Πρόσταση των Κορών (Prostasis ton Koron)
Erechtheion, Acropolis of Athens — 421–406 BCE
The six maidens of the Porch of the Caryatids appear almost identical at first glance, yet each is distinct. Individually carved, they display subtle variations in facial features, braided hairstyles, stance, and the treatment of their garments. Arranged in mirrored groups of three, the figures alternate their weight-bearing legs, creating a carefully balanced rhythm across the façade while uniting sculpture and architecture in a single design.
These differences are not merely decorative. The thick masses of braided hair help reinforce the neck, a structurally vulnerable area of the marble figure, while the deeply carved vertical folds falling over the supporting leg recall the fluting of an Ionic column. The contrast between the rigid, weight-bearing leg and the relaxed leg introduces movement and grace, animating forms that also serve as structural supports.
The Porch of the Caryatids forms the south portico of the Erechtheion on the Acropolis of Athens. Built between 421 and 406 BCE, the temple was designed to accommodate several distinct cults on uneven ground, resulting in its characteristic asymmetrical plan. In place of conventional columns, six sculpted korai ("maidens") support the entablature above.
The term Caryatid does not appear in the building’s original inscriptions, which refer to the figures simply as korai. Centuries later, the Roman architect Vitruvius recorded a tradition linking the name to Karyai in Laconia and its women, while other interpretations associate the figures with young women participating in festivals of Artemis Karyatis. The historical origin of the term remains uncertain.
The figures standing on the Acropolis today are replicas installed to protect the originals from weathering and atmospheric pollution. Five of the original Caryatids are preserved in the Acropolis Museum in Athens, while the sixth, removed by Lord Elgin in the early nineteenth century, is now housed in the British Museum in London.
Acropolis of Athens, Athens, Greece
Camera: Canon EOS R7
Lens: TAMRON SP 28-75mm F/2.8 Di A09E
Capture Information:
Focal Length: 66.0 mm
Shutter Speed: 1/1000
Aperture: f/7.1
ISO: 200
Photo Taken: May 19, 2026
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