The Arch or Gate of Hadrian
The Arch of Hadrian is a triumphal arch, built by the Athenians in honour of the Roman emperor Hadrian.
Modern and Contemporary era (1821 - )
This area was inhabited by several Maltese antiquities smugglers, who hid the loot on Maltese slabs that were traded. When the Athenians found out, they broke their plates and forced them to flee.
1821 On April 25, the Greek rebels entered the city through this gate. Thirteen years later, the now independent Greece welcomed King Otto.
Ottoman era (1453- 1821)
It was known also as " Chaseki Wall Gate" or “Princess Gate” or "Arched Gate".
Byzantine era (331 AC- 1453)
Roman era (30 BC- 330 AC)
131-132 AD Construction.
Hellenistic era (322- 31 BC)
Classical era (478-323 BC)
Archaic era (800-479 BC)
Geometric era (-1100- 800 BC)
Prehistory (-1100 BC)
What I can see
Hadrian’s Gate is a triumphal arch built by the Athenians in honour of the Roman emperor Hadrian. It is built with Pentelic marble, decorated with columns of corinthian order and had a height of 18 metres and a width of 13 metres. It is still in good condition as it was part of the Ottoman city wall, which has a surviving section further to the south, along Amalias Avenue. The building is divided into two parts: the lower part is shaped like a Roman honorary arch, while the upper part is inspired by the traditional Greek portico. On both sides of the arch, two inscriptions are barely discernible. On the west side we read “this is Athens, the old city of Theseus”; on the east, “this is the city of Hadrian, not Theseus”. The two signs separate the old town from the new.
What I can't see
The affection between the Athenians and Emperor Hadrian was mutual. Hadrian was a great benefactor of the city and the Athenians honoured him, not only by constructing buildings and statues in his honour, but also by deifying him. This gate is built on the road that led from the Temple of Olympian Zeus to the eastern end of the Acropolis.
Info
- Address: Amalias Avenue
Bibliography
Kyriakou Th., (d.u.), Πύλη του Αδριανού, [Hadrian’s arch], Odysseus, Ministry of Culture
http://odysseus.culture.gr/h/2/gh251.jsp?obj_id=1794
Last visit 19/8/2013
Foka Ι., Valavanis P., (1994), Περίπατοι στην Αθήνα και την Αττική, τόποι, θεοί, μνημεία [Strolls in Athens and Attica, places, gods, monuments], Kedros
Travlos J., (1980), Pictorial Dictionary of Ancient Athens, New York: Hacker Art Book
