Erechtheion

The Erechtheum is a temple in the Ionic architecture at the Acropolis in Athens, built about 420-406 BC. The concept probably goes back to Pericles, who had already died but to start of construction. As a builder of the temple architects ( Phi ) lokles of Acharnai and Archilochus of Agryle, was completed under the supervision of the temple in 406 BC to apply.

The Erechtheion stands where originally the palace of the mythical King Erichthonius ( Erechtheus I. ) should have been. The temple summarized several ancient cults for a total of 13 deities and heroes in a complex architectural shape. So it contained the wooden, allegedly fallen from the sky cult image of the city goddess Athena, newly decorated every year on the feast of the Panathenaic procession. Furthermore, the construction included the chasm, to have lived in one of Athena sacred serpent, the sacred olive tree of the goddess, the source of salt that made Poseidon arise in a contest with Athena, and the grave of the mythical king Cecrops I.

The Erechtheion is known mainly by a porch supported by columns instead of six larger than life girl figures ( korai ). They were also called Caryatids (named after the city, according to Vitruvius Karya in the Peloponnese ); it is not backed up, whom they represent. The Caryatids belong stylistically to the rich style.

Throughout its history, the building was used for various purposes and often damaged the original form. In the 7th century it was converted into a Byzantine Christian church. In 1463, it served as a harem of an officer of the Turkish army. One of the six Koren was brought in 1811 by Lord Elgin to the UK and is now in the British Museum. The remaining five were replaced by replicas of the late 20th century, to prevent further damage caused by weathering. The originals are exhibited in the Acropolis Museum.