View toward SW up the stairway leading to the Temple of Hephaistos on the ...

View from SW, Athens, Temple of Hephaistos

South side, from SE, Athens, Temple of Hephaistos

Northeast corner with Apples of Hesperides metope, Athens, Temple of Hepha...

Distant view of the temple, from NE, Athens, Temple of Hephaistos

View from N section of Metroon toward NW and monumental stairway to Temple...

Context: Athens
Type: Temple
Summary: Peripteral temple; on the west side of the Agora, on the Kolonos Agoraios.
Date: ca. 449 BC - 444 BC
Dimensions:

13.71 m x 38.24 m; intercolumniations: external columns 2.58 m (at the corners 2.41 m); lower diameter external columns: 1.02 m (at the corners 1.04 m); height external columns: 5.71 m.
Region: Attica
Period: Classical

Plan:

Doric peripteral temple, 6 x 13 columns. Cella with a pronaos and an opisthodomos, both distyle in antis. Interior with superimposed Doric colonnade along 3 of the cella walls, but the original number of columns is uncertain.

History:

Usually referred to as the Hephaisteion, the building was previously called the Theseion, a name still in common use. It has also been proposed that the temple was dedicated to Eukleia (Artemis). The temple was richly decorated. Planting pits dating from the 3rd century B.C. show that the temple grounds were fully landscaped. In the 7th century A.D. it was converted to a Christian church.

Other Bibliography:

Agora Guide 1976, 48-51; Camp 1986, 82-87; Travlos 1971, 261-262; Dinsmoor 1975, 179-181, 339

See Also: Athens, Agora S 429