Overall view from SW, Sounion, Temple of Poseidon

Overall view from W and below, Sounion, Temple of Poseidon

Temple and fortifications from NE, Sounion, Temple of Poseidon

Interior of temple from W end of terrace, Sounion, Temple of Poseidon

Aerial view of temple of Poseidon, close, from SW, Sounion

Aerial view, from NW, Sounion, Propylon to the Sanctuary of Poseidon, Temp...

Context: Sounion
Type: Temple
Summary: Peripteral temple, 6 x 13 columns; in the Sanctuary of Poseidon.
Date: ca. 444 BC
Dimensions:

31.12 m x 13.47 m; column height: 6.12 m.
Region: Attica
Period: Classical

Plan:

Doric peripteral temple with cella opening east. A pronaos and an opisthodomos, both distyle in antis with identical dimensions.

History:

Built by the Athenians to replace an older uncompleted temple, a portion of which can be seen south of the temple platform, damaged by the Persians in 480 B.C. The earlier, poros temple was begun ca. 490 B.C. Before this temple was built, a simple, small temple was erected on the southern side of the later temple, perhaps to temporarily house the cult statue of Poseidon. Because of similarities in design and building methods the design of this building is attributed to the anonymous architect of the Hephaisteion, in Athens. The temple ruins extant today have been substantially restored.

Other Bibliography:

PECS, 854; Rossiter 1981, 200; Dinsmoor 1975,181-182; Davaras 1979, 36