Final answer:
The principal chamber of a classical temple that contained the cult statue and served as the central worship space is called the naos. It is distinct from the pronaos or entrance porch and other parts of a classical temple.
Step-by-step explanation:
The principal chamber or enclosed part of a classical temple, where the cult image was kept, is known as the naos. In Greek worship, the temple served as the home of a god, and the naos was the central room housing the cult statue. This sacred space was integral to the religious practice, as it was here that the deity was believed to dwell. Temples were designed with a basic rectangular plan, and the naos was a fundamental component of this layout. The naos is distinct from other parts of the temple such as the pronaos, which is the porch or vestibule preceding the naos, or the opisthodomos, which is a rear room sometimes serving as a treasury.
For example, the Temple of Athena Nike is an Ionic temple that has a single naos for the cult statue, distinctly illustrating the importance of this space.