Top 10 Interesting Facts about Temple of Athena Nike

Temple of Athena Nike. Author Jebulon. WIKIMEDIA

Top 10 Interesting Facts about the Temple of Athena Nike

The Temple of Athena Nike has a prominent position on a steep bastion at the southwest corner of the Acropolis to the right of the entrance, the Propylaea.

This Temple is the smallest temple at the Acropolis in Athens. The Temple of Athena Nike was dedicated to the goddesses Athena and Nike.

It replaced an earlier small temple, which got destroyed during the Persian wars. Its location was used for religious purposes since the ‘Bronze Age. The temple was designed by Kallikrates and it was completed in the middle of the Peloponnesian War, at 420 B.C

The temple went through a series of mishaps, abuse and destruction. This was after the period of ancient Greece. In the 5th century AD, the temple was eventually converted into a church rather than a temple that praised Athena.

During the period of the Ottoman period, the temple was used as a munitions store. Instead of a church or temple, it was now a market for weapon distribution.

Let’s learn more about the Top 10 Interesting Facts about the Temple of Athena Nike

1. Dedicated to the Goddesses Athena and Nike

Athena was the patron deity of Athens. Nike was the goddess of victory often associated so closely with Athena.

The two became synchronized as Athena Nike (“Athena of Victory”). The small Ionic temple honoured Athena in her role as protector and defender of Athens.

2. The Temple was also Known as Apteros Nike

Temple of Athena Nike (south side), from below. Acropolis, Athens, Greece.Author Jebulon. WIKIMEDIA

The name Apteros Nike was given to the temple and goddess statue by Athenians a few centuries later. Apteros Nike means wingless victory, where it is said that the statue is wingless so that it cannot leave the city of Athens.

3. The Statue of Athena Nike was Made of Wood

The statue of Athena Nike was housed in the cella or naos. The inner chamber of a temple.

According to Greek writer Pausanias, the statue was made using wood. The statue was made holding a helmet in her left hand and a pomegranate in her right. Pomegranate is a symbol of fertility.

 Nike, who usually had wings, was depicted without any, helping it gain its name, Athena Apteros (without wings). It is believed that the statue of Athena had no wings so she could never leave Athens.

4. The Temple Succeeded Earlier Temple also Dedicated to Athena and Nike

The Temple of Athena Nike. Author George E. Koronaios. WIKIMEDIA

The Temple of Athena Nike succeeded earlier temples also dedicated to Athena Nike. The first temple was destroyed by the Persians in 480 BC. It was a mid-sixth century BC wooden temple.

The altar believed to have supported the cult statue of the goddess was known as the eschara. Moreover, a small temple of tufa was erected around the base of the statue.

 The foundations of these early temples and altars are preserved inside the bastion under the floor of the Temple of Athena Nike.

5. It is a Four-column Structure due to its Small Size

The Temple of Athena Nike is a four-column structure. This is because of its small size.

The temple has collonaded particos at the front and rear facades. The columns along the east and west fronts were monolithic columns.

Additionally, the temple ran 8 meters long, 5.5 meters wide, and 7 meters tall. It was constructed using white Pentelic marble. The side columns have volutes, a spiral scroll that forms the base of the lonic order.

6. The Temple was Demolished by the Turks in 1686

The Temple of Athena Nike. Author George E. Koronaios. WIKIMEDIA

The Temple of Athena Nike stood for almost 200 years before it was demolished. It was demolished by the Turks in 1686.

The Turks used the stones of the temple to build defences against the Venetians.

The “Venetians” finally forced the Turks to surrender after eight days of intense bombardment. The temple stones remained as part of the bastion until the liberation of Greece.

However, the temple was reconstructed in 1834. This was after the independence of Greece in 1821.

7. The Present Temple is considered to be the Closest to the Original One

In the 1930s the temple was dismantled as part of renovations. Archaeologists believed that there were flaws in the earlier reconstruction which was restored in 2010.

The present temple construction is considered to be the closest to the original. However, some stones, reliefs, and sections of the parapet, and its frieze can not be found at the current Temple of Athena Nike. They can be found in the Acropolis Museum and the British Museum.

8. The Small Temple had a Relief-Carved Frieze with Different Thematic Representations

Temple of Athena Nike’s relief-carved frieze had different thematic representations on each side. On the east, a gathering of gods around the enthroned Zeus.

Furthermore, the other sides presented scenes of war between Greeks and Persians or Greek with other Greeks. The victorious battle of the Greeks against the Persians at Marathon in 490 BC was depicted on the south side. The battle was led by the Athenians.

Additionally, Few sculptural remains are preserved from the temple’s pediments. It is believed the west pediment depicted the victory of the Olympian gods against the Giants (Gigantomachy). Furthermore, the east depicted the victory of the Athenians against the Amazons (Amazonomachy).

9. The Parapet of the Temple Acted as a Guardrail to Protect People

Temple of Athena Nike was surrounded by the parapet. It acted as a guardrail to protect people from falling off the steep bastion. . The parapet was built after the temple was complete, perhaps as late as 410 BCE.

The parapet was elaborately decorated with relief sculptures. The sculptures were seen best by the visitors ascending the ramp towards the Propylaia.

10. It was not a place where Regular People Would Enter

The Temple of Athena Nike was considered a home of the deity. However, it was not a place where regular people would enter.

The rituals were performed in front of the temple by the believers. Moreover, the believers could take a glimpse of the sculpted figure of the goddess through space. The space was between the columns.

Additionally, the privilege of entering the temple was reserved for the priestesses. The priestesses held a respected position in Greek society.