The Temple of Apollo Epicurius, Bassae, Greece

A smaller version of the Parthenon at Athens, this temple was virtually unknown in modern times before being discovered in 1765

Although it was built during the 5th century BC, the Temple of Apollo Epicurius near Bassae in western Greece was virtually unknown until 1765 when a French architect happened upon it when he was in the area building villas — he had the misfortune to be murdered by bandits when he went back for a second look.

The temple has features in common with those of the much more famous Parthenon at Athens, and they may even have been designed by the same architect. However, the Temple of Apollo Epicurius is much smaller, measuring around 38 by 14.5 metres, and it is in a remote location high up a mountain slope, which is why it was virtually lost for many centuries, with only a handful of references being made to it by ancient writers.

The temple’s dedication to Apollo Epicurius — “Apollo the Healer” — was due to the gratitude of local people who escaped the worst ravages of a plague after praying and sacrificing to the god.

The temple is notable for several features, not least the fact that it includes features of all three classical orders of architecture — Ionic, Doric and Corinthian…