Bassae

Bassae is an ancient Greek temple dedicated to Apollo Epikourios, located at Bassae in Arcadia, Greece. It was built in the late Classical period, commonly dated to around 430–420 BCE, and is often attributed to the architect Iktinos, who is also associated with the Parthenon. The design is notable for its hybrid architectural order: the exterior is Doric, while the interior features Ionic elements and an internal frieze, making it a rare example of a temple that blends orders within a single building. The temple stands on a stepped podium and originally had a peristyle of columns surrounding a rectangular cella. The floor plan is influenced by the rugged site, resulting in an asymmetry that is unusual for classical temples.

The sculptural program associated with Bassae is among the most important from ancient Greece. The temple housed a celebrated frieze, known as the Bassae Frieze, and other sculptural decorations; the sculptors remain anonymous, but the work is valued for its high level of naturalism and for its link to the evolving Greek artistic style. The temple also contained a cult statue of Apollo Epikourios within the cella.

Rediscovered by European travelers in the 18th century, Bassae became the subject of early architectural study by James Stuart and Nicholas Revett, whose drawings helped influence Neoclassical architecture. The site has undergone preservation work in the 19th and 20th centuries to stabilize the structure, which remains a major archaeological and tourist site in the Peloponnese. The Bassae temple is regarded as a key example of Classical Greek temple design and a milestone in the history of architecture.