You will see many sculptures and cult imagery made from different materials when you visit ancient temples. The first cult images were made of wood. Later, they were made out of stone and cast bronze. The best cult pictures were made from crystelephantine which is a combination of gold and ivory. One such statue was that of Zeus, which was considered one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
Parthenon
The Parthenon, one the most well-known and famous ancient temples of the world, is a magnificent example of architecture. Although it appears that the building's lines are long and horizontal, the designers designed them to curve them. The entire structure appears more dynamic because the vertical columns are thicker in their middle. Parthenon's architects also included many hidden devices such as curved column, which enhances the overall appearance of the structure.
There are many architectural details in the Parthenon. Friezes depicting battles or gods decorate the temple's outer wall. The friezes also depict a child holding a folded cloth and two girls carrying something.
Heraion
The Heraion temple, an ancient sanctuary in Samos (Greece), is dedicated to the goddess Hera. The site is about six kilometers southwest of Samos Ancient City. It was a popular spot for worship in early Hellenistic times. This temple was one the earliest freestanding Ionic giant temples. It was designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1992.
Samos has long been a favorite destination for tourists to the site. A sustained campaign of excavations started here in 1925. The Second World War saw work interrupted, but was resumed in 1952. Ernst Buschor and Ernst Homann Wedeking were the excavation's leaders, who continued their work into the 1960s. These excavations provided a chronology for the site and revealed a range of votive objects that date back to the 8th-century.
Athena Nike temple
The Athena Nike temple is dedicated the goddesses Athena Nike and is one among the oldest temples on Acropolis. It was constructed around 420 BC. It is the oldest fully Ionic temple. It is adorned with columns and marble columns that are beautiful and intricately carved.
The temple is located on the Acropolis bastion. It is a fine example Greek architecture. It was constructed in the Ionic style, with four monolithic columns to the east and the west. Athena Nike, a goddess of victory, was worshipped here. A wooden Athena Nike cult statue was also found in the temple. It held a helmet and a pomegranate branch in one hand.
Hatshepsut mortuary temple
The Hatshepsut funeral temple is a stunning example of Egyptian architecture. This structure is located in Luxor Egypt. It was constructed during the reign Pharaoh Hatshepsut. It is still considered a masterpiece in ancient architecture.
It is very similar to the Mentuhotep I temple, but it was built more elaborately. It is made up of three layers and has Proto Doric column. It was also surrounded with gardens.