Temple of Athena Nike and Pergamon Altar Analysis
The Temple of Athena Nike
- Author: Callicrates
- Location: Acropolis of Athens
- Function: Religious building (temple)
- Style: Ionic
- Era: 5th Century BC
The most important elements (along with the walls) are the columns, which can be in the Doric, Ionic, or Corinthian style. This Ionic temple is characterized by capitals with volutes, an Ionic base, and an entablature with a continuous frieze. It features interesting optical corrections, such as the corner capitals designed so that the scrolls are visible from both the front and the sides.
Construction Elements
The Greek system is architrave-lintel. The floor plan consists of a cella and two porches, one on each side, formed by four Ionic columns separated from the cella in the front and the wall in the rear. At the top of these cellae, two pillars are placed in antis. According to established grounds, it is a small tetrastyle amphiprostyle temple.
Historical Context
In 480 BC, the Persian Wars led to the destruction of Athens and the Acropolis. According to Plutarch, the Periclean age saw many works in Athens, including the Parthenon and the Propylaea. This enormous effort caused fear regarding the resources of the Delian League, contributing to the Peloponnesian War. During the intermediate peace promoted by Nicias, construction resumed with the Temple of Nike, the Erechtheion, and the Asclepius sanctuary. After the war, the city was occupied, imposing a dictatorship before democracy was later restored.
Pergamon Altar
- Author: Pergamon School
- Original Location: The Acropolis of Pergamon
- Current Location: Berlin Museum
- Function: Religious and commemorative altar for sacrifices
- Era: Hellenistic (2nd Century BC)
Construction Elements
The most important elements (along with the walls) are the columns, which can be Doric, Ionic, or Corinthian. The Ionic Altar of Zeus is characterized by capitals with volutes, an Ionic base, and an entablature with a continuous frieze. The Greek system is architrave-lintel, located in the spaces surrounding the central area and the wings flanking the steps.
Building Function and Design
Altars in this era became independent buildings for sacrifices. The Altar of Zeus was constructed on the Acropolis of Pergamon at the initiative of Eumenes II to commemorate his father's victories. The floor plan follows the Ionic style, featuring more slender columns. It reflects the Greek pursuit of ideal beauty in sculpture.
Historical Context
After the death of Alexander the Great, the Hellenistic empire fragmented. Main centers of power shifted outside the original Greek territory to cities like Antioch, Alexandria, and Pergamon, which became the primary artistic hubs of the Hellenistic era.