Temple of Purphoros Polymetis
Away from the rest of the temples and surrounded by the
forges of the city is the vaulted entrance to the temple of Purphoros Polymetis, the one of the many techniques.
Attached to a hill, the temple reveals only the outer tholos, as it goes deep into the earth, where multiple forges are set up, and only the priests of the god are allowed to work in the deep inner heat of the mountain. The outer dome and the columns supporting it are made of a reddish bronze, constantly heated, and with drawings worked into the metal depicting the creation of the weapons of the gods by Purphoros, with the figure of the god’s torso above its entrance, holding Akmon in his right hand. Areas of the structure still appear to be of molten metal and shine brightly over the entire blacksmiths’ square surrounding the temple.
Inside are displayed several magnificently carved bronze warrior figures, said to come to life to protect the temple. In the background and on the same rock of the mountain, a sculpture of Purphoros emerges from the stone forming around it a pool of molten metal. On the sides, two entrances in the same stone, from which constant clicks and hammer blows emerge, go deep into the mountain. Priests reside and work here.
Their creations, from jewelry or weapons to machines, are exhibited in the temple protected by the sculptures for a year, after which they are melted in the pool in a rite that represents the constant creation and destruction of which Purphoros is the effigy. During the festivities of the god, the square around it hosts his rites, among which is to save from destruction one of the works exhibited by the priests. This work becomes the property of the city and is considered the work of the god himself. Also the priests give small jewels and weapons to people of worth or to those that the oracle of the flames of the god has fixed. Following this tradition, the craftsmen also give pieces of their creation and choose their apprentices, establishing their bond of master and pupil in those days in front of the statue of the god.
Attached to a hill, the temple reveals only the outer tholos, as it goes deep into the earth, where multiple forges are set up, and only the priests of the god are allowed to work in the deep inner heat of the mountain. The outer dome and the columns supporting it are made of a reddish bronze, constantly heated, and with drawings worked into the metal depicting the creation of the weapons of the gods by Purphoros, with the figure of the god’s torso above its entrance, holding Akmon in his right hand. Areas of the structure still appear to be of molten metal and shine brightly over the entire blacksmiths’ square surrounding the temple.
Inside are displayed several magnificently carved bronze warrior figures, said to come to life to protect the temple. In the background and on the same rock of the mountain, a sculpture of Purphoros emerges from the stone forming around it a pool of molten metal. On the sides, two entrances in the same stone, from which constant clicks and hammer blows emerge, go deep into the mountain. Priests reside and work here.
Their creations, from jewelry or weapons to machines, are exhibited in the temple protected by the sculptures for a year, after which they are melted in the pool in a rite that represents the constant creation and destruction of which Purphoros is the effigy. During the festivities of the god, the square around it hosts his rites, among which is to save from destruction one of the works exhibited by the priests. This work becomes the property of the city and is considered the work of the god himself. Also the priests give small jewels and weapons to people of worth or to those that the oracle of the flames of the god has fixed. Following this tradition, the craftsmen also give pieces of their creation and choose their apprentices, establishing their bond of master and pupil in those days in front of the statue of the god.
Type
Cathedral / Great temple
Parent Location
Comments