| May 21, 2013 |
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| Monuments reported by ancient authors
(46)
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|  ATHENS (Ancient city) GREECE |
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Altars of Shamefastness, Rumor and Effort
In the Athenian market-place among the objects not generally known is an altar to Mercy, of all divinities the most useful in the life of mortals and in the vicissitudes of fortune, but honored by the Athenians alone among the Greeks. And they are conspicuous not only for their humanity but also for their devotion to religion. They have an altar to Shamefastness, one to Rumour and one to Effort. It is quite obvious that those who excel in piety are correspondingly rewarded by good fortune.
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Altar of Anteros (Love Avenged)
The altar within the city called the altar of Anteros (Love Avenged) they say was dedicated by resident aliens, because the Athenian Meles, spurning the love of Timagoras, a resident alien, bade him ascend to the highest point of the rock and cast himself down. Now Timagoras took no account of his life, and was ready to gratify the youth in any of his requests, so he went and cast himself down. When Meles saw that Timagoras was dead, he suffered such pangs of remorse that he threw himself from the same rock and so died. From this time the resident aliens worshipped as Anteros the avenging spirit of Timagoras.
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Altar or Eurysaces
Even at the present day the Athenians pay honors to Ajax himself and to Eurysaces, for there is an altar of Eurysaces also at Athens.
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| | AKADIMIA PLATONOS (City quarter) ATHENS |
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Precinct of Artemis
As you go down to it you come to a precinct of Artemis, and wooden images of Ariste (Best) and Calliste (Fairest). In my opinion, which is supported by the poems of Pamphos, these are surnames of Artemis. There is another account of them, which I know but shall omit.
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Temple of Dionysus Eleuthereus
Then there is a small temple, into which every year on fixed days they carry the image of Dionysus Eleuthereus.
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Altar of Eros
Before the entrance to the Academy is an altar to Eros, with an inscription that Charmus was the first Athenian to dedicate an altar to that god.
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Altar of Prometheus
In the Academy is an altar to Prometheus, and from it they run to the city carrying burning torches. The contest is while running to keep the torch still alight; if the torch of the first runner goes out, he has no longer any claim to victory, but the second runner has. If his torch also goes out, then the third man is the victor. If all the torches go out, no one is left to be winner.
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Altars of the Muses, of Athena and of Heracles
There is an altar to the Muses, and another to Hermes, and one within to Athena, and they have built one to Heracles. There is also an olive tree, accounted to be the second that appeared.
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| | ARIOS PAGOS (Hill) ATHENS |
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Sanctuary of the Erinyes
Hard by is a sanctuary of the goddesses which the Athenians call the August, but Hesiod in the Theogony calls them Erinyes (Furies). It was Aeschylus who first represented them with snakes in their hair. But on the images neither of these nor of any of the under-world deities is there anything terrible. There are images of Pluto, Hermes, and Earth, by which sacrifice those who have received an acquittal on the Hill of Ares; sacrifices are also offered on other occasions by both citizens and aliens. Within the precincts is a monument to Oedipus.
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| | ATHENS (Ancient city) GREECE |
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Sanctuary of Serapis
As you descend from here to the lower part of the city, is a sanctuary of Serapis, whose worship the Athenians introduced from Ptolemy. Not far from the sanctuary of Serapis is the place where they say that Peirithous and Theseus made their pact before setting forth to Lacedaemon and afterwards to Thesprotia.
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Sanctuary of Apollo Delphinius
There is further a sanctuary of Apollo surnamed Delphinius. The story has it that when the temple was finished with the exception of the roof Theseus arrived in the city, a stranger as yet to everybody. When he came to the temple of the Delphinian, wearing a tunic that reached to his feet and with his hair neatly plaited, those who were building the roof mockingly inquired what a marriageable virgin was doing wandering about by herself. The only answer that Theseus made was to loose, it is said, the oxen from the cart hard by, and to throw them higher than the roof of the temple they were building.
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Sanctuary of Apollo Lyceus
The Lyceum has its name from Lycus, the son of Pandion, but it was considered sacred to Apollo from the be ginning down to my time, and here was the god first named Lyceus.
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Sanctuary of Asclepius
The sanctuary of Asclepius is worth seeing both for its paintings and for the statues of the god and his children. In it there is a spring, by which they say that Poseidon's son Halirrhothius deflowered Alcippe the daughter of Ares, who killed the ravisher and was the first to be put on his trial for the shedding of blood. A mong the votive offerings there is a Sauromatic breast plate. On seeing this a man will say that no less than Greeks are foreigners skilled in the arts.
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Sanctuaries of Earth and of Demeter
There is also a sanctuary of Earth, Nurse of Youth, and of Demeter Chloe (Green). You can learn all about their names by conversing with the priests.
