Temple of Athena Polias

The Temple of Athena Polias was located in the ancient Greek city of Priene, in Ionia. This temple, a prime example of the pure Ionic style, was built by Pythius, who is also believed to have been the architect of the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus. The temple was dedicated by Alexander the Great in 334 BC. Priene itself is renowned for its well-preserved remains, showcasing an exemplary grid plan for ancient Greek town planning, with streets laid out in a precise pattern. The city's layout included areas for private homes, an agora, a theater, and the significant Temple of Athena Polias situated on a terrace rising towards a hill. Athena, the goddess to whom the temple was dedicated, was the protector of cities, the goddess of war, and handicraft.12