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January 2, 2025
Towering above the Aegean Sea, on the dramatic headland of Cape Sounion, stands the majestic Temple of Poseidon. Its iconic silhouette against the azure sky has captivated travellers and artists for centuries, including the renowned poet Lord Byron. But beneath the surface, concealed by the later marble masterpiece, lies a hidden architectural treasure: the Archaic Temple of Poseidon.
This forgotten structure was brought back to light in 1884 by pioneering archaeologist Wilhelm Dörpfeld. As noted in Paga and Miles' (2016) article, Dörpfeld's publication of his investigations marked a turning point in our understanding of the site. During his excavations, he made the remarkable discovery of an earlier limestone temple, predating the famous Classical structure. Unfortunately, Dörpfeld's investigations were hindered by the presence of the later temple, built directly on top of its predecessor, as well as subsequent interventions made to the site over the years. Modern additions and alterations, while necessary for preservation, further obscured the remnants of the Archaic temple.
Despite these challenges, Dörpfeld and subsequent scholars, like Valerios Staïs, managed to piece together a picture of this long-vanished sanctuary. Scattered architectural blocks, including column drums and capitals, provide tangible evidence of its former glory. Crucially, four Doric capitals, reused as supports in the nearby Sanctuary of Athena, offer a vital clue to the Archaic temple's dating. Their stylistic features, documented in drawings by William Bell Dinsmoor Jr., suggest a construction date in the Late Archaic or Early Classical period, roughly between 500 and 480 BC. This dating is further corroborated by other architectural details visible in the surviving blocks, such as the use of an articulated Doric order and the temple's imposing scale.
Although only a fraction of the original structure survives, it's possible to reconstruct the Archaic Temple of Poseidon with a degree of certainty. It featured a 6 x 13 Doric peristyle, a configuration that places it among the earliest examples of this plan in the Greek world. Its dimensions classify it as a hekatompedon, literally a "100-footer," indicating a significant structure.
Based on the observations of Dörpfeld and Staïs, who were able to study more of the temple before later interventions, the internal layout likely consisted of a pronaos, a cella with an interior colonnade, and an opisthodomos – the standard arrangement for a Greek temple. One distinctive feature was the alignment of the pronaos, which created a "pseudodipteral" effect in the outer colonnade, possibly inspired by architectural trends in the Cyclades or Asia Minor.
The Archaic Temple of Poseidon offers a fascinating glimpse into the evolution of Athenian architecture and piety. Its design shares remarkable similarities with its marble successor, demonstrating a clear architectural continuity at Sounion. Both temples employed the same 6 x 13 plan and differed only slightly in size – the Classical temple was just large enough to encompass the krepidoma of its Archaic predecessor. In terms of scale and plan, the Archaic Temple of Poseidon can be compared to other important contemporary structures, such as the Temple of Aphaia on Aigina and the Hephaisteion in Athens.
But why would the Athenians undertake such an ambitious project at Sounion in the Late Archaic period? Theodoropoulou-Polychroniadis (2015), in "Sounion Revisited," points to the site's strategic and geographical significance, commanding both land and sea routes. Situated at the southernmost tip of Attica, Cape Sounion served as the outer gateway to Athens' harbours and played a vital role in maritime communication and defence. Paga and Miles highlight Sounion's inclusion in a network of Poseidon sanctuaries protecting key sea routes.
The construction of the Archaic Temple of Poseidon coincided with the growing might of the Athenian navy, a development intrinsically linked to the city's rising power and ambitions in the Aegean. The temple, therefore, can be seen as a testament not only to religious devotion, but also to Athenian pride and power. Its sheer scale and grandeur served as a powerful symbol of Athenian dominance at a crucial maritime crossroads.
Although the Archaic Temple of Poseidon at Sounion may be hidden from view, it offers valuable insights into a pivotal period in Athenian history. This innovative and impressive structure stands as a testament to the city's evolving architectural prowess, its burgeoning naval power, and its deep reverence for the gods. A visit to Sounion today offers a unique opportunity to not only marvel at the iconic Classical temple but also to imagine the grandeur of its forgotten predecessor, a hidden gem waiting to be rediscovered.
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