most difficult problems of an irregular terrain and especially the multiple
religious needs of the numerous cults.
For the structure would primarily provide for the worship of Athena Polias and at the same time
that of Poseidon. Moreover, the sanctuary would hold the graves of
Erechtheus with the sacred snake, and of Kekrops, the ancestors of the
Athenians, as well as the signs from Poseidon's trident which produced
water, the "Erechtheis Sea," a well that contained salt water, and the
marks from the thunderbolt of Zeus. The altars of Zeus Hypatos, of
Peseidon and Erechtheus, of Hephaistos, of the hero Boutes, of the
Thyechoos, and the very ancient xoanon of Hermes, all had to be
accommodated harmoniously. Lastly room would have to be found for
the sacred olive and the sanctuary of Pandrosos which included the
altar of Zeus Herkeios. The architect succeeded by subtle and ingenious
use of the differences in level to produce an astonishing temple which
satisfied the requirements of all these cults. He respected the traditions
and at the same time introduced striking innovations.
The resulting building may appear complicated at first sight, but it
bears the mark of true genius and contains more original feature than
any other structure in the Greek world. It consists of three almost
independent sections (the main temple, the north extension and the porch
of the Karyatides) with three separate roofs, and is built at four different
levels.
Ionic columns of three different dimensions and proportions are
used, and, following an old Ionian custom, use is also made of Korai as
supports for the entablature - the famous Karyatides. The
temple is divided into two main parts, the east devoted to Athena Polias
and the west to Poseidon-Erechtheus. The Erechtheion is the finest
expression of the Ionic order, yet the building loses none of the compact
austerity of classical Attic architecture. The frieze was of Eleusinian
stone of a deep grey colour, and relief figures were attached to it and
secured by means of metal connecting pins set in the slabs. Finally,
there was a famous gold lamp inside it, made by Kallimakhos, the artist
who is traditionally credited with the invention of the Corinthian capital.
1995 Andreas B. Syrigos.
E-mail address : asyrigos@theseas.ntua.gr
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