Temple of Hephaestus, Athens (c. 449–415 BCE)

1. Periclean rebuilding program expands in Athens

   Jan 1, 450 BCELabels: Pericles, Athens Agora, Periclean Program

   • Britannica
   • Parthenon

2. Construction begins on the Hephaisteion

   Jan 1, 449 BCELabels: Hephaisteion, Agoraios Kolonos, Classical Athens

   • Hephaestus
   • Athens Attica

3. Temple is dedicated to Hephaestus and Athena Ergane

   Jan 1, 449 BCELabels: Hephaestus, Athena Ergane, Agora

   • Athens Attica

4. Doric peripteral design takes shape

   Jan 1, 445 BCELabels: Doric Order, Peripteral Temple, Pentelic Marble

   • Hephaestus
   • Athens Attica

5. Sculptural program highlights heroic labors

   Jan 1, 435 BCELabels: Metope Sculptures, Heracles, Theseus

   • Athens Attica
   • Athenian

6. Work slows as the Peloponnesian War begins

   Jan 1, 431 BCELabels: Peloponnesian War, Athens

   • Britannica
   • Athens Attica

7. Peace of Nicias enables renewed building

   Jan 1, 421 BCELabels: Peace of, Athens

   • Britannica
   • Athens Attica

8. Bronze cult statues installed inside the temple

   Jan 1, 415 BCELabels: Bronze Cult, Alkamenes

   • Athens Attica
   • Hephaestus

9. Temple reaches completion by about 415 BCE

   Jan 1, 415 BCELabels: Hephaisteion, Classical Completion

   • Hephaestus
   • Athens Attica

10. Temple is converted into a Christian church

    Jan 1, 700Labels: Saint George, Byzantine Church

    • Athens Attica
    • Hephaestus

11. Christian alterations damage some ancient sculptures

    Jan 1, 700Labels: Christian Alterations, Metope Damage

    • Athens Attica

12. Building stays in church use into modern era

    Jan 1, 1833Labels: Church Use, Modern Athens

    • Athens Attica
    • Hephaestus

13. Service for King Otto held at the site

    Jan 1, 1834Labels: King Otto, Royal Service

    • Athens Attica

14. Athenian Agora excavations begin under ASCSA

    Jan 1, 1931Labels: ASCSA Excavations, Athenian Agora

    • Agora
    • ASCSA

15. Temple interior excavations and modern presentation

    Jan 1, 1950Labels: Conservation, Archaeological Park

    • Athens Attica
    • Agora