Gate to Greece > Athens > Places to Visit > Athenian Agora > Altar of the 12 Gods

Altar of the Twelve Gods

<Location> Agora site, Athens, Attica, Greece

One of the oldest sanctuary of Athens is now covered by wall of the Monastiraki subway station. What is visible is the base of the fence that surrounded the altar.

We know that this sanctuary existed already in the sixth century BCE. According to Thycidides it was constructed by Peisistratos, grandson of the homonymous tyrant, when he was archon (522/1 BCE).

The altar functioned also as the standard milestone of Athens (see Herodotus, 2.7, and IG II² 2640), and as an asylum.

In March 2011, it was reported that during the renovation work of the ISAP train line the altar of the twelve gods was discovered. From the article (linked below), it is not clear the discovered remains are the continuation of the part in the photo above, or something totally different.

Bibliography

• John M. Camp, The Athenian Agora: Excavations in the Heart of Classical Athens, London/ Thames and Hudson, 1986, pp. 40-42 (with reconstructed illustration).
• John M. Camp, The Archaeology of Athens, New Haven and London/ Yale University Press, 2001, pp. 32-35 (with reconstructed illustration).
• http://www.ekathimerini.com/4dcgi/_w_articles_wsite4_1_17/02/2011_379147

Back to the Top

Return to Thumbnails
* Altar of the 12 Gods
* Middle Stoa
* Drainage
* Heroon
* Temple of Zeus Agoraios
* Funerary Inscription
* Third Century Fortification
* Tripod Base
* Offering Container
* Torso of Hadrian
* Temple of Ares
* Tholos


Athenian Agora Top
Places in Athes Top