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Erechtheion
L'Erechthéion, qui domine le versant nord de l'Acropole, sera érigé entre 421 et 414, puis 409 et 406 avant Jésus-Christ, à l'endroit de la dispute entre Poséidon et Athéna au sujet de la suprématie d'Athènes. La déesse y plantera l'olivier sacré qui assurera sa victoire, à coté du puits d'eau salé offert par Poséidon.
Le temple d'ordre ionique vénérera Athéna Polias, Poséidon, ainsi que d'autres divinité du panthéon athénien, comme Erechthée auquel d'édifice doit son nom.


The Erechtheum, or Erechtheion, is an ancient Greek temple on the north side of the Acropolis of Athens in Greece, notable for a design that is both elegant and unusual.

The temple as seen today was built between 421 BCE and 407 BCE. Its architect may have been Mnesicles, and it derived its name from a shrine dedicated to the legendary Greek hero Erichthonius. Some have suggested that it may have been built in honour of the legendary king Erechtheus, who is said to have been buried nearby. It is believed to have been a replacement for an older temple destroyed by the Persians around 480 BCE.

The Erectheum was associated with some of the most ancient and holy relics of the Athenians. The Palladion, which was a xoanon (defined as a wooden effigy fallen from heaven - not man-made) of Athena Polias (Protectress of the City), the tomb of Cecrops and the tomb of Erechtheus. The marks of Poseidon's trident and the salt water well (the "salt sea") that resulted from Poseidon's strike, the sacred olive tree planted by Athena in her successful rivalry with Poseidon for the city, and the precincts of Herse, Pandrosus and Aglaurus (the three daughters of Cecrops) where Kekrops'grave and Athena's olive tree were located (adjacent to the erechtheion) and of the tribal heroes Pandion and Boutes.

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Additional Photos by Jacques d'ABRIGEON (jafadabret) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5809 W: 709 N: 9104] (40651)
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