Altar of the Twelve Gods

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<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.

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).

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* 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


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