The Acropolis hill, so called the "Sacred Rock" of Athens,
is the most important site of the city. During Perikles' Golden
Age, ancient Greek civilization was represented in an ideal way
on the hill and some of the architectural masterpieces of the period
were erected on its ground.
During the Classical period (450-330 B.C.) three important temples
were erected on the ruins of earlier ones: the Parthenon, the Erechtheion,
and the Temple of Nike, dedicated to Athena Parthenos, Athena Polias,
and Athena-Apteros Nike, respectively. The Propylaea, the monumental
entrance to the sacred area was also constructed in the same period.
The most important monuments on the Acropolis are:
The Parthenon.
It is the most important and characteristic monument of the ancient
Greek civilization and still remains its international symbol. It
was dedicated to Athena Parthenos, the patron goddess of Athens.
It was built between 447 and 438 B.C. and its sculptural decoration
was completed in 432 B.C. The construction of the monument was initiated
by Perikles, the supervisor of the whole work was Pheidias, the
famous Athenian sculptor, while Iktinos and Kallikrates were the
architects of the building. The temple is built in the Doric order
and almost exclusively of Pentelic marble
The Erechtheion
The Erechtheion was built in ca. 420 B.C. in the Ionic order. It
has a prostasis on the east side, a monumental propylon on the north,
and the famous porch of the Caryatids on the south. The main temple
was divided into two sections, dedicated to the worship of the two
principal gods of Attica, Athena and Poseidon-Erechtheus.
Temple of Athena
The Temple of Athena Nike was constructed in ca. 420 B.C. by the
architect Kallikrates. It is built in the Ionic order, and it is
amphiprostyle with a row of four columns in front of each of its
narrow sides. The relief frieze on the upper section of the walls
depicts the conference of gods on the east side, and scenes from
battles on the other three.
The Propylaea
The monumental gateway of the Acropolis was designed by the architect
Mnesikles and constructed in 437-432 B.C. It comprises a central
building and two lateral wings. The colonnades along the west and
east sides had a row of Doric columns while two rows of Ionic columns
divided the central corridor into three parts. The walls of the
north wing were decorated with painted panels or wall paintings
and that is why it was called the "Pinakotheke". The ceiling
of the Propylaea had coffers with painted decoration and a perforated
sima around the roof.
Section of the Parthenon frieze
TIt is one of the most important museums in the world. It temporarily
houses masterpieces of the ancient Greek civilization, dedicated
to the most important of the Athenian sanctuaries, the "temenos"
of Athena Parthenos.
The museum contains only the stone sculptures from the monuments
of the Acropolis and from the excavations on the site.
The collections of the museum include:
• Sculptural offerings of the Archaic period
• Pediments of temples dated to the Archaic period
• Archaic Horsemen
• Sculptures of the "Severe" style
• Pediments and metopes from the Parthenon
• The Parthenon frieze
• The Erechtheion frieze
• Parapets of the Athena Nike temple
• Frieze of the Athena Nike temple
• The Caryatids
• Clay figurines and vases from the sanctuary of the Nymphs
The Moschophoros (calf-bearer).
Archaic statue of a bearded man carrying a calf on his shoulders.
The eyes of the figure were inset.
The Peplos Kore.
Statue of a young woman (kore) clad in a chiton and peplos, which
was originally ornamented with painted decoration. Traces of paint
are still visible on her eyes, lips and curly hair, which was held
by a metal diadem. Dated to 530 B.C.
Kore with almond-shaped eyes.
The young woman is clad in a chiton and short himation, which buttons
on the left shoulder. A band with a painted maeander ornamented
the diadem on her hair and garments. Dated to 500 B.C.
Pediment of the Ancient Temple.
Part of the east pediment of the Ancient Temple, bearing a representation
of Gigantomachy. Athena is depicted fighting against a Giant. Dated
to ca. 520 B.C., when Peisistratos' sons embellished the old temple
of Athena.
Section of the Parthenon frieze
Section of the Parthenon frieze coming from the east part of the
building. The relief representation depicts the gods Poseidon, Apollo,
Artemis, Aphrodite, and Eros. Inv. no. 856.
The Kritios boy.
Statue of a boy with inset eyes and long, weavy hair, rolled up
around his head. It is attributed to the sculptor Kritios and dates
to 480 B.C.
Relief of the "Mourning Athena".
The goddess is clad in an Attic peplos with a belt and slightly
bends her head towards the stele depicted in front of her. Dated
to ca. 460 B.C.
Metope from the Parthenon.
The relief comes from the south side of the building, where the
metopes represented Centauromachy. In this scene a Centaur is shown
seizing a Lapith woman.
The Caryatids.
Statues of young women clad in peplos. They supported the roof of
the south porch of the Erechtheion, and probably were the work of
Alkamenes, a student of the great sculptor Pheidias. Dated to ca.
420 B.C.
Relief parapet from the Nike Temple.
One of the parapets that flanked the three sides of the area around
the temple of Athena Nike. Young Nike is shown with her wings half-stretched,
bending to bind or unbind her sandal. Dated to ca. 410 B.C.
