Financial accounts for the construction of the Erechtheion

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Provision of image

Inventory number

ΕΜ 6667 δ

Artist

Attic workshop

Category

Inscription

Period

Classical Period

Date

408/7 BC

Dimensions

Height: 0.96 m
Length: 0.44 m
Width: 0.1 m

Material

Marble

Location

First Floor, West

Description
Bibliography

Part of an inscription that includes the Erechtheion 408/7 BC accounts. It was found in 1836 during the Propylaia excavations. The whole inscription is divided into many fragments on different steles with two of these housed today in the Acropolis Museum.

Fragment XVII preserves the last part of the seventh prytaneia epistates account as well as the eighth prytaneia of the Pandionis tribe account. In the beginning mentioned are the figures which were carved along the north side of the temple’s frieze. The text is cut into stone stoichedon in the Attic alphabet and includes information about the stage of the work completion, its funding means and tasks assignment. It also preserves the names of the sculptors, Athenian citizens and metics as well as the manner of their payment. It also records the wages of those who undertook the fluting of the temple columns, many of whom were slaves and they are recognized by their master’s nane.This is followed by the expenses account which is incomplete and the cost for material acquirement.

The accounts that refer to the Erechtheion construction particularly those which date between 409/8 and 405/4 BC are of exceptionally interest as they form a precious source of evidence about ancient technology. The construction of the Erechtheion, the elegant and unique Ionic building that housed the age-old xoanon of Athena as well as some of the most venerated cults on the sacred rock, began in 421 BC after the Peace of Nicias. The work was interrupted due to Athenians’ shattering defeat during the Sicilian Expedition (413 BC) and were resumed in 409/8 BC after the Citizens Assembly assigned with a decree to a five-member council the inspection of the state in which the half-finished building was. The financial accounts were supervised by the epistates who were officials elected by vote instead of lot and oversaw public works. They were supported by an architect and their own secretary.

Attic Inscriptions Online, https://www.atticinscriptions.com, αρ.κατ. IG I3 476
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