Hekatompedon temple

Welcome to the sacred summit of the Acropolis. While your eyes are naturally drawn to the towering columns of the Parthenon, we are here to discuss its predecessor, the Hekatompedon. …

Look closely at the limestone blocks laid out between the Parthenon and the Erechtheion. These are the foundations of what archaeologists call the 'Archaios Neos' or the Old Temple of Athena, which was either synonymous with or…

While the stones at our feet are relatively plain, the Hekatompedon was once home to some of the most striking sculptures of the Archaic age. The most famous is the 'Triple-Bodied Monster,' often called 'Bluebeard.' This figure,…

Let us consider the significance of the name Hekatompedon. In the 6th century BC, building a temple exactly 100 feet long was a major technical and symbolic feat. …

In 480 BC, the Hekatompedon met a violent end. The Persian King Xerxes, seeking revenge for the defeat at Marathon, occupied Athens and put the Acropolis to the torch. …

To understand the Hekatompedon, we must also look at what came after it. In the 5th century AD, the Parthenon—which replaced the Hekatompedon—was converted into a Christian church dedicated to the Virgin Mary. …

As you look at the foundations today, you will notice extensive scaffolding and ongoing work. This is part of the long-term restoration project for the Acropolis. …

As we stand here at the end of our exploration, let us take one final look at the quiet foundations of the Hekatompedon. It is easy to be overwhelmed by the Parthenon, but the Hekatompedon is the ancestor that gave it life. …