Temple of Hephaestus
or Theseion

Temple of Hephaestus and Athena Ergane or Theseion. The Doric temple, which stands at the western end of the Agora, on the hill  of Agoraios Kolonos, erected by the architect Ictinos before the Parthenon (449-440 BC), depicts the exploits of Theseus in its friezes and metopes.

Reconstruction of the bronze statues of Athena and Hephaestus, inside the temple. They were created by Alkamenes, between 421 - 415 BC. At the base of the statues represented the birth of Erichthonios. Gaia was holding the child Erichthonios up to Athena, a symbolism that Athenians were aboriginals and their city had never been conquered.

© 1999 Ellen Papakyriakou/Anagnostou. All rights reserved.