classiv temples

Parthenon

Doric temple on the Acropolis (Athens) dedicated to Athena Parthenos; major example of Classical Greek temple design.

Parthenon—date

Built in the 5th century BC (construction usually given as 447–432 BC).

Parthenon—purpose

House for the cult statue of Athena; also showed Athenian power/wealth and religious devotion.

Parthenon—order/style

Mainly Doric, with some Ionic features (e.g., an Ionic frieze).

Parthenon—location

Built on the Acropolis (sacred hill) overlooking Athens.

Greek temple—basic purpose

A “house of the god”: protects the cult statue; worship/sacrifice mainly happens outside at the altar.

Greek sanctuary

A holy area with a temple + altar (often more than one), usually separated from the city by a wall.

Greek sanctuary—washing

Water used for purification (washing hands/feet) so worshippers are not “polluted.”

Altar (Greek religion)

The key place for public worship and sacrifice; usually outside the temple.

Cult statue

A statue of a god/goddess kept inside the temple (in the cella/naos).

Cella / Naos

Main inner room of a temple containing the cult statue (Rome often says “cella”; Greece often says “naos”).

Pronaos

The porch/entrance area before the main room (cella/naos).

Opisthodomos

Rear room/porch of some Greek temples (often used for storage/treasury).

Peristyle / colonnade

The outer ring of columns around a Greek temple.

Doric order

Greek column style: plain capital, no base, heavy proportions; frieze has triglyphs and metopes.

Ionic order

Greek column style: scroll (volute) capitals; generally slimmer columns; continuous frieze common.

Pediment

Triangular space at the ends of a temple roof, often filled with sculpture.

Metope

Square panel in the Doric frieze, often carved with a myth scene.

Triglyph

Doric frieze block with three vertical grooves; alternates with metopes.

Frieze

A sculpted/painted band of decoration (Doric: triglyphs/metopes; Ionic: continuous band).

Parthenon—east pediment

Myth scene: the birth of Athena (traditional identification).

Parthenon—west pediment

Myth scene: contest between Athena and Poseidon for Athens (traditional identification).

Parthenon—why myths on temples

Myths show the god’s power and values; they link the city/community to the god and teach identity.

Temple of Zeus (Olympia)

Doric temple at Olympia dedicated to Zeus; central to the sanctuary at Olympia.

Temple of Zeus—date

Built in the early Classical period (often given as 470–456 BC; finished before the statue was installed).

Olympia / Altis

The sacred enclosure at Olympia where the main temples and altars stood.

Temple of Zeus—west pediment

Centauromachy (battle of Centaurs and Lapiths) = civilisation vs barbarism theme.

Temple of Zeus—east pediment

Pelops vs Oinomaos chariot-race myth (linked to Olympia’s local stories and origins).

Temple of Zeus—metopes

Depict the Labours of Heracles (Herakles) (common textbook identification).

Cult statue of Zeus

A huge seated Zeus (about 13 m) made of gold and ivory (chryselephantine), by Phidias (traditional).

Chryselephantine

Made from gold (chryso-) and ivory (-elephantine), used for major cult statues.

Greek sacrifice—purpose

To honour the god(s), ask favour, and keep good relations with the divine.

Greek sacrifice—where it happens

At the altar (usually outside), not inside the temple.

Greek sacrifice—key idea

Shared ritual + shared meal can reinforce community and religion.

Temple decoration—why it matters

Decoration communicates myths/values, shows wealth, and glorifies the god and the city.

Roman temple—basic purpose

A building dedicated to a god, housing the cult statue; also expresses Roman power, tradition, and identity.

Roman sanctuary / sacred space

Includes temple + altar; Romans emphasised purity to avoid angering the gods.

Pax deorum

“The peace of the gods”: correct ritual keeps Rome in good standing with the gods.

Do ut des

“I give so that you may give”: Romans offer correct ritual/sacrifice expecting divine favour in return.

Typical Roman temple plan

Podium + front steps + deep porch; columns at front; cella behind.

Podium

Raised platform a Roman temple sits on (often with steps at the front).

Semi-engaged column

A supporting column embedded in a wall, protruding partway (common in Roman temple sides/rear).

Pantheon—date

Completed around AD 125.

Pantheon—commissioned by

Rebuilt/commissioned by Emperor Hadrian (after an earlier Pantheon burned).

Pantheon—meaning of name

“Pantheon” = “all gods” (from Greek roots).

Pantheon—location

Rome (Campus Martius / Field of Mars area).

Pantheon—style

Corinthian columns at the front; interior is a rotunda with a dome.

Pantheon—materials

Marble, brick, and concrete (key for the dome structure).

Rotunda

A round Roman building (especially one with a dome).

Dome

Roof structure shaped like a half-sphere; major Roman engineering feature.

Oculus

A circular opening at the top of a dome (Pantheon’s main light source).

