Hephaestus Temple Colouring

The Temple of Hephaestus stands on a low hill at the western side of the Ancient Agora in Athens, Greece. Begun before the middle of the fifth century BCE, it is one of the best-preserved ancient Greek temples. It honoured Hephaestus, god of metalworking and fire, and Athena Ergane, a protector of crafts. That pairing suited the neighbourhood because archaeologists found evidence of metalworkers and potters around the Agora. The marble temple is peripteral, meaning a colonnade surrounds all four sides. Thirty-four Doric columns form its outer ring. Inside were a front porch, a main room called the cella and a back porch. Bronze cult statues of Hephaestus and Athena, made by the sculptor Alkamenes, were installed in the later fifth century BCE. The building survived in unusually complete form partly because its purpose changed. Between the sixth and seventh centuries CE it became a Christian church, and it continued to be used across medieval and later periods. In the nineteenth century it briefly housed antiquities before systematic archaeological work and restoration helped present it as an ancient monument. The exact design process involved many craftspeople, so it is better not to credit every feature to one person. This picture shows the intact roof, triangular pediment and strong rows of Doric columns. Start with warm white, pale cream or very light grey for the marble. Use soft blue-grey beneath the roof and between columns, keeping shadows light. The terracotta roof tiles may be muted orange or red-brown, while the sky can be clear blue. Colour the olive trees with silver-green leaves, dark green inner branches and warm grey-brown trunks. The pots may be clay orange, tan or red with simple black or white bands. Use charcoal grey, bronze or brown on the little anvil and hammer. Long vertical pencil strokes make the fluted columns look tall; short diagonal strokes suit the roof tiles. Leave white highlights along the column edges and steps. You can add tiny red and blue details to the architectural bands, since Greek temples once displayed colour. Keep the complete temple bright and orderly so it looks clearly different from the more damaged Parthenon.

◫ A4 size✎ Bold outlines♡ Ages 3–8

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Make it an activity

Choose a favourite colour palette
Add a simple background
Display the finished artwork

Grown-up note: Please supervise printing and choose age-appropriate art materials.