Temple of Apollo Epicurius

archaeological site, Bassae, Greece

Also known as: Temple of Apollo Epikourios

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June 18, 2026

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The Temple of Apollo Epikourios is an ancient Greek temple located in Bassae, Greece, built around 450–425 BCE. It is situated on the Neda River in southwestern Arcadia and was considered one of the finest temples in the Peloponnese by the geographer Pausanias. The temple is renowned for its exceptional preservation and was designated a World Heritage site in 1986.

The architect Ictinus, who also worked on the Parthenon in Athens, is credited with designing the Temple of Apollo Epikourios. This temple is notable for its innovative use of Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian architectural orders. A significant portion of its columns remain standing, and an Ionic frieze from the temple is housed in the British Museum in London.12

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Ictinus
The Temple of Apollo Epicurius at Bassae (in Arcadia, near Phigalia) was said to be modeled after the Temple of Athena Alea (by Scopas) at Tegea, the most beautiful temple in the Peloponnese, which incorporated the Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian orders in novel ways. Most of…
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The Temple of Apollo Epicurius at Bassae (in Arcadia, near Phigalia) was said to be modeled after the Temple of Athena Alea (by Scopas) at Tegea, the most beautiful temple in the Peloponnese, which incorporated the Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian orders in novel ways. Most of…
Read More

Bassae
…as the site of the Temple of Apollo Epikourios (Epicurius; “the Helper”), built c. 450–425 bce. Pausanias, a Greek geographer of the 2nd century ce, considered the temple one of the finest in the Peloponnese. It is also one of the best-preserved temples in Greece, and it was inscribed as…
Read More
…as the site of the Temple of Apollo Epikourios (Epicurius; “the Helper”), built c. 450–425 bce. Pausanias, a Greek geographer of the 2nd century ce, considered the temple one of the finest in the Peloponnese. It is also one of the best-preserved temples in Greece, and it was inscribed as…
Read More