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| | KYNOSARGOUS (Square) ATHENS |
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Sunctuary of Heracles
There is also the place called Cynosarges, sacred to Heracles; the story of the white dog may be known by reading the oracle. There are altars of Heracles and Hebe, who they think is the daughter of Zeus and wife to Heracles. An altar has been built to Alcmena and to Iolaus, who shared with Heracles most of his labours.
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| | ATHENS (Ancient city) GREECE |
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Athens race-course
A marvel to the eyes, though not so impressive to hear of, is a race-course of white marble, the size of which can best be estimated from the fact that beginning in a crescent on the heights above the Ilisus it descends in two straight lines to the river bank. This was built by Herodes, an Athenian, and the greater part of the Pentelic quarry was exhausted in its construction.
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Statue of Poseidon
Not far from the temple is Poseidon on horseback, hurling a spear against the giant Polybotes, concerning whom is prevalent among the Coans the story about the promontory of Chelone. But the inscription of our time assigns the statue to another, and not to Poseidon.
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Statue of Apollo Pythian
Close to the temple of Olympian Zeus is a statue of the Pythian Apollo.
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Temple of Demeter
On entering the city there is a building for the preparation of the processions, which are held in some cases every year, in others at longer intervals. Hard by is a temple of Demeter, with images of the goddess herself and of her daughter, and of Iacchus holding a torch. On the wall, in Attic characters, is written that they are works of Praxiteles.
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Temple of Eileithyia
Hard by is built a temple of Eileithyia, who they say came from the Hyperboreans to Delos and helped Leto in her labour; and from Delos the name spread to other peoples. The Delians sacrifice to Eileithyia and sing a hymn of Olen. But the Cretans suppose that Eileithyia was born at Auunisus in the Cnossian territory, and that Hera was her mother. Only among the Athenians are the wooden figures of Eileithyia draped to the feet. The women told me that two are Cretan, being offerings of Phaedra, and that the third, which is the oldest, Erysichthon brought from Delos.
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Temple of Olympian Zeus
Before the entrance to the sanctuary of Olympian Zeus--Hadrian the Roman emperor dedicated the temple and the statue, made of ivory and gold with an artistic skill which is remarkable --stand statues of Hadrian. Before the pillars stand bronze statues which the Athenians call “colonies.” The whole circumference of the precincts is about four stades, and they are full of statues; for every city has dedicated a likeness of the emperor Hadrian. Within the precincts are antiquities: a bronze Zeus, a temple of Cronus and Rhea and an enclosure of Earth surnamed Olympian. Here the floor opens to the width of a cubit, and they say that along this bed flowed off the water after the deluge that occurred in the time of Deucalion. On a pillar is a statue of Isocrates. There are also statues of Persians.The ancient sanctuary of Olympian Zeus the Athenians say was built by Deucalion, and they cite as evidence that Deucalion lived at Athens a grave which is not far from the present temple.
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Temples of Hera and of Zeus Panhellenios
Hadrian constructed other buildings also for the Athenians: a temple of Hera and Zeus Panellenios (Common to all Greeks), a sanctuary common to all the gods, and, most famous of all, a hundred pillars of Phrygian marble.
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Temple of Aphrodite
Concerning the district called The Gardens, and the temple of Aphrodite, there is no story that is told by them, nor yet about the Aphrodite which stands near the temple. Now the shape of it is square, like that of the Hermae, and the inscription declares that the Heavenly Aphrodite is the oldest of those called Fates. But the statue of Aphrodite in the Gardens is the work of Alcamenes, and one of the most note worthy things in Athens.
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Temple of Dionysus
So Phryne chose the statue of Love; while a Satyr is in the temple of Dionysus hard by, a boy holding out a cup. The Love standing with him and the Dionysus were made by Thymilus.
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Temple of Thetis
After the sanctuary of Asclepius, as you go by this way towards the Acropolis, there is a temple of Themis. Before it is raised a sepulchral mound to Hippolytus.
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Tomb of unknown soldier
Not far from the gates is a grave, on which is mounted a soldier standing by a horse. Who it is I do not know, but both horse and soldier were carved by Praxiteles.
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Delos, Keraton
Site: Delos
Summary: Approximately square building; to the east of the Oikos
of Andros and the Hieropoion.
Date: ca. 350 B.C.
Period: Late Classical
Plan:
Cella and pronaos.
History:
Alternative reconstructions include 12 prostyle Ionic columns and interior
colonnades, not shown in this drawing. Identified as the Keraton, a building that
housed an altar of the horns. Erected by the Athenians during the Second League.
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This text is cited Nov 2002 from The Perseus Project URL below, which contains 1 image(s), bibliography & interesting hyperlinks. |
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Delos, Porinos Naos
Site: Delos
Type: Temple
Summary: Temple; northernmost of the 3 temples to Apollo in the
central part of the Sanctuary of Apollo.
Date: ca. 550 B.C. - 525 B.C.
Period: Archaic
Plan:
Ionic temple with cella opening west onto a distyle in antis pronaos.
