Athina in Kentrikos Tomeas Athinon, Attica, Greece — Ελλάδα (Southeastern Europe, Balkan Peninsula)
The "Old Temple" of Athena
Photographed By Dale K. Benington, June 22, 2015
1. The "Old Temple" of Athena Marker
Inscription.
The "Old Temple" of Athena. . The large Archaic temple to the south of the Erechtheion, which today preserves only its foundations, was called the "Old Temple" according to epigraphic evidence. Dedicated to Athena Polias, the patron deity of the city, it housed the xoanon, the wooden cult statue of the goddess to which the Athenians offered a peplos during the Panathenaic festival. The western section of the temple, consisting of three smaller parts, housed the cults of other divinities, possibly Hephaistus, Poseidon-Erechtheus and the hero Boutes., Built at the site once occupied by the palace of the Mycenaean ruler of Attica, the temple replaced a smaller Geometric one (8th century B.C.) also dedicated to Athena Polias. The only remains of this early temple are two stone column bases as well as a bronze disc with an image of Gorgo, which adorned the pediment or the tip of the roof in the 7th century B.C., The "Old Temple" of Athena, a Doric peripteral building with 6 columns at the front and rear end and 12 at the sides, measured 43.44 x 21.43 meters. It was built of poros, while Parian marble was used for some upper parts, such as the metopes, pedimental sculptures and tiles. One pediment was adorned with a sculpted group illustrating the Gigantomachy (the battle between the Olympian gods and the rebellious Giants), while the other featured a partially preserved group of lions devouring a bull. The altar, which is no longer preserved, was located to the east of the temple, as is indicated by some cuttings on the rock., The temple was built in 525-500 B.C. and is associated with the sons of the tyrant Peisistratos or the Athenian people at the time of the establishment of Democracy by Kleisthenes. It was destroyed in 480 B.C., during the Persian invasion. Many of its architectural members were later incorporated in the north wall of the Acropolis.
The large Archaic temple to the south of the Erechtheion, which today preserves only its foundations, was called the "Old Temple" according to epigraphic evidence. Dedicated to Athena Polias, the patron deity of the city, it housed the xoanon, the wooden cult statue of the goddess to which the Athenians offered a peplos during the Panathenaic festival. The western section of the temple, consisting of three smaller parts, housed the cults of other divinities, possibly Hephaistus, Poseidon-Erechtheus and the hero Boutes.
Built at the site once occupied by the palace of the Mycenaean ruler of Attica, the temple replaced a smaller Geometric one (8th century B.C.) also dedicated to Athena Polias. The only remains of this early temple are two stone column bases as well as a bronze disc with an image of Gorgo, which adorned the pediment or the tip of the roof in the 7th century B.C.
The "Old Temple" of Athena, a Doric peripteral building with 6 columns at the front and rear end and 12 at the sides, measured 43.44 x 21.43 meters. It was built of poros, while Parian marble was used for some upper parts, such as the metopes, pedimental sculptures and tiles. One pediment was adorned with a sculpted group illustrating the Gigantomachy (the battle between the Olympian gods and the rebellious Giants), while the other
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featured a partially preserved group of lions devouring a bull. The altar, which is no longer preserved, was located to the east of the temple, as is indicated by some cuttings on the rock.
The temple was built in 525-500 B.C. and is associated with the sons of the tyrant Peisistratos or the Athenian people at the time of the establishment of Democracy by Kleisthenes. It was destroyed in 480 B.C., during the Persian invasion. Many of its architectural members were later incorporated in the north wall of the Acropolis.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Places.
Location. 37° 58.306′ N, 23° 43.587′ E. Marker is in Athina, Attica, in Kentrikos Tomeas Athinon. Marker can be reached from Anafiotika north of Dionysiou Areopagitou Street, on the right when traveling north. This marker is part of the archaeological park that is located at the
Acropolis of Athens, and is situated vey near the Parthenon. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Anafiotika 11, Athina, Attica 105 58, Greece. Touch for directions.
Close-up view, that is displayed on the marker, of a photo, showing the architectural members of the temple, incorporated in the north wall of the Acropolis.
Photographed By Dale K. Benington, June 22, 2015
4. The "Old Temple" of Athena Marker
Close-up view, that is displayed on the marker, of an illustration, showing the restoration of the upper part of the "Old Temple."
Photographed By Dale K. Benington, June 22, 2015
5. The "Old Temple" of Athena Marker
Close-up view, that is displayed on the marker, of a photo showing the Gigantomachy pediment that is displayed in the Acropolis Museum.
Photographed By Dale K. Benington, June 22, 2015
6. The "Old Temple" of Athena Marker
Close-up view, that is displayed on the marker, of an Orthophotomosaic, showing where the Acropolis visitor is in relation to the ruins of the archaeological park, while standing in front of the marker.
Photographed By Dale K. Benington, June 22, 2015
7. The "Old Temple" of Athena Marker
View of the marker looking east along the processional way of the Acropolis (the Parthenon is on the other side of the processional way from the marker).
Photographed By Dale K. Benington, June 22, 2015
8. The "Old Temple" of Athena Marker
View of the marker looking east along the processional way of the Acropolis, with a view of the Erechtheion to the left of the marker.
Photographed By Dale K. Benington, June 22, 2015
9. The "Old Temple" of Athena Marker
View of the marker, looking north in the direction of the site of the "Old Temple" and towards the Erechtheion.
Credits. This page was last revised on March 21, 2022. It was originally submitted on July 10, 2015, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio. This page has been viewed 765 times since then and 29 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. submitted on July 10, 2015, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio.