Stoa of the Athenians, Ancient portico in sanctuary, Delphi, Greece
The Stoa of the Athenians is an ancient structure featuring seven Ionic columns made of Pentelic marble with bases of Parian marble, measuring about 26.5 meters in length. It sits on a three-step platform to the south of the Temple of Apollo, with three of its columns restored and visible today within the archaeological site.
Athens built this structure after their naval victories against the Persians at Mykale and Sestos in 478 BC to display war spoils and demonstrate military strength. The building became a way to showcase Athenian power within the sacred sanctuary at Delphi.
The structure displays over 600 inscriptions carved into its polygonal wall that record the freeing of enslaved people through ceremonial sales to Apollo. These inscriptions reveal how Athenians incorporated religious ritual into matters of personal freedom and social change.
The structure sits south of the Temple of Apollo and is easy to spot within the archaeological complex. The three standing columns are clearly visible, and its location on a low platform allows you to see the entire structure comfortably from the surrounding area.
The structure originally had a wooden roof that provided shelter for visitors while the spacing between columns allowed natural light to filter in. This combination of brightness and protection made it a pleasant place to rest within the sanctuary.
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