1. Erechtheion

2. The Erechtheion or Erechtheum, is an ancient Greek temple on the north side of the Acropolis of Athens in Greece which was dedicated to both Athena and Poseidon. Greek temple AcropolisAthensGreeceAthenaPoseidon

3. The temple as seen today was built between 421 and 406 BC. Its architect may have been Mnesicles, and it derived its name from a shrine dedicated to the legendary Greek hero Erichthonius. The sculptor and mason of the structure was Phidias, who was employed by Pericles to build both the Erechtheum and the Parthenon.architect MnesiclesGreek hero ErichthoniusPhidias Pericles Parthenon

4. On the north side, there is another large porch with six Ionic columns, and on the south, the famous "Porch of the Maidens", with six draped female figures (caryatids) as supporting columns.caryatids

5. In 1801 one of the caryatids and the north column of the east porch together with the overlying section of the entablature were removed by Lord Elgin in order to decorate his Scottish mansion, and were later sold to the British Museum.Athenian legend had it that at night the remaining five Caryatids could be heard wailing for their lost sister. Elgin attempted to remove a second Caryatid; when technical difficulties arose, he tried to have it sawn to pieces.Lord Elgin British Museum

7. Melina Mercouri was the first woman who asked him to return the Parthenon marbles saying the following: You need to understand what they mean for our marbles. It is our pride, are our sacrifices. It is the essence of Hellenism. We are prepared to say that we rule the entire act of Elgin as irrelevant at the moment. We say to the British Government. Keep these sculptures for almost two centuries. Look after them as best we could, for which we thank you. But now in the name of fairness and morality, please give back. I sincerely believe that such a gesture on the part of Great Britain will always honor its name.

8. Thank you for your attention! Theodoros Printezis Class B3 ENGLISH LESSON B CLASS ADVANCED