ACROPOLIS OF ATHENS

The "Sacred Rock" is the name given to the place where the Acropolis was built. The ancient Greek civilization was represented in an ideal way on the hill and some of the architectural masterpieces were erected on its ground. Over the centuries, the rocky hill was continuously used either as a cult place or as a residential area or both. Inscriptions indicate that the cult to goddess Athena, patron of the city, dates back to the seventh century BC. During the classical period (450-330 BC), important temples were erected on the ruins of the earlier ones:

The Parthenon: built between 447 and 438 BC, it is the most important and characteristic monument of the ancient Greek civilization and its international symbol. Dedicated to Athena Parthenos, it was built in the Doric order and almost exclusively of Pentelic marble. The greatest parts of the sculptural decoration are exhibited in the British Museum since the beginning f the 19th Century.

The Erechtheion: was built in 420 BC in the Ionic order. It was a prostasis on the east side, a monumental propylon on the north and the famous porch of Caryatids on the south. The main temple was divided into two sections dedicated to the worship of the two principal gods of Attica: Athena and Poseidon-Erechtheus.

The Temple of Athena Nike: was built in Ionic order around 420 BC with a row of four columns in front of each of its narrow sides. Some parts of its walls depicts the conference of gods and scenes from battles. The Temple was dedicated to the Nikae (victories) of the goddess patron of the city.

The Propylaea: built between 437-432 BC, it was the monumental gateway to the Acropolis. It constitutes of a central building and two lateral wings most of them with rows of columns of Doric and Ionic orders.

AGORA OF ATHENS (ANCIENT AGORA)

It was used as a residential and burial area in the late Neolithic period (3000 BC) and became a public area in the sixth century BC. It reached its final rectangular form in the second century BC. The Agora was the heart of ancient Athens, the focus of political, commercial, administrative and social activity; the religious and cultural center and the seat of justice. The ancient Agora of Athens had suffered serious damages by the Persians (480/79 BC), Romans (89 BC) and by the Herulae (267 CE) and then gradually abandoned after the Slavic invasion (580 CE). The most important monuments of the Ancient Agora of Athens are:

The Temple of Hephaistos: built around 449 BC in a Doric order, crowning the hill of Kolonos Agoraios. It is known as the "Theseion" and was dedicated to the gods Hephaistos and Athena whose bronze cult statues stood in the interior.

Stoa of Zeus Eleutherios: the Stoa was erected at the end of the 5th century BC in honor of those who fought for the freedom and security of the city. Socrates is said to have met his friends in this Stoa.

Temple of Apollo Patroos: erected around 340-320 BC, it is a small Ionic temple dedicated to Apollo the Father (Pater). Inside stood the statue of the god made by the famous sculptor Euphranor.

Bouleuterion: the "Boule" was the Council of the 500 who held its regular meetings here. It was built at the end of the 5th century BC replacing the old Bouleuterion.

Metroon: built in the 2nd century BC with an Ionic propylon, it enclosed the sanctuary of the Mother of Gods and also the state archives and various official documents protected by the goddess.

Monument to the Eponymous Heroes: built in the second half of the 4th century BC, the remains of an oblong pedestal enclosed by a fence are still visible. It supported the bronze statues of the legendary heroes who gave their names to the ten tribes of Attica.

Altar of the twelve gods: erected in 522/21 BC, it was a fenced area with a altar at the center. The sanctuary was a popular place of asylum and was considered to be the heart of the city and the central milestone from which distances to other places were measured.

The Odeion of Agrippa: erected in 15 BC by Agrippa and it constituted of an auditorium with a seating capacity of about 1000 people and a two-store portico. It was destroyed in 267 CE and replaced by the Gymnasium in 400 CE.

The Stoa Basileios (Royal Stoa): built in 460 BC, it was the seat of the Royal Archon. In this stoa the laws of Solon were displayed and the Council of Aeropagus held its meetings.

The Tholos: it is a circular building erected around 460 BC. The chairmen of the Council of 500 (Boule) used to dine and spend the night in the Tholos so as to be available if necessary. A set of standard weights and measures was also kept in the building.

AGORA OF ATHENS (ROMAN AGORA)

Built between 19 and 11 BC by a donation of Julius Caesar and Augustus. It was a large building measuring 111 X 98 m. comprising a spacious rectangular courtyard surrounded by stoas, shops and storerooms. It had an east Ionic and west Doric propylons known as the Gate of Athena. In the 2nd. Century CE, Hadrian paved the court with slabs. After the year 267 CE, the center of Athens was transferred to the Roman Agora. During the Byzantine and Turkish periods, the area was covered with houses, workshops and churches. A mosque called Fethiye was built in this later period. The most significant monuments of the Roman Agora are:

Gate of Athena Archegetis: erected in the year 11 BC, it was dedicated to the "Demos" (people) of Athens and their patron goddess: Athena Archegetis.

East Propylon: it is the east entrance to the Roman Agora and it was built between 19-11 BC.

The Agoranomion: built in the first century CE, it is a rectangular building lying in the eastern side of the Roman Agora. It was probably dedicated to the worship of the emperor Augustus and goddess Athena.

The Public Latrines (Vespasianae): dating back to the first century CE. They are housed in a rectangular building and consisted of an antechamber and a square hall with benches bearing holes on all its four sides and sewing pipe underneath.