lesson 3- The erectheion Flashcards
what was the significance of where the Erectheion was placed?
marked the most sacred spot on the acropolis- it was here that Athena and poseidon allegedly competed for patronage of the city, the scene depicted on the west pediment of the parthenon.
who was the Erectheion dedicated to?
Athena polias (protector of the city), Poseidon, kekrops (the first mythical king of Attica) and erechtheus (a mythical hero)
who was kekrops?
the mythical king of Attica, who was supposedly half man and half snake and was the founder of Athens and the first to offer sacrifices to Athena after her birth from the head of zeus and he established her ancient shrine on the acropolis. he was also the judge to proclaim Athena the patron god of Athens
who was Erectheus?
The only semi-offspring of Athena- he was born from the earth (gaia) after Athena was chased by Hephaestus all the way to Athens in an attempt to rape her- she brushed the semen off her thigh from Hephaestus which landed off the earth and caused him to be born
what is found next to the Erectheion?
a sacred olive tree, said to be the original gift Athena offered Athens as a gift in her fight for patronage
what does the asymetrical shape of the temple accomodate?
the uneven terrain on this part of the Acropolis
what did the Erectheion feature?
an olive statue of Athena Polias (Athena, protector of the city)- The physical embodiment of Athena’s divine patronage over the city
who’s grave is also found in the erectheion?
the grave of king kekrops
what stood on the south porch of the erechtheion?
six caryatids, statues of females that acted as columns
what two ancient festivals was the erectheion used in?
The plynteria and panathenaia
how was the erectheion used in the panathenaia?
the erechtheion was the destination of the procession as the peplos was presented to the olive statue of Athena polias.
between what years was the Erechtheion constructed?
Constructed between 421-406 BC
what was the most notable decoration on the Erechtheion?
On the south porch,which was facing the parthenon, stood six caryatids, statues of females that acted as columns. (they can also be known as ‘kore’ meaning maidens)
what was the Erechtheion believed to be the house of?
-The erechtheion was believed to be the home of a serpent, a representation of kekrops himself.
what was the history of the Erectheion?
-during the persian wars, before the building of the Erechtheion was built, the attack on Athens was imminent and the Athenians were evacuating the city- according to Herodotus, the great snake, a guardian of the city, had not eaten the monthly honey-cake offering made to it. The priestess interpreted this as a sign to evacuate the city as the goddess had already abandoned the acropolis.
