Callicrates Explained

Callicrates or Kallikrates (; Greek, Modern (1453-);: Καλλικράτης in Greek, Modern (1453-); pronounced as /Kaliˈkratis/) was an ancient Greek architect active in the middle of the fifth century BC. He and Ictinus were architects of the Parthenon (Plutarch, Pericles, 13).^[1] An inscription identifies him as the architect of "the Temple of Nike" on the Acropolis of Athens (IG I³ 35). The temple in question is either the amphiprostyle Temple of Athena Nike now visible on the site^[2] or a small-scale predecessor (naiskos) whose remains were found in the later temple's foundations.^[3]

An inscription identifies Callicrates as one of the architects of the Classical circuit wall of the Acropolis (IG I³ 45), and Plutarch further states (loc. cit.) that he was contracted to build the middle of three defensive walls linking Athens and Piraeus.

A crater on the planet Mercury was named in his honor.^[4]

Sources

• Plutarch, Pericles 13

Notes and References

1. Book: Roth, Leland M. . 1993 . Understanding Architecture: Its Elements, History and Meaning . First . Westview Press . Boulder, CO . 0-06-430158-3 . 203 .
2. Book: Roth, Leland M. . 1993 . Understanding Architecture: Its Elements, History and Meaning . First . Westview Press . Boulder, CO . 0-06-430158-3 . 200 .
3. Book: Mark, Ira S. . 1993 . The Sanctuary of Athena Nike in Athens: Architectural Stages and Chronology . Princeton.
4. Web site: Callicrates . . Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature . 10 March 2022.