The Temple of Athena Polias (Athena, Protector of the City) is one of the most significant religious and architectural monuments of the ancient city of Priene, located in Asia Minor. This temple was an important center of the cult of the goddess Athena and embodied the power and cultural grandeur of the city.
Priene, founded by Ionian Greeks in the 11th century BCE, reached its peak during the Hellenistic period. The Temple of Athena Polias was built in the 4th century BCE, likely between 350 and 330 BCE, during the reign of Alexander the Great. According to historical accounts, Alexander provided funds for the temple’s completion, underscoring its importance.
The sanctuary’s architect was Pytheos, who was also known for his work in Halicarnassus (the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus—one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World). The temple was constructed in the Ionic order and is considered a masterpiece of classical Greek architecture.
Religious Significance of the Temple of Athena Polias
Athena Polias (Πολιάς) was an epithet of the goddess Athena as the protector of the city. In Priene, she was worshipped as the guardian of the polis, bestowing wisdom, military strength, and prosperity.
The temple was not only a religious center but also a place where the city’s treasury and important documents were kept. Grand ceremonies, including the Panathenaic Games—festivities in honor of the goddess—were held here.
Architectural Features of the Temple of Athena Polias
The Temple of Athena Polias was a peripteros (surrounded by a colonnade) measuring approximately 19.5 × 37.2 meters, with 6 × 11 columns. Inside stood a statue of the goddess, likely made of gold and ivory (chryselephantine technique).
A distinctive feature of the temple was its location on a terrace overlooking the valley of the Maeander River, enhancing its grandeur. Nearby stood an altar and a treasury.
Decline and Destruction
Priene, like many ancient cities of Asia Minor, declined during the Roman and Byzantine periods due to shifting trade routes and earthquakes. The Temple of Athena Polias was partially destroyed, likely in late antiquity or the early Middle Ages.
Final abandonment came after Arab raids in the 7th–8th centuries and the gradual settlement of the region by the Turks.
Current State of the Temple of Athena Polias
Today, the ruins of the Temple of Athena Polias are part of the archaeological site of Priene, located near the modern town of Söke, Turkey. Visitors can now see:
• Foundation and partial columns—the base and several columns, restored by archaeologists.
• Ionic capitals—some decorative elements lying on the ground.
• Altar platform—remains of the sacrificial altar in front of the temple.
• Inscriptions and reliefs—fragments with dedications to Athena.
The temple was partially reconstructed by German archaeologists in the 19th–20th centuries, allowing us to appreciate its original scale.
The Temple of Athena Polias in Priene is an outstanding monument of Hellenistic architecture, reflecting the religious and cultural life of the ancient city. Despite its ruins, it remains an important site for the study of ancient architecture and attracts tourists interested in the history of Ancient Greece.
