Arch of Hadrian, Roman triumphal arch near Syntagma Square, Athens, Greece
The Arch of Hadrian is an ancient Roman monument made of white marble that marks the boundary between old Athens and the city's expansion under Roman rule. The structure rises about 18 meters and features a large central passageway framed by Corinthian columns supporting an ornate upper level.
Citizens commissioned this monument in 131 AD to honor Emperor Hadrian's restoration and expansion of their city. It served as the symbolic gateway marking where ancient Athens ended and the newly developed Roman quarter began.
The inscriptions on each side of the arch honor Theseus and Hadrian as city founders, showing how Athens acknowledged both its Greek roots and Roman patronage. You can see these different messages when you walk around the structure.
The monument is open to viewing at all hours without any entrance fee, making it easy to visit whenever you pass by. The nearby Akropoli metro station provides straightforward access to reach this central location.
The structure features two marble inscriptions facing opposite directions: one side credits Theseus as founder of ancient Athens, while the other honors Hadrian as founder of the new city. This dual message demonstrates how Roman rulers acknowledged and incorporated Greek heritage.
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