December 11, 2007

Pandroseion

The Pandroseion was a sanctuary dedicated to Pandrosus, one of the daughters of Cecrops I, the first king of Athens, located on the Acropolis of Athens. It occupied the space adjacent to the Erechtheum and the old Temple of Athena Nike.

The sanctuary was a walled rectangular courtyard containing the altar of Zeus Herkeios (protector of the hearth). The south-east corner gave access to the tomb of Cecrops. The sanctuary also contained the sacred olive tree which was presented by Athena to the city of Athens, after her victory over Poseidon in the contest for the land of Attica.

Reconstruction of the Pandroseion as it would have looked around 421 BC
Reconstruction of the Pandroseion as it would have looked around 421 BC

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