Lambert 1
Cody Lambert
Teacher
Class
Word Count
30 November 2015
Title
The Temple of Apollo at Delphi, is a building of major importance for Greece. It was so
important for them that it was built four different times, each time adding a unique flair to it that
the last architecture didn’t bring. This is the same for the other temples of other establishments
and influences. Examples include four major eras of architecture: 1. Acropolis style, 2. Delphi, 3.
Thermos, 4. Sounion. Looking at the different Temples and their structures, one may see
similarities, as well as difference. However, one will always see a purpose, or a reason for the
structures to begin with. The temples were a unique design which was necessary. This is how and
why the temples were created, built with the materials they were made of, and designed the way
they were designed.
The first era is the Acropolis style. One of its famous temples is the Temple of Athena
Nike. The classical version of this temple was completed in 420 BCE and is the one that has
survived (Sakoulas). This is the smallest structure on the Athenian Acropolis; however, it holds
just as much importance as all others (Wycherley). During the Bronze Age, this temple did.
What was considered to be “double duty.” It stood as a shrine to Athens’ patron goddess, as well
as a symbol of its military and political strength (Wycherley). Athena was one of the Greek gods
who was thought of in great reverence due to the military and political “strength.” Military
strength was something that every Greek knew was necessary for the survival of their people.
Lambert 2
This is why, in regards to location, the structure is on the southwest corner of the Acropolis. This
spot was highly important to the worship of Nike, or victory, deities (Sakoulas). When the
Persians attacked, the temple was left in ruins. It was later built to be an Iconic shrine. A Shrine
such as Athena’s was so great that it could never be forgotten. It had four columns on the front
and back. It also was adorned with sculptural frieze all around, as was customary in Greek
temple construction (Wycherley). A guardrail encased the complete structure, which was also to
ensure the safety of visitors and to keep them from falling off of the Acropolis. “This fortification
was decorated with relief sculptures depicting various presentations of Nike” (Wycherley).
Deities were normally depicted with wings, however the deities in this temple were without the
wings, which stood for a “wingless victory.” The temple today can be seen on the Athenian
Acropolis in a restored state. It was dismantled in 1687 when the Turkish people sieged the area,
