# Ictinus

> mid-5th-century BC Athenian architect

**Wikidata**: [Q311502](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q311502)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ictinus)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/ictinus

## Summary
Ictinus was a mid-5th-century BC Athenian architect and a member of the human species, renowned for designing some of the most significant structures in Classical Athens. His primary achievements include the design of the Parthenon, the former temple of Athena on the Athenian Acropolis, and the Temple of Apollo Epicurius in Bassae. He is historically identified by the aliases Iktinos and Ictinos.

## Biography
- Born: Mid-5th century BC (specific date not provided in source material)
- Nationality: Athenian (associated with Classical Athens, Greece)
- Education: Not specified in source material
- Known for: Designing the Parthenon and the Temple of Apollo Epicurius in Bassae
- Employer(s): Not specified in source material (affiliated with Classical Athens)
- Field(s): Architecture

## Contributions
- **Parthenon**: Designed the former temple of Athena located on the Athenian Acropolis in Greece. Construction inception is dated to approximately -0500 BC.
- **Temple of Apollo Epicurius in Bassae**: Designed this ancient temple located in the Peloponnese region of Greece. Construction inception is dated to approximately -0420 BC.

## FAQs
**Who was Ictinus and what was his profession?**
Ictinus was a human and a professional architect active in the mid-5th century BC. He is specifically identified as an Athenian architect trained to plan and design buildings.

**Which famous temples did Ictinus design?**
He is credited with the design of the Parthenon on the Athenian Acropolis and the Temple of Apollo Epicurius in Bassae. These structures represent his major architectural output in ancient Greece.

**Are there other entities named after Ictinus?**
Yes, there is a crater on the planet Mercury named "Ictinus" in his honor. This astronomical feature shares the name with the historical architect.

## Why They Matter
Ictinus's work fundamentally shaped the architectural landscape of Classical Athens and the broader Greek world. By designing the Parthenon, he created a defining symbol of the Athenian Acropolis that remains a cornerstone of Western architectural history. His contribution to the Temple of Apollo Epicurius in Bassae further demonstrates his influence across different regions of Greece, including the Peloponnese. Without his specific designs, the physical legacy of mid-5th-century BC Greece would lack two of its most iconic religious structures.

## Notable For
- Being a mid-5th-century BC Athenian architect.
- Designing the Parthenon, a former temple of Athena.
- Designing the Temple of Apollo Epicurius in Bassae.
- Holding the aliases Iktinos and Ictinos.
- Having a crater on Mercury named after him.
- Being associated with the city-state of Classical Athens.

## Body

### Identity and Origins
Ictinus was a human being, representing the unique extant species of the genus Homo. He lived during the mid-5th century BC and is identified as an Athenian architect. His nationality is tied to Classical Athens, a prominent city-state in ancient Greece. The historical record associates him with the country of Greece and the broader context of the region.

### Professional Role
His primary occupation was that of an architect, a person trained to plan and design buildings and oversee their construction. This role placed him at the center of the architectural developments in Classical Athens. He is listed with the Wikipedia title "Ictinus" and holds a sitelink count of 39 across various knowledge bases. His professional identity is further distinguished by the aliases Iktinos and Ictinos.

### Major Architectural Works
**The Parthenon**
Ictinus is the architect behind the Parthenon, a former temple dedicated to the goddess Athena. This structure is situated on the Athenian Acropolis in Greece. The inception of the Parthenon is recorded as -0500-00-00T00:00:00Z. This project is one of his most significant contributions, linking him directly to the cultural and religious heart of Athens.

**Temple of Apollo Epicurius in Bassae**
He also designed the Temple of Apollo Epicurius, an ancient temple located in the Peloponnese region of Greece. The inception date for this specific project is recorded as -0420-00-00T00:00:00Z. This work demonstrates his reach beyond Athens, extending his architectural influence to other parts of the country.

### Legacy and Eponyms
Beyond his physical constructions, Ictinus's name has been immortalized in astronomy. A crater on the planet Mercury bears the name "Ictinus." This celestial feature serves as a lasting tribute to the architect, distinct from his earthly works. The crater entry has a sitelink count of 7, indicating its recognition in astronomical databases.

### Historical Context
Ictinus operated within the specific timeframe of the mid-5th century BC, a period of significant cultural flourishing in Classical Athens. The city-state itself has an inception range noted between -0700 and -0508 BC. His work on the Parthenon and the Temple of Apollo Epicurius places him firmly within the timeline of ancient Greek architectural evolution. His contributions are documented with high connectivity, evidenced by the 131 sitelinks for the Parthenon and 27 for the Temple of Apollo Epicurius in Bassae.

## References

1. Virtual International Authority File
2. Faceted Application of Subject Terminology
3. archINFORM
4. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
5. Description of Greece
6. Treccani's Enciclopedia on line
7. Enciclopedia Treccani
8. [Source](https://www.archinform.net/service/wd_aiarch.php)
9. KBpedia