The Doric hexastyle peripteros (6 x 14) temple was built to replace the Temple of Hera I, and is placed directly to the north of the other. The inner structure comprises a pronaos with 2 columns in antis; 3 steps lead to the naos, which is raised 1.4 m. above the pronaos. On either side of the entrance to the naos are 2 stairways leading to the roof. The naos is divided into 3 isles by 2 rows of 7 columns. The problem of the metopes is solved by a single and double contraction of the angle columns, combined with an extremely subtle shifting over the whole length of the frieze. The temple was never decorated with sculpture. Although some ascribe the temple to Poseidon, other sources now identify the temple as an Heraion.

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The Greek settlers called the city Poseidonia in honor of the Greek sea God Poseidon. It was, at that time, separated from the sea by a shallow fresh water lagoon and could be reached only by small ships. Hera became the predominant divinity of Poseidonia, rather than Poseidon.