The wrong name for centuries?

Parthenon vs Hekatompedon

New information by Dr van Rookhuijzen from Utrecht University, published in American Journal of Archaeology and the National Geographic Magazine, Dutch edition, 2019, argues that her research shows that in ancient writings, the central structure on the Acropolis was known by the name Hekatompedon. The large, ancient temple commonly referred to in the modern era as The Parthenon (translation: "house of virgins") actually applies in ancient writings to the Erechtheion. The far larger, central building on the acropolis mount dedicated to the cult of Athena was essentially known as "the hundred-foot temple," i.e., Hekatompedon.

Dutch scholars claim that the name “Parthenon” – popularized in the Roman period - originally belonged to an entirely different building - UK Telegraph

This June 12, 2024 article at The Conversation discusses that recently discovered shepherd graffiti from the 6th century BC suggests that there was an earlier "Parthenon" building on the Acropolis mount prior to the existing building one put up by Pericles beginning in 447 BC.

Related, July 2024: "Mikon’s Hekatompedon: An Architectural Graffito from Attica" – ajaonline.org

Related: www.hekatompedon.com

The Acropolis

The Acropolis and the Parthenon pediments

The Acropolis Museum

Mountains of Greece

Advertisement: I am an Amazon affiliate

Greece Travel 2025 – Amazon

Page Dec 2019 | Updated April 2021