Plate 6. The Temple on the Island of Ægina

In the whole appearance of the Temple on the island of Ægina, we first discover the vivacious freshness and energy indicated. It was, in all probability, built after the victory over the Persians and dedicated to Athene. It is of the Peripteral Hypæthral class, with 6 columns under each pediment and 12 on each side, including the end ones. The cella or interior space was divided into three parts by two rows of 5 columns each, the central portion of which was without a roof, as was also the case in the great Temple at Pæstum and others.

Besides this arrangement of the cella, the plan is somewhat similar to that of the Temple of Nemesis, plate 9, although both porticos of the Temple of Ægina have a comparatively narrow depth, as does also the opisthodome of the Temple of Nemesis. The shafts of the columns of the pteroma are not perpendicular but are inclined about 1-30 of the diameter towards the cella.

The shafts of the columns have a swelling or entasis equal to 1/80 of the lower diameter. The beautiful proportions of the columns and also the expression of solidity in the capitals, give us an idea of the high state of development of the Doric order, even at so early a date. This is not the case in the same degree, in the Temple at Pæstum, and still less, in the older Temple at Corinth, where the columns are very heavy and the profiles of the capitals project quite prominently, while the capital, in our example, is one which, from the channels out, show a pleasing outline.

The bands or sinkages under the echinus are here, for the first time, shown in that delicate development as is found mostly on the monuments of the Periclian age, whereby, as an individual fineness, the addition of the neck mould is noticed. A steeply drawn projection at the upper part of the shaft leads to the arrangement of the bands as is shown on the detail drawing of our plate. The neck mould or sinkages, of which there are three in number, remind us of the ancient forms at Corinth and Pæstum, while other later examples, in nearly all instances, show only one sinkage. The main cornice of the Temple on Ægina has a greater height than many of the later monuments; considering its construction and membership it indicates the same beautiful development. The cyma over the pediment cornice is of very beautiful profile, and is enriched with that ornamentation' which the Greeks called Anthemion. The ornament shown was probably repeated on the lower half in an inverted position. The elevation of this cyma is shown beside the section to a larger scale. The arrangement of the pediment end was similar to that of the Propylæ at Eleusis, which is shown on plate 12. On the triangular shaped pieces over the cornice, at one time, were winged griffins which are shown according to our conception as indicated by the discovered fragments. Of the akroter on the pediment apex more remains; between two female figures, of ancient style, carrying pomegranate blossoms in one hand, was a lyre like ornament, which was held by a lion headed griffin behind same. This composition, as well as the figures at the ends and the cyma, were of marble and partly colored.

The remaining parts of the Temple, such as columns, cornices and walls were of a yellowish sandstone and covered on the surfaces with a white stucco which was painted. On the architrave was found traces of yellow and green foliated ornaments. The tænia had a red color; the regula was blue, as were also the triglyphs with the bands over the metopes, and the mutules. The corona with its lower members was red. Traces of applied ornament were found on the vertical surface of the corona. The cymatium over was ornamented with alternating red and blue leafwork. Similar in color, also, were the flowers on the cyma. The whole face of the tympanum was blue. The cella walls indicate a dark red color as does also the floor.

In both tympani were once placed marble statues, the remains of which are now preserved at Munich. On these sculptures are also traces of painting.