On the south side of the Erechtheion is The Porch of the Caryatids, or, The Porch of the Maidens, where the most sacred relic of Athens was housed, the Palladium, a olive wood effigy of the Goddess Pallas Athena, said not to have been made by human hand, but to have miraculously fallen from heaven.

What did the Erechtheion symbolize?

The Erechtheion is perhaps the most complex building on the Acropolis. It houses shrines to several different deities, including Athena, Zeus and Poseidon. It is named for the mythic King Erechtheus who judged the contest between Athena and Poseidon for who would be the patron deity of Athens.

What is the difference between an Canephora and a caryatid?

Girls from Caryae were considered especially beautiful, strong, and capable of giving birth to strong children. A caryatid supporting a basket on her head is called a canephora (“basket-bearer”), representing one of the maidens who carried sacred objects used at feasts of the goddesses Athena and Artemis.

What period is Nike adjusting her sandal from?

Nike Adjusting Her Sandal, marble relief sculpture from the balustrade of the Temple of Athena Nike, Acropolis, Athens, c. 420–410 bce; in the Acropolis Museum, Athens.

What is a male Caryatid called?

A Caryatid is a female figure used as an architectural support in place of a pillar. The male equivalent is an Atlantes, and these too are covered on this page – though the female is much the more common.

Where are the caryatids of the Erechtheion?

On the high stylobate of the south porch of the Erechtheion are six maidens, who take the place of columns in supporting the entablature. Now severely weathered and affected by pollution, five of the caryatids were removed to the Acropolis Museum in 1978 and replaced with replicas.

What is a male caryatid called?

What was the purpose of the Erechtheion?

The Erechtheion was named after the demi-god Erechtheus (Cartwright). The primary function for the Erechtheion was to to house the ancient wooden cult statue of Athena, but also served other purposes as discussed below (Cartwright).

What is the caryatid in the Erechtheion?

The Erechtheion Caryatid – Karyatis This Caryatid is a marble sculpted female figure that was initially part of the Erechtheion, which is an ancient Greek temple on the Acropolis of Athens in Greece. This Caryatid is one of six female figures that supported the architrave on the south porch of the Erechtheion.

What is the Erechtheion known for?

In addition to being a temple built in honor of the Greek Gods, the Erechtheion is also known for the unique pillars holding up the porch on the south side. What is unique about these pillars is that they are shaped in the form of women and are called Caryatids, which is a human figure acting as a column (khanacademy.com).

Who was the architect of the Erechtheion in Athens?

Caryatid (South Porch) and Ionic Column (North Porch), Erechtheion on the Acropolis, Athens, marble, 421-407 B.C.E., Classical Period (British Museum, London). Mnesicles may have been the architect. The Erechtheion is perhaps the most complex building on the Acropolis.

What does the caryatid look like?

This Caryatid is a marble sculpted female figure that was initially part of the Erechtheion, which is an ancient Greek temple on the Acropolis of Athens in Greece. This Caryatid is one of six female figures that supported the architrave on the south porch of the Erechtheion. The Caryatid wears a peplos pinned on each shoulder.