Erechteion Temple in Athens

The south porch had the statues of 6 maidens known as Caryatids which supported the roof as opposed to the ionic columns supporting the north porch. It is believed that the temple was named after the great King Erechtheus. The temple housed a number of other gods and had a multitude of functions. The temple was made from Pentelic marble from the Mount Pentelicus.

The temple is the site of a number of Greek mythologies and holds a special place in ancient Greek history. The western chamber of the temple housed the sacred serpent belonging to Athena who was fed honey-cakes by the priestesses of the Athena Polias. The site is supposedly the burial places of Kings Kekrops and Erechtheus. The salt water well created by Poseidon’s strike and the sacred olive tree are all placed here as per mythology.