1936 On the Continent

which the patients awaited the nocturnal appearance of the god who would heal them.
T HEATRE OF D IONYSUS
    In this theatre were presented the works of famous Greek authors, such as Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides and Aristophanes. The theatre, which could seat more than 15,000 spectators, underwent several alterations, especially under the Romans.
    The visitor should notice in the first row the marblebacked seats of honour, reserved for priests and other dignitaries, as is apparent from the inscriptions on their bases.
    High above the theatre of Dionysus is a grotto which serves to-day as a chapel consecrated to the Virgin, and whose entrance was formerly occupied by the choregic monument of Thrasyllus. The two Corinthian columns seen above the grotto are the remains of another choregic monument.
West of the Acropolis
T HE A REOPAGUS
    This rock, at the right of the visitor as he descends from the Acropolis, was the seat of the supreme tribunal of Athens. It was probably here that St. Paul delivered before the Athenians his famous sermon on the Unknown God.
T HE P NYX
    The hill which faces the Propylaea is the Pnyx, where the Assembly of the Athenian people met.
    Below the top of the hill is a semicircular terrace, 230 feet deep. Its lower part is strengthened by a strong support constructed of enormous stone blocks adjusted with astonishing precision.
    At the upper part of the terrace a ledge of rock marks the tribune from which the great Greek orators delivered their famous discourses.
M ONUMENT OF P HILOPAPPUS
    On the summit of the Hill of the Muses (Mouseion), south-east of the Pnyx, are the ruins of the monument which was erected by the Athenians in A.D. 115 in honour of Philopappus, citizen and benefactor of Athens.
    The view from this monument, at sunset, of the Acropolis, of Mount Hymettus and of the plain of Attica is truly incomparable.
In the City
T HE O LYMPIEION (south-east of the Zappeion Park. Trams No. 12, 1, 5, 16)
    This is the great temple to Olympian Zeus. Its construction, begun during the sixth century, was discontinued for a period of 400 years, and was finally completed by Emperor Hadrian, who consecrated it in A.D. 131.
    This colossal edifice measures 354 by 135 feet. It had 108 Corinthian columns 56½ feet high, of which to-day there are only 15 erect in their places and one fallen down.
H ADRIAN’S A RCH (on Leophoros Amalias. Trams No. 1, 16).
    A decorative monument or pentelic marble, erected in honour of Hadrian, at a point of the walls which surround the ancient city. There are two inscriptions on the friezes; the one on the side of the Acropolis says: “Here is Athens, the ancient city of Theseus,” while that on the opposite side says: “Here is Athens, city of Hadrian, not of Theseus.”
M ONUMENT OF L YSICRATES
    This pretty, round monument dates from the fourth century B.C. It was erected as a choregic monument to support the bronze tripod awarded to the choregus Lysicrates, victor at the Dionysiac contests. It was incorporated with the convent of the French Capucins and formed part of their library. Lord Byron, while a guest of the Capucin monks, liked to retire there. Upon the demolition of the convent the monument was left clear again.
T HE S TADIUM (Tram No. 12)
    Beautiful modern stadium, completely in pentelic marble, constructed in 1895 on the site of the old stadium, through the generosity of a Greek patriot, the late G. Averof. It seats 70,000 spectators, and is used for the Olympic Games and for other exhibitions, mostly of an athletic nature.
T HE T HESEUM (Trams No. 16 and 9)
    The building known by this name is in reality a temple of Hephaestus. It is situated north-west of the Acropolis and was probably built in 445 B.C. It is the best preserved of all the temples of Greece, being almost intact.
    From the Theseum one may obtain a general view of the excavations of the Agora of Athens, started recently by the Americans.
    At the right are the circular foundations of the Tholos; next to it is the Metroön, sanctuary to the Mother of the Gods; at the left (in the background, near the railway) is a small temple of Apollo Patroös, the foundations of the Stoa of Zeus Eleutherios, and the altar of the Twelve Gods, partly on the railway line.
    The excavations are progressing, rich in archaeological results.
T OWER OF THE W INDS
    This charming octagonal tower was constructed during the first century B.C. with funds provided by Andronicus of Kyrrhos. It served as a hydraulic