Erechtheion

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Mark Cartwright
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published on 19 November 2014
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The Erechtheion temple of the Athenian acropolis was constructed between 421 and 406 BCE. The temple was built to house the ancient cult wooden statue of Athena and as a shrine to other local gods such as the early Athenian kings Erechtheus and Kekrops, and Boutes and Pandrosos. Poseidon and Zeus also had sacred precincts within the building. The south porch has the iconic Caryatids which make the building one of the most distinctive surviving structures of antiquity.

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About the Author

Mark Cartwright
Mark is a full-time writer, researcher, historian, and editor. Special interests include art, architecture, and discovering the ideas that all civilizations share. He holds an MA in Political Philosophy and is the WHE Publishing Director.

Cite This Work

APA Style

Cartwright, M. (2014, November 19). Erechtheion. World History Encyclopedia. Retrieved from https://www.worldhistory.org/image/3263/erechtheion/

Chicago Style

Cartwright, Mark. "Erechtheion." World History Encyclopedia. Last modified November 19, 2014. https://www.worldhistory.org/image/3263/erechtheion/.

MLA Style

Cartwright, Mark. "Erechtheion." World History Encyclopedia. World History Encyclopedia, 19 Nov 2014, https://www.worldhistory.org/image/3263/erechtheion/. Web. 15 May 2025.

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