Plan, Samos, Great Hera Temple

Temple remains from west, Samos, Great Hera Temple

Single standing column of Hera temple, Samos, Great Hera Temple

Context: Samos, Heraion
Type: Temple
Summary: The Great Hera Temple is opposite the cult altar in the Sanctuary of Hera at Samos
Date: 510 BC - 460 BC
Dimensions:

Stylobate: 55.16 x 108.63 m. Column height: ca. 20 m.
Region: Sporades
Period: Archaic/Classical

Plan:

A dipteral (double colonnade) temple with a 3rd row of columns at front and back (3 rows of 8 along front and 3 rows of 9 along back). Ionic order. Pronaos and cella divided into 3 aisles by two rows of columns. Steps at front added in Roman period.

History:

Construction lasted over a century and possibly never completed. Built as part of the tyrant Polykrates' building campaign over the earlier dipteral temple of architects Rhoikos and Theodoros. Stood in ruins by 170 A.D.

Other Bibliography:

Kyrieleis 1981, 63-72

See Also: Samos, Hera Temple of Rhoikos and Theodoros