The Temple of Athena Nike ("Victorius Athena") in Athens was the earliest Ionic building to be built on the Acropolis. The temple was built around 427 BC and completed during the unrest of the Peloponnesian war.
Made completely of marble, its small size was compensated for in its position, resting on a rocky outcrop, purposely positioned so the Athenian people could worship the goddess of victory in hope of prosperous outcomes in the war's endeavours.
The decision to build Athena Nike was an expression of Athens's ambitions to be a world power as opposed to Persia. The frieze on the temple displays the decisive victory over the Persians at the battle of Plataea and a meeting between the gods Athena, Zeus and Poseidon.
Once the temple was completed the Athenians added a protective parapet. The parapet displayed an expression of determination and hope for final victory.
In the cellar of the temple is a statue of Athena as Nike Apterus, the goddess without wings. Her wings may have been removed by the Athenians in the hopes that she would remain in Athens.
No comments:
Post a Comment