Reconstructed drawing of the Athenian acropolis in the 5th
century B.C.:
Propylaia = ³gates² = monumental entryway marking off sacred from secular space
Nike bastion = temenos and temple of Athena Nike, set on top of the Mycenaean citadel bastion (with windows left in the wall so that the Mycenaean masonry could still be seen)
Old Athena temple: The ruins of the temple of Athena Polias (the protector of the city) were left visible as a reminder of the destruction of the city by the ³barbarians² during the Persian wars
Erechtheum: New temple constructed next to Old Athena temple to house the cult of Athena Polias and to incorporate other religious monuments = tombs of Kekrops, Erecththeus/ Ericthonius, Pandroseion, salt spring of Poseidon, olive tree of Athena
Parthenon: All marble temple of Athena Parthenos (Athena the virgin), housing the famous gold and ivory statue of Athena by Pheidias and housing the treasury of Athens¹ naval empire
PLAN OF THE ATHENIAN ACROPOLIS: 5th Century B.C.; showing possible route of the Arrhephoroi from the acropolis down to the sanctuary of Aphrodite and Eros; Location of the cave of Aglauros, where Athenian ephebes took their oath to the city upon embarking on their military service.
The Erechtheum: ground plan (caryatid porch to left)
On left: porch with columns in the shape of young girls = the arrhephoroi?
East façade of the Erechtheum