Temple of Poseidon Sounion

temple of poseidon @ cape sounion, east.



temple of poseidon @ cape sounion, built circa 440 bc.



greek hexastyle temple doric columns. temple of hephaistos in agora of athens (ca. 450 bc). built in same period , similar plan (and same architect), structure closely illustrates appearance of temple of poseidon @ sounion when intact. note surviving naos (internal hall of worship)

ancient greek religion propitiatory in nature, i.e., based on notion avoid misfortune, 1 must seek favour of relevant gods prayers, gifts , sacrifices. ancient greek, every natural feature, e.g. hill, lake, stream or wood, controlled god. person swim in river, example, prayer river-god or make offering god s shrine, avoid chance of drowning. gods considered immortal , change shape, become invisible , travel anywhere instantaneously. in many other respects, considered similar humans. shared whole range of human emotions, both positive , negative. thus, in attitudes towards humans, both benevolent , malicious. humans, had family , clan hierarchies. mate humans, , produce demi-gods.

in maritime country greece, god of sea occupied high position in divine hierarchy. in power, poseidon considered second zeus (jupiter), supreme god of olympian pantheon. implacable wrath, manifested in form of storms, feared mariners. in age without mechanical power, storms resulted in shipwrecks , drownings.

the temple @ cape sounion, attica, therefore, venue mariners, , entire cities or states, propitiate poseidon making animal sacrifice or leaving gifts.

the temple of poseidon constructed in 444–440 bc, on ruins of temple dating archaic period. perched above sea @ height of 60 metres (200 ft). design of temple typical hexastyle, i.e., had front portico 6 columns. columns of sounion temple stand today, when intact have closely resembled contemporary , well-preserved temple of hephaestus beneath acropolis, may have been designed same architect.

as greek temples, poseidon building rectangular, colonnade on 4 sides. total number of original columns 34: 15 columns still stand today. columns of doric order. made of locally quarried white marble. 6.10 m (20 ft) high, diameter of 1 m (3.1 ft) @ base , 79 cm (31 inches) @ top.

at centre of temple colonnade have been hall of worship (naos), windowless rectangular room, similar partly intact hall @ temple of hephaestus. have contained, @ 1 end facing entrance, cult image, colossal, ceiling-height (6 metres (20 ft)) bronze statue of poseidon. covered in gold leaf, may have resembled contemporary representation of god, appropriately found in shipwreck, shown in figure above. poseidon portrayed carrying trident, weapon supposedly used stir storms. on longest day of year, sun sets in middle of caldera of island of patroklos, extinct volcano lies offshore, suggesting astrological significance siting of temple. temple of poseidon sacked , destroyed in invasion of peloponnesus visgoths in 396 ad.

archaeological excavation of site in 1906 uncovered numerous artifacts , inscriptions, notably marble kouros statue known sounion kouros , impressive votive relief, both in athens national archaeological museum. column temple can seen in british museum.