The cella of the temple of Aphaia had the unusual feature of having two rows of two columns supporting another level of columns that reached the roof.

What is particularly unusual and important about the Temple of Aphaia?

The cella of the temple of Aphaia had the unusual feature of having two rows of two columns supporting another level of columns that reached the roof.

What was Aphaia the goddess of?

Aphaea, also spelled Aphaia, was a Greek goddess who has been associated with numerous other goddess names, depending on location. She was initially associated with fertility and agriculture when her name came into being in the early 14th century BCE.

What is particularly significant about the Pedimental statuary of the Temple of Aphaia?

The pediments of the Temple of Aphaia on Aegina are the temple’s most interesting features. Pieces of three sculptural sets have been preserved, and together they show how the temple straddles the divide between the archaic and classical periods.

Where is Aegina?

Greece
Aegina, Modern Greek Aíyina, island, one of the largest in the Saronic group of Greece, about 16 miles (26 km) south-southwest of Piraeus. With an area of about 32 square miles (83 square km), it is an eparkhía (eparchy) of the nomós (department) of Piraeus.

What was the purpose of the Temple of Aphaia?

Excavations at the Temple of Aphaia show that the hill was used as a place of worship since the Bronze Age, while the first architectural elements were erected on site in the 7th century BCE. During the initial excavations it was believed that the temple was dedicated to Zeus or to Athena.

Who was Britomartis?

Britomartis, Cretan goddess sometimes identified with the Greek Artemis. According to Callimachus in Hymn 3 (3rd century bc), Britomartis was a daughter of Zeus (king of the gods) and lived in Crete; she was a huntress and a virgin.

Is Aegina a nice island?

Aegina Sightseeing. Only an hour ferry ride from Athens, Aegina is a nice and relaxing island in the Saronic Gulf. With small fishing villages and lovely beach resorts, it gets very popular as a weekend destination.

Why is Aegina so popular?

Aegina is an idyllic Greek island very close to Athens, thus a very popular destination for quick getaways. Belonging to the Saronic group of islands, Aegina Greece has many archaeological monuments, picturesque villages, and beautiful beaches!

Why was the Temple of Apollo at Didyma important?

The construction of the mighty temple — the Archaic Didymaion (the Temple of Apollo at Didyma) — was completed around 550 BCE. This temple was to bring glory to the most significant of the Ionian cities at that time, i.e. Miletus.

What is unusual about the Erechtheion?

The temple is unusual in that it incorporates two porches (prostaseis); one at the northwest corner which is supported by tall Ionic columns, and one at the south-west corner which is supported by six massive female statues, the famous Caryatids.

What is the temple of Aphaia?

There were many theories regarding the temple of Aphaia. When initially discovered in the 18th century after years of oblivion and disuse, it was thought to be the temple of Zeus Panhellenius and was then attributed to Athena. Only later when a relic containing a relevant inscription was found, the temple was attributed to Aphaia.

What does Aphaia mean in Greek mythology?

Aphaea is said to be a mountain and a hunting goddess who protects shipping. Aegina was an important shipping area of the region. The maritime prosperity of Aegina during the sixth and fifth century is the reason for the beautifully built Temple of Aphaia at Aegina.

How many columns are in the temple of Aphaia?

The temple of Aphaia introduced architectural refinements in its proportions and inclination of the columns that influenced the architectural style of later Classical temples like the Parthenon of Athens. The temple had a total of 32 columns, 29 of which were monolithic and three were built of drums.

What is the statue of Aphaia in the middle of the tomb?

The statue of the deity Aphaia is believed to have been erected at a position less than central; a stone base found in the northwest corner in the cella may have held a wooden statue of Aphaia. In the center of the same cella presumably stood another statue of the goddess which was set on a base and surrounded by a wooden railing.