History:
This temple is also reconstructed as having 2 columns or piers dividing the entry
into 3 parts and having a hexastyle prostyle Ionic porch. Erected by the Athenians,
this temple may have replaced an earlier one built by the Naxians on the same
location. Money of the Delian League was originally deposited and held in this
building.
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This text is cited Nov 2002 from The Perseus Project URL below, which contains 1 image(s), bibliography & interesting hyperlinks. |
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Delos, Propylon
Site: Delos
Type: Gate
Summary: Gate-building; on southern side of the Sanctuary of Apollo,
between the Oikos of the Naxians on the east and the Stoa of the Naxians on the
west.
Date: ca. 150 B.C.
Period: Hellenistic
Plan:
Prostyle, 4 Doric columns on the south. Four interior columns dividing opening
into 3 aisles. Three stepped platform.
History:
Built by the Athenians to replaced an earlier gateway.
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This text is cited Nov 2002 from The Perseus Project URL below, which contains 2 image(s), bibliography & interesting hyperlinks. |
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Delphi, Stoa of the Athenians
Site: Delphi
Type: Stoa
Summary: Stoa; in the Sanctuary of Apollo, south of the Apollo Temple
platform, with the southern, polygonal wall of the platform forming the north
wall of the stoa.
Date: ca. 478 B.C. - 470 B.C.
Period: Early Classical
Plan:
One-aisled stoa with Ionic colonnade opening southeast. Several steps displaying
dedications led up to the stoa.
History:
Dedicated by the Athenians after the Persian War, the top step has an Archaic
inscription dedicating trophies taken from the Persians.
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This text is cited Nov 2002 from The Perseus Project URL below, which contains 9 image(s), bibliography & interesting hyperlinks. |
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Delphi, Treasury of the Athenians (XI)
Site: Delphi
Type: Treasury
Summary: Temple-like building; in the southern half of the Sanctuary
of Apollo, northwest of the point where the Sacred Way 1st curves and ascends
to the northeast.
Date: 510 B.C. - 480 B.C.
Period: Archaic
Plan:
Small Doric building with cella opening east onto a pronaos, distyle in antis.
History:
Built by the Athenians after 490 B.C. with spoils form the Battle of Marathon.
The walls are covered with inscriptions, including hymns to Apollo with musical
notation. The treasury rests on a triangular terrace but had no steps and was
not meant to be regularly entered. The building replaces an older Treasury of
the Athenians of unknown plan. The extant Treasury was re-erected in 1904-1906,
and more than 80 percent of the material is from the original building.
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This text is cited Nov 2002 from The Perseus Project URL below, which contains 49 image(s), bibliography & interesting hyperlinks. |
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Monument of Antiope
On entering the city there is a monument to Antiope the Amazon. This Antiope, Pindar says, was carried off by Peirithous and Theseus, but Hegias of Troezen gives the following account of her. Heracles was besieging Themiscyra on the Thermodon, but could not take it, but Antiope, falling in love with Theseus, who was aiding Heracles in his campaign, surrendered the stronghold. Such is the account of Hegias. But the Athenians assert that when the Amazons came, Antiope was shot by Molpadia.
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Monument to Molpadia
The Athenians assert that when the Amazons came, Antiope was shot by Molpadia, while Molpadia was killed by Theseus. To Molpadia also there is a monument among the Athenians.
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Cenotaph of Euripides
Along the road are very famous graves, that of Menander, son of Diopeithes, and a cenotaph of Euripides. He him self went to King Archelaus and lies buried in Macedonia.
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Gymnasium of Hermes
One of the porticoes contains shrines of gods, and a gymnasium called that of Hermes.
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Prytaneion (Prytaneum)
At Athens, contains laws of Solon, images of Hestia and Peace and statue of Autolycus, Athenian court of justice held in.
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Hadrian's Library
Hadrian constructed other buildings also for the Athenians: a temple of Hera and Zeus Panellenios (Common to all Greeks), a sanctuary common to all the gods, and, most famous of all, a hundred pillars of Phrygian marble. The walls too are constructed of the same material as the cloisters. And there are rooms there adorned with a gilded roof and with alabaster stone, as well as with statues and paintings. In them are kept books.
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Hadrian's gymnasium
There is also a gymnasium named after Hadrian; of this too the pillars are a hundred in number from the Libyan quarries.
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Parabystum
Athenian court of justice.
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Trigonum, Batrachium, Phoenicium
Athenian courts of justice.
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Heliaea
Athenian court of justice.
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Heliaea
Perseus Project Index. Total results on 2/7/2001: 16 for Heliaea, 20 for Heliaia.
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Palladium
Athenian court of justice.
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Delphinium
Athenian court of justice.
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Delphinium
Perseus Project Index. Total results on 2/7/2001: 28 for Delphinium.
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Court of "Epi Prytanio"
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