Acropolis Masterpieces: Erechtheion Architecture and Parthenon Sculptures
Erechtheion: Classical Architecture and Cults
Historical Context and Construction
The Erechtheion belongs to the Classic Period. It is located in the far north of the Acropolis. The construction was entrusted to Mnesikles. The first phase was initiated during the Peace of Nicias, interrupted by the resumption of the Peloponnesian War. The building, the most grandiose Greek Ionic temple built during the time of Pericles, was finally completed in 406 BCE. It was intended to rebuild the temple destroyed by the Persians on the Acropolis of Athens, dedicated to Poseidon and Athena Erechtheion associated.
Architectural Style and Features
The temple is built in the Ionic style. In Greek architecture, the lintel is used, but not the arch or vault. The Ionic entablature consists of the architrave, the frieze, and the cornice. The entablature supports a double-sloped roof, creating triangular spaces at the front and back called pediments. The inner portion of the pediment, called the tympanum, was intended to receive sculptural decoration. Columns can be Doric, Ionic, or Corinthian.
The Caryatids
There is a column type called caryatids. There are six figures, but only four are in the front row. They are all different and exhibit a slight, graceful contrapposto, which maintains the required vertical lift of the shaft. Their hands have not survived, but they likely held liturgical elements.
Layout and Function
The Erechtheion replaces a series of earlier sanctuaries located in the same area, which explains why the ground is not leveled. This structure is highly original due to anomalies in its layout.
Key Parts of the Erechtheion
- Portico hexastyle (Eastern Façade)
- Naos of Athena Polias
- Temple of Erechtheus
- Temple of Poseidon
- Sanctuary of Cecrops
- Rectangular Naos dedicated to Erechtheus
- Tetrastyle Gate
- South Tribune of the Caryatids
The building follows an east-west axis, featuring two large areas separated from each other. The western section of the building’s east-west axis comprises three rooms accessible via the north-south axis. Two inner chambers are accessed from this space.
The north facade features a spacious porch with six Ionic columns. The Porch of the Caryatids is the most famous section; it provided access to the tomb of Cecrops.
The friezes and cornices have no direct link between them.
Religious Significance
Greek temples were small and did not serve to unite the community but rather to house the image of the divinity. The Erechtheion gathered various independent cults, each performed in a small, dedicated space.
The Parthenon Sculptures and Reliefs
Historical Context: Classical Period
The Parthenon sculptures exhibit all the features of the Classical Period of the fifth century BCE. The reliefs represent the high point of Greek sculpture during this era. The main characteristics of the sculpture are idealization, balance, and serenity.
Technique and Style
The reliefs were created using the subtractive sculpting technique, primarily in marble. They are now preserved in a monochrome state, though they were originally painted. We observe an evolution in the treatment of drapery in monumental sculpture, which gradually became more transparent (the technique known as the wet look or wet drapery).
Illustrations: Pediments, Frieze, and Metopes
Pediments
The pediments feature a perfect rhythmic composition of different groups, subtle glimpses, overlapping figures (creating a three-dimensional effect), and a perfect adaptation to the triangular frame.
Meaning and Function
Phidias represented the most important episodes in the life of Athena: the myth of her birth from the head of Zeus on the East Pediment, and the episode of her dispute with Poseidon for possession of Attica on the West Pediment.
Frieze
The Frieze avoids monotony through compositional differences in attitudes; some areas are highly dynamic due to their content, while others are paused.
Meaning and Function
Athens pays tribute to Athena. The Frieze also represents the Panathenaic Procession with a generic treatment, depicting a scene that was repeated every four years, rather than corresponding to a specific ceremony that took place in a given year.
Metopes
The Metopes typically feature two figures in high relief against a plain background. The quality of the execution is quite irregular; some figures appear forced and rigid, while others exhibit high plasticity, suggesting they were realized by Phidias or his immediate workshop.
Meaning and Role
They are Doric elements, representing scenes related to great battles on each of the four sides:
- Gigantomachy (the fight between Gods and Giants [EAST])
- Amazonomachy (the fight between Amazons and Athenians [WEST])
- Centauromachy (the fight between Centaurs and Lapiths [SOUTH])
- Iliou Persis (the destruction of Troy [NORTH])
Of the 92 metopes, only those on the South side were largely preserved.