C O N T E X T:
The Erechtheion is an ancient Greek temple contextually situated within the Athenian Acropolis. The Acropolis was as an urban setting at the time, fulfilling the communal function of a religious site, and depicting the “power and grandeur of ancient Greece.” Located on the north side of the Acropolis, the structure of the Erechtheion retains a bespoke quality in response to its influencing environmental setting, particularly the topography of the site on which it resides. The consequent two-level design, along with several other unique features, subtly differentiates the Erechtheion from its neighbours, giving the building its own identity, while allowing it to enhance the communal nature of the Athenian Acropolis. Thus, the Erechtheion is designed in response to it’s environment, giving it a unique, yet complementary presence in the Athenian Acropolis.
An Urban Setting- The Acropolis
The Erechtheion is located in The Acropolis, a communal and urban site which was used as a public space during the “Golden Age” of the city. This was a time of great influence and power and consequently, The Acropolis was constructed as “a group of buildings, mostly temples, which collectively embodied the Athenian dedication to the pursuit and enjoyment of imperial power.” This group of buildings included three main structures: the Propylaea, the Parthenon and the Erechtheion. Each building has its own identity, and was significant in enhancing the Acropolis as a communal site which fulfilled the purpose of serving the people of Athens by reminding them of the higher powers to which their city was devoted; while “showcasing the power and grandeur of Greece at the time.” Amongst these buildings, the Erechtheion functioned as a religious shrine centre, housing the wooden cult statue of Athena, through which homage was paid to the Gods. Therefore, the buildings of the Acropolis created a communal and urban public space, fulfilling religious functions and depicting the power and influence of ancient Greece.
Environmental Influence- Topography of the Acropolis
The Erechtheion is a temple distinct from all others, yet complex in its form consequent of the environmental and religious restrictions that accompany the site on which it resides. An environmental factor which has significantly influenced its design is the topography of the Athenian Acropolis. The Acropolis has an “uneven terrain” with the northern ground sloping in various directions – north and west. As the Erechtheion replaced the sixth century Pisistratid Temple of Athena Polias, it is situated on sacred ground which has sustained several cults and shrines throughout its time. Prohibited by religious belief, the architect was unable to alter the sacred site by terracing the ground to accommodate a traditionally designed temple, and consequently, the building encapsulates a two-level structure along with four distinctively designed sides, distinguishing it from any other Greek temple. Accordingly, it is both praised as “an excellent solution to problems of site and cult,” and criticised as an “unsatisfactory design that uses heavy decoration to disguise a lack of unity,” by various scholars. Thus, the Erechtheion is a unique form of ancient Greek architecture due to its adaptation to the environment in which it resides.
Identity Amongst Neighbours
The Erechtheion sits comfortably amongst its neighbours, ironically due to its diversity from them. The buildings of the Acropolis were designed to form a community, in which they enhance one another to fulfil their function of “paying homage to the Gods, while showcasing the power and influence of the Greek empire at the time.” Consequently, The Erechtheion held unique qualities which were imperfect, allowing it to complement, but not rival its dominatingly perfect neighbour – The Parthenon. “The Erechtheion was the antithesis of the Parthenon,” due to it’s asymmetrical plan, Ionic order as oppose to the “harmoniously balanced plan of the Doric Parthenon,” contrastingly small scale, and devotion to traditional rather than marital cults. The sense of community formed by the buildings within the Acropolis was heightened by the communal purpose of “showcasing the power and influence of the Greek empire”. This was emphasised through the alignment and positioning of the buildings within the acropolis, so that the façade of each building was never parallel to their viewer, showing at least two different dimensions of the building from one vantage point. Therefore, the diversity of the Erechtheion allows it to complement the Parthenon, enhancing the communal quality of the Acropolis, and contributing to the fulfilment of a common purpose.
The context of the Erechtheion is shaped by several factors, including its immediate urban setting of the Athenian Acropolis, the social, cultural and environmental factors that influenced its design and use, and the identity it has amongst its neighbours and community. Consequently, the Erechtheion was designed in response to these factors, giving it a unique, yet complementary presence in the Athenian Acropolis.