Erechtheum, Acropolis, Athens, Greece, 421-407 BCE

This piece of architecture was created as part of a temple complex that included the Parthenon. The Greeks created their architecture with specific intent. Temples like this one were devoted to glorifying the gods and to thank them for their victory over the Persians at the Battle of Salamis in September of 480 BCE. This temple, built in the Ionic style was created in honor of the mythological Greek hero Erechtonius, who was reputed to have been raised by the goddess Athena, patron goddess of Athens.