Temples in Attica

Question 1

What was one of the key religious centers of Attica to the west of Athens?

Answer 1

Eleusis

The mystery cult of Demeter was celebrated here.

Question 2

Which three architects were involved in the development of the Sanctuary of Eleusis?

Answer 2

Cororebus, Metagenes, Xenocles

Mentioned by Plutarch in Pericles 13.

Question 3

What was required by the nature of the cult at Eleusis?

Answer 3

Sacrifices and rituals conducted indoors

Only initiates, numbering in the thousands, were involved.

Question 4

What historical event is connected to the Temple of Demeter at Eleusis?

Answer 4

Destruction during the Persian invasion

Referenced by Herodotus 9.65.

Question 5

Where is Sounion located?

Answer 5

At the southernmost tip of Attica

It is significant for its temple to Poseidon.

Question 6

What architectural style was the temple built for Poseidon at Sounion?

Answer 6

Peipteral Doric form

It featured a frieze depicting various mythological battles.

Question 7

What scenes were depicted on the frieze of the Poseidon temple at Sounion?

Answer 7

• The battle of the centaurs and the Lapiths
• The battle of the giants and the gods
• The labours of Theseus

Question 8

What type of temple was built to Athena down the hill from the temple at Sounion?

Answer 8

Ionic order

It had columns on two sides only.

Question 9

What was notable about the design of the marble stoa in Thorikos?

Answer 9

Unusual design with two separate U-shaped halves

It suggests a possible religious purpose.

Question 10

What was the sanctuary at Brauron significant for?

Answer 10

Particularly significant to the young women of Attica

It housed a temple to Artemis.

Question 11

What architectural feature was present in the stoa at Brauron?

Answer 11

Columns placed more widely apart than normal for Doric order

This was for ease of access.

Question 12

What was the function of another large room behind the dining rooms in the Brauron stoa?

Answer 12

Unclear

The building was designed to display votive offerings to Artemis.

Question 13

Where was a new temple to the goddess Nemesis built?

Answer 13

At Rhamnous in north-east Attica

It was constructed in the Doric Order.

Question 14

What interrupted the work on the temple to Nemesis at Rhamnous?

Answer 14

The Peloponnesian War

The columns remain unfluted as a result.

Question 15

Who possibly created the statue of Nemesis in the temple at Rhamnous?

Answer 15

Pheidias or his pupil Agorakritos

Mentioned by Pausanias (Description of Greece 1.33.2-3).

Question 16

What did the Persian invaders at Marathon bring with them?

Answer 16

Parian marble for a victory monument

This marble was later used by Pheidias for the statue of Nemesis.