The Erechtheion

a.k.a.

The Temple of Athena and Poseidon

The Erechtheion

As mythology has it these two had quite the tiff over who was to be the patron of Athens and who's name the city should bear. It was decided that each would give a gift and the one presenting the most valuable gift would become the city's patron.

Statue of Poseidon from the National Archeological Museum of Athens Replica of Athena's statue from the Parthenon

Poseidon struck the rock of The Acropolis with his triton and a saline spring gushed forth. Athena won the gift giving contest after she stomped her foot on the ground, and the world's first olive tree sprang up.

The mythical king Erechtheus, later associated with Poseidon, was originally worshiped here but it was commonly referred to among ancient Greeks as the old temple of Athena Polias. Maxine with The Erechtheion in the background

Maxine and Liesl at The Erechtheion Being the strong willed women we are, we had to have our pictures taken at the temple, even if we were dwarfed by it!

According to tradition this is the same olive tree given by Athena to win the contest. Liesl and the Olive Tree


Poseidon struck the rock of The Acropolis with his triton and a saline spring gushed forth.	Athena won the gift giving contest after she stomped her foot on the ground, and the world's first olive tree sprang up.
The mythical king Erechtheus, later associated with Poseidon, was originally worshiped here but it was commonly referred to among ancient Greeks as the old temple of Athena Polias.
	Being the strong willed women we are, we had to have our pictures taken at the temple, even if we were dwarfed by it!
According to tradition this is the same olive tree given by Athena to win the contest.