SOUNION - TEMPLE OF POSEIDON

Finds pointed out that the site was inhabited in the prehistoric period without any evidence of religious practice. The Sanctuary of Sounion was first mentioned in the Odyssey. In the 7th century BC, an organized cult was established on two points of the promontory: at the southern edge was situated the temenos of Poseidon and in the NE of it was located the sanctuary of Athena. During the 6th century BC important votive offerings were dedicated. In the 5th century BC the Athenians started a huge construction of a temple in the temenos of Poseidon but the Persian invasion in 480 BC destroyed the project. During the following centuries, Cape Sounion was fortified and flourished together with the cults. So an important building project was undertaken at both sanctuaries. The declination of Sounion started in the 1st century BC. The monuments seen on the site are the following:

The Sanctuary of Poseidon: situated in the highest part of the promontory. The area was evened off and was supported by retaining walls. A Propylon together with a number of porticoes were built for the accommodation of the pilgrims visiting the sanctuary.

The Temple of Poseidon: it was built at the end of the archaic period to substitute the classical sanctuary. It was of Doric style with an external colonnade of 6 X 13 columns. Its construction was interrupted by the Persian invasion and remained unfinished. The following temple, seen today, was constructed in 450-440 BC in a similar way but without internal colonnade. The sculptural decoration of the temple is preserved in poor conditions, although some scenes can been detected nowadays.

The Propylon - The Porticoes: the Propylon was erected a little later than the classical temple on the north and south sides and was made of marble and poros while the porticoes was erected along the north and west sides of the sanctuary.

The Fortress: Cape Sounion was fortified in 412 BC in order to control and secure the ships carrying cereals to Athens. The Temple of Poseidon occupies the SE end of the fortress. Shipyards for the sheltering of two war ships were constructed on the coast. Excavations brought to light part of a central street, remains of houses and water cisterns.

The Sanctuary of Athens: situated on a hill of 500 m to the NE of the sanctuary of Poseidon. The area was enclosed with a polygonal circuit wall inside which was erected the Temple of Athena, another smaller temple and altars.

The Temple of Athena: some consider that it was built in the mid of the 5th century BC and others believe that it was built during the archaic period and repaired after the Persian destruction while the colonnade was added after the middle of the 5th century. It is a rectangular shaped measuring 16,40 X 11,60 m.

Small Temple: it is small, Doric temple measuring 5 X 6, 80 m situated to the north of Athena Temple. The pedestal of the cult statue was preserved inside. The date of the structure and the identity of the deity worshiped is a matter of debate.