Pantheon—function

Function/dedication is debated (often treated as a temple to all gods, but not certain).

Pantheon—significance

One of the best-preserved ancient Roman buildings; famous rotunda + oculus.

Temple of Portunus—name

Also called “Fortuna Virilis” historically, but now linked to Portunus (god of harbours).

Temple of Portunus—date

Constructed during the Roman Republic, c. 120–80 BC.

Temple of Portunus—dedicated to

Portunus (god of harbours).

Temple of Portunus—style

Ionic.

Temple of Portunus—location

Rome, Forum Boarium (cattle market), near the River Tiber.

Temple of Portunus—materials

Tufa and limestone, with stucco to imitate marble.

Temple of Portunus—significance

One of the best-preserved Roman temples in Rome (after the Pantheon).

Roman priesthood—main job

Maintain correct ritual to secure pax deorum (not preaching morals like modern religious leaders).

Pontifex

A Roman priest responsible for protecting temples, regulating religious law, and overseeing the calendar.

Pontifices

Most important priestly college (numbers varied; commonly listed around fifteen in some periods).

Pontifex Maximus

Head of the pontifices; powerful position (later held by emperors).

Why the calendar mattered

Control of festival days and “when things could happen” gave priests political influence.

Augur

Roman priest who “takes the auspices” (reads signs like birds/thunder to learn the gods’ will).

Auspices

Signs (often birds/thunder/animals) interpreted to guide decisions (war, business, marriage, etc.).

Lituus

Staff used by a Roman augur (curved shape).

Vestal Virgins

College of six priestesses serving Vesta (goddess of the hearth); prestigious role in Rome.

Vesta

Roman goddess of the hearth/home; central to Roman ideas of safety and continuity.

House of the Vestals

The Vestals’ residence in the Roman Forum (major political/social centre).

Vestal selection

New Vestals were selected by the Pontifex Maximus from eligible girls.

Roman sacrifice—mola salsa

Salted flour mixture used in Roman ritual (sprinkled during sacrifice).

Popa

Roman official at sacrifice who struck/stunned the animal with a wooden rod.

Cultrarius

Roman official at sacrifice who cut the throat of the sacrificial animal.

Haruspex

Diviner who read signs from animal entrails (Etruscan influence; used in Roman ritual).

Suovetaurilia

A major Roman purification sacrifice of a pig, sheep, and bull.

Suovetaurilia—when used

Used for purification (e.g., before important acts/land/buildings); animals led in procession, then sacrificed.

COMPARE: Greek vs Roman temple approach

Greek: low steps all around, worship at outdoor altar; Roman: front-facing podium + deep porch, strong “approach from the front.”

COMPARE: columns

Greek often has free-standing columns all around; Roman often has free-standing front columns + semi-engaged side/rear columns.

6-mark PEE (Greece)—Point

Greek temples were primarily houses for the god’s cult statue, not places for large indoor worship.

6-mark PEE (Greece)—Evidence

Sacrifice and communal rituals took place at the altar outside the temple, with the temple protecting the cult statue inside.

6-mark PEE (Greece)—Explain

This shows Greek worship focused on public ritual in sacred space rather than indoor congregation.

6-mark PEE (Rome)—Point

Roman religion aimed to maintain pax deorum through correct ritual, giving priests real political influence.

6-mark PEE (Rome)—Evidence

Pontifices (led by the Pontifex Maximus) regulated religious law and the calendar, affecting public life and decision-making.

6-mark PEE (Rome)—Explain

Because politics and religion were linked, controlling ritual timing and rules increased priestly power in Rome.

sanctuary

An area of holy land dedicated to a god (or gods) that contains a temple and altar.

pollution (Greek religion)

A state of ritual impurity (e.g., contact with death/birth/serious wrongdoing) that could anger the gods; removed by washing/cleansing.

The sanctuary (Greece)

A holy area usually separated from the city; could contain multiple temples/altars and a water source for purification.

water source (sanctuary)

Used so people can wash hands/feet and remove pollution before worship.

function of a Greek temple

A “house of the god” that houses/protects the cult statue; most people stayed outside.

Greek altar

The most important part for public worship; sacrifices and offerings to the god took place here.

Greek sacrifice (purpose)

To honour the gods, ask for favour, and maintain good relations with them.

altar vs temple (Greece)

Altar = worship and sacrifice; temple = houses the cult statue (not the main place for crowds).

temple orientation

Greek temples were usually oriented east–west (entrance commonly faces east).

TEMPLE BUILDING (Greek)

Greek temples often followed a rectangular plan with columns and a central cella/naos.

steps (Greek temple)

A Greek temple typically sits on steps (often accessible from all sides).

colonnade

An open-air covered walkway supported by columns running around the temple.

cella (Latin term)

Main room of a temple containing the cult statue (Greek: naos).

naos (Greek term)

The main inner room containing the cult statue (Latin: cella).