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Sanctuary of Poseidon and Athena at Sounion
The sanctuary at Sounion is one of the most important sanctuaries in
Attica. Sporadic finds point to the conclusion that the site was inhabited
in the prehistoric period but there is no evidence of religious practice in
such an early date. "Sounion Hiron" (sanctuary of Sounion) is first
mentioned in the Odyssey, as the place where Menelaos stopped during his
return from Troy to bury his helmsman, Phrontes Onetorides.
The finds of the 7th century B.C. are numerous and Provo the existence of
organized cult on two points of the promontory: at the southern edge where
the temenos of Poseidon was situated, and about 500 m. to the NE of it,
where the sanctuary of Athena was established.
Important votive offerings were dedicated during the 6thn century B.C., but
the architectural form of both sanctuaries remained unpretentious until the
beginning of the 5th century B.C., when the Athenians initiated the
construction of an imposing poros temple in the temenos of Poseidon.
The building was never completed, though, as both the temple and the
offerings were destroyed by the Persians in 480 B.C. In the following
decades, Sounion, like the rest of Attica, flourished, and an important
building project was undertaken at both sanctuaries.
At the end of the 5th century and during the Peloponnesian War, the
Athenians fortified Sounion cape. From the 1st century B.C. onwards, the
sanctuaries gradually declined and Pausanias, who sailed along the coast of
the promontory in the mid-2nd century A.D., wrongly considered the
prominent temple on the top of the hill as the temple of Athena.
The site of the temple was known in the following centuries, as is proved
by descriptions of modern travelers, who visited Sounion before the
excavations started, as well as by graffiti on the stones, among which,
that made by Lord Byron. Restricted excavations in the sanctuary of
Poseidon were conducted in 1825 by the Dilettanti and by the German
architect W. Doerpfeld.
Systematic investigation was undertaken between 1897 and 1915 by the Athens
Archaeological Society, under the direction of Val. Stais, with the
collaboration of A. Orlandos. Since 1994, the Archaeological Society has
been carrying out excavations at the Fortress.
The monuments seen on the site are the following:
Sanctuary of PoseidonIt is situated in the southernmost, highest part of
the promontory. The area was evened off and supported by means of retaining
walls on the north and west sides. A Propylon was constructed on the north
side, and porticoes along the north and the east for the accommodation of
the pilgrims. The site was dominated by the Classical temple.
Temple of Poseidon At the end of the Archaic period an imposing temple was
constructed in the position of the Classical one seen today, but it was
slightly smaller in dimensions. It was Doric, made of poros, with an
external colonnade of 6 x 13 columns, and an internal one which supported
the roof. Its construction was interrupted by the Persian invasion and the
temple remained unfinished. The later temple, the one preserved today, was
also Doric, with 6 x 13 columns, made of Agrileza marble, but without an
internal colonnade. The stylobate measured 13,47 x 31,12 m.
It was constructed in 450-440 B.C. and, according to another theory, was
the work of the architect who had also built the Hephaisteion ("Theseion")
in the Ancient Agora of Athens, the Temple of Nemesis at Rhamnous, and the
Temple of Ares which was probably erected in Acharnes. The sculptural
decoration of the temple, made of Parian marble, is preserved in a poor
condition.
The frieze of the east side depicted Centauromachy, and the east pediment
(of which only a seated female figure is preserved) probably depicted the
fight between Poseidon and Athena for the domination of Attica.
The two ante of the east side and several of the columns of the east part
of the temple are still preserved today, while the west is completely
destroyed.
Propylon - Porticoes
The Propylon was constructed a little later than the Classical temple, and
was made of marble and poros. It is Doric, distil in antis on both sides
(north and south). A partition wall inside the building has three doorways,
of which the middle one is wider and has a ramp. Hop in on top of this page
A small rectangular hall is attached on the west wall of the Propylon,
while porticoes are erected along the north and west sides of the
sanctuary. The north of these porticoes is larger and slightly earlier.
The Fortress Sounion cape was fortified in 412 B.C. during the
Peloponnesian War, in order to control and secure the ships carrying
cereals to Athens. The use of various materials and construction techniques
is probably the result of repairs and additions made during the
Chremonides' War and the following years (266-229 B.C.).
The sanctuary of Poseidon occupies the SE end of the fortress. The wall
starts at the NE corner, extends to the north and turns to the west.
Shipyards for the sheltering of two war ships were constructed on the
coast, at the west end of the north branch of the fortification. Inside the
fortress, excavations have brought to light part of a central street,
remains of houses, and water cisterns.
Sanctuary of Athena It is situated on a hill 500 m. to the NE of the
Sanctuary of Poseidon. The area was evened off and enclosed with a poros
polygonal circuit wall. Inside the enclosed area were erected the Temple of
Athena, a smaller temple to the north, and altars.
A deep pit on the SE side of the temenos was used as a deposit for the
Archaic offerings destroyed by the Persians. The oval peribolos to the NW
of the temenos has been identified as the "Heroon of Phrontes".
Temple of Athena It has a rectangular cella, measuring 16,4 x 11,6 m. The
foundation of the pedestal supporting the cult statue is preserved on the
west side of the cella, while four Ionic columns in the center supported
the roof. One of the peculiarities of the temple, mentioned also by
Vitruvius, is the existence of an outer colonnade only on the east and
south sides.
Some scholars consider that the temple of Athena Sounias was reconstructed
after the mid-5th century B.C., while others believe that the cella was
built during the Archaic period, was repaired after the Persian
distractions, and the colonnade was added in the middle of the 5th century
B.C. A second peculiarity of the sanctuary is the placement of the altar to
the south of the temple.
Small Temple Small, Doric, prostyle temple measuring 5 x 6.80 m., situated
to the north of the Athena Temple. The pedestal of the cult statue is
preserved inside the cella. The date of the structure and the identity of
the deity worshipped is still a matter of debate.
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