Acropolis – XII: The Temple Of Athena Nike
Athena Nike Temple view from the Propylaea North wing.
The temple has a tetrastyle (four columns) Ionic structure with a colonnaded portico at both front (East) and rear (West) facades. The columns were monolithic columns. Approximately, the temple dimensions are 8,2 meters long by 5,6 meters wide. The total height from the stylobate, the top step of the stepped basement supporting the temple, to the acme of the pediment is 7,0 m. The ratio of height to diameter of the columns is 7:1. This slender proportion contributes to the elegant appearance of building.
This temple, probably designed by the architect Kallikrates in 437 BC and constructed in the following years, was built over an earlier temple. It is probable that a temple for Athena was established here as early as the time of the Peisistratids (561—510 BC). After the destruction of the Acropolis by the Persians in 480 BC (the cult figure was taken to Salamis for safety) a new shrine with a larger altar of Aiginetan limestone was built and the ancient cult figure was set up in it again. The building was not enlarged until the time of Perikles, when the cult was made one of the city cults of Athens through the appointment of a priestess elected from the people.
The architects disagreed on the proposed building plans of the Propylaea and the Nike Temple. A compromise was reached between the two architectural plans and a tower-like substructure, the Nike Bastion, was set up for the Nike Temple. On one side the Nike Bastion was flanked by the ramp of the Propylaea.
Source: H.R. Goette, “Athens, Attica and the Megarid – An Archaeological Guide”
Athens Acropolis, Athena Nike Temple
Designed by Kallikrates
437 – 420 BC
Acropolis – XII: The Temple Of Athena Nike
Athena Nike Temple view from the Propylaea North wing.
The temple has a tetrastyle (four columns) Ionic structure with a colonnaded portico at both front (East) and rear (West) facades. The columns were monolithic columns. Approximately, the temple dimensions are 8,2 meters long by 5,6 meters wide. The total height from the stylobate, the top step of the stepped basement supporting the temple, to the acme of the pediment is 7,0 m. The ratio of height to diameter of the columns is 7:1. This slender proportion contributes to the elegant appearance of building.
This temple, probably designed by the architect Kallikrates in 437 BC and constructed in the following years, was built over an earlier temple. It is probable that a temple for Athena was established here as early as the time of the Peisistratids (561—510 BC). After the destruction of the Acropolis by the Persians in 480 BC (the cult figure was taken to Salamis for safety) a new shrine with a larger altar of Aiginetan limestone was built and the ancient cult figure was set up in it again. The building was not enlarged until the time of Perikles, when the cult was made one of the city cults of Athens through the appointment of a priestess elected from the people.
The architects disagreed on the proposed building plans of the Propylaea and the Nike Temple. A compromise was reached between the two architectural plans and a tower-like substructure, the Nike Bastion, was set up for the Nike Temple. On one side the Nike Bastion was flanked by the ramp of the Propylaea.
Source: H.R. Goette, “Athens, Attica and the Megarid – An Archaeological Guide”
Athens Acropolis, Athena Nike Temple
Designed by Kallikrates
437 – 420 BC