5.1 The Athenian Acropolis and its monuments

The Athenian Acropolis, a hilltop sanctuary, was the heart of ancient Athens. Its monuments, like the Parthenon and Erechtheion, showcased the city's religious devotion, artistic mastery, and political power during the Classical period.

These structures weren't just architectural marvels. They were symbols of Athenian identity and superiority. The Acropolis's rebuilding after the Persian Wars demonstrated Athens' resilience and dominance in the Greek world.

Athenian Acropolis Monuments and Functions

The Parthenon and Other Temples

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• The Parthenon, dedicated to Athena Parthenos, served as the city's main temple and treasury
  • Housed a colossal gold and ivory statue of Athena Parthenos (created by Phidias)
  • Stored treasures and offerings to the goddess
• The Erechtheion, a complex temple dedicated to Athena Polias, Poseidon, and the legendary king Erechtheus, housed the sacred olive wood statue of Athena
  • Accommodated the tomb of the mythical king Cecrops
  • Housed the sacred olive tree and the salt water well associated with Athena and Poseidon's contest for patronage of the city
• The Temple of Athena Nike, a small Ionic temple, celebrated Athena's role as the goddess of victory
  • Located on a bastion near the Propylaea entrance
  • Commemorated Athenian military victories and honored Athena as a protector of the city

Other Significant Structures and Monuments

• The Propylaea, the monumental gateway to the Acropolis, controlled access to the sacred precinct and displayed architectural grandeur
  • Designed by the architect Mnesikles in the 5th century BCE
  • Served as a symbolic and physical boundary between the secular and sacred spaces
• The Statue of Athena Promachos, a colossal bronze sculpture of Athena, stood as a symbol of Athens' power and military prowess
  • Created by the sculptor Phidias in the 5th century BCE
  • Visible from afar, serving as a landmark and a reminder of Athena's protection over the city
• The Pandroseion, a sanctuary dedicated to Pandrosus, one of the daughters of Cecrops, the first king of Athens
  • Associated with the cult of Athena and the sacred olive tree
• The Arrephorion, a building that housed the arrephoroi, young girls who participated in the cult of Athena
  • The arrephoroi were involved in secret rituals and the weaving of the sacred peplos for the Panathenaic festival

Architecture and Art of the Acropolis

Architectural Features and Innovations

• The Propylaea, designed by Mnesikles, features a central building with two projecting wings, combining Doric and Ionic architectural orders
  • The central building has a Doric hexastyle façade (six columns) on both the east and west sides
  • The wings feature Ionic columns and elaborate entablatures
• The Propylaea's central passageway was designed to accommodate the procession during the Panathenaic festival
  • The central passageway is wider than the side passages to allow for the passage of chariots and animals
  • The ceiling of the central passageway features elaborate coffering and decoration
• The Erechtheion's complex design accommodates the uneven terrain and incorporates multiple levels and porches
  • The temple is built on two levels to adapt to the slope of the Acropolis
  • The eastern and northern porches are set at different heights, creating a unique architectural composition
• The Temple of Athena Nike, designed by Kallikrates, is an amphiprostyle Ionic temple with a sculptural frieze depicting battles between Greeks and Persians
  • The temple has four Ionic columns on both the east and west façades (amphiprostyle)
  • The frieze, carved in high relief, wraps around the temple and depicts scenes from the Persian Wars

Sculptural Decorations and Iconography

• The Erechtheion's south porch features the famous Caryatids, six sculpted female figures serving as columns
  • The Caryatids are dressed in long robes and bear the weight of the porch's entablature on their heads
  • The figures are thought to represent the maidens of Karyai, a town in Laconia known for its cult of Artemis
• The north porch of the Erechtheion, known as the Porch of the Maidens, displays a unique combination of Ionic columns and a carved frieze
  • The frieze depicts scenes related to the mythical kings of Athens and the cult of Athena
• The Temple of Athena Nike's parapet featured relief sculptures of Athena and personified Nikai (Victories)
  • The parapet sculptures depict Athena and winged Nikai in various poses, celebrating Athenian military successes
  • The sculptures are notable for their dynamic compositions and flowing drapery, exemplifying the High Classical style

Religious, Political, and Cultural Significance of the Acropolis

Religious Importance and Festivals

• The Acropolis served as the religious center of Athens, with temples and sanctuaries dedicated to the city's patron goddess, Athena, and other deities
  • The Parthenon, dedicated to Athena Parthenos, was the main temple on the Acropolis
  • The Erechtheion housed shrines to Athena Polias, Poseidon, and other mythical figures associated with the city's early history
• The Panathenaic festival, held every four years, involved a procession to the Acropolis and the presentation of a new peplos (robe) to the statue of Athena Polias
  • The festival celebrated Athena's birthday and the city's foundation myth
  • The procession included Athenian citizens, metics (resident foreigners), and representatives from allied states, showcasing Athens' power and influence

Political and Cultural Symbolism

• The rebuilding of the Acropolis under Pericles in the 5th century BCE was a political statement of Athens' power and resilience following the Persian Wars
  • The Periclean building program, which included the Parthenon, the Propylaea, and other monuments, was funded by the Delian League treasury
  • The Acropolis's reconstruction symbolized Athens' leadership of the Greek world and its cultural supremacy
• The Parthenon, the largest and most iconic building on the Acropolis, symbolized Athens' wealth, power, and cultural achievements
  • The temple's size, elaborate sculptural decorations, and innovative architectural features showcased Athenian artistic and technological prowess
  • The Parthenon served as a symbol of Athenian democracy and the city's political ideals
• The Acropolis served as a treasury, housing the wealth of the Delian League, which Athens controlled
  • The Parthenon's treasury room stored tribute from allied states and sacred objects
  • The concentration of wealth on the Acropolis demonstrated Athens' economic and political dominance in the Aegean region

Enduring Legacy and Influence

• The Acropolis's monuments, particularly the Parthenon, have become enduring symbols of ancient Greek civilization and have influenced Western art and architecture
  • The Parthenon's architectural proportions, based on the Golden Ratio, have been studied and emulated by architects throughout history
  • The sculptural decorations of the Acropolis, such as the Parthenon frieze and the Caryatids, have inspired countless artists and have become iconic images of Classical art
• The Acropolis has served as a source of national pride and cultural identity for modern Greece
  • The Acropolis monuments have been the subject of ongoing preservation and restoration efforts
  • The Parthenon Marbles, removed by Lord Elgin in the early 19th century and currently housed in the British Museum, remain a contentious issue between Greece and the United Kingdom