Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The Original Statue: Athena Polias
The statue for which the temple was built - the Athena Polias (Athena of the City) - was
considered one of the wonders of the ancient world. It was taken to Constantinople in AD
426, where it disappeared. Designed by Pheidias and completed in 432 BC, it stood al-
most 12m high on its pedestal and was plated in gold. Athena's face, hands and feet were
made of ivory, and the eyes fashioned from jewels.
Erechtheion
The Erechtheion, completed around 406 BC, was a sanctuary built on the part of the Acro-
polis held most sacred: the spot where Poseidon struck the ground with his trident, and
where Athena produced the olive tree. Named after Erechtheus, a mythical king of
Athens, the temple housed the cults of Athena, Poseidon and Erechtheus. This supreme
example of Ionic architecture was ingeniously built on several levels to counteract the un-
even bedrock.
