Temple of Athena Polias at Rhodes

The Temple of Athena Polias at Rhodes
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The Acropolis of Rhodes

The Acropolis of Rhodes dominated the western and highest part of the city of Rhodes, Greece. It was not fortified like most ancient acropolis. It consisted of a monumental zone with Sanctuaries, large Temples, public buildings and underground cult places.

The buildings were built on stepped terraces supported by strong retaining walls. It was full of fields and groves, in the words of the 2nd c. CE orator Ailios Aristides.

The style of the Hellenistic architecture on the Acropolis of Rhodes was perfectly conveyed by the combination of natural beauty and artificial transformations. The buildings on the Acropolis date to the Hellenistic and Late Hellenistic periods (3rd-2nd c. BCE).

Map of Rhodes' Acropolis
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The History of the Excavations

The excavations were carried out by the Italian Archaeological School during the Italian occupation of the island (1912-1945). The Temple of Athena was excavated by G. Jacopi in 1926. In 1934 the excavations where carried on under L. Laurenzi. For the excavations at Rhodes, see, Jacopi, G., Clara Rhodos.

From 1946 onwards the Greek Archaeological Service conducted excavations which added to our knowledge of the history and topography of the place. The whole of the Acropolis has not yet been excavated. An archaeological zone of 12,500 m² has been excluded from contemporary building with the intention of continuing excavation works to uncover the splendid ancient city of Rhodes.

There was extensive reconstruction during the Italian occupation in keeping with the spirit of the time. From 1946 onwards the Greek Archaeological Service carried out restoration work in the area of the Temple of Pythian Apollo, which had suffered considerable damage from bombing in the 2nd World War and from the weight of the artillery that had been installed there. During the 60's and 70's there was reconstruction work to the west foundation of the same Temple, and in 1996 further reconstruction was carried out on the Temple and the Nymphaeums.

The Temple of Athena Polias

The Temple of Athena Polias and Zeus Polieus is located on the northern edge of the Acropolis. It is orientated E-W and was a Doric peripteral Temple (having a columned portico on all four sides) made of poros.

Four oversize column drums and parts of a capital and architrave still to be seen on the site are an indication of its original monumental character. The larger column drums have 1.20m (48in) in diameter and are 67cm (26.8in) high. The smaller column drums have 1.00m (40in) in diameter and are 62-63cm (24.8in-25.2in) high. The capital has 1.00m (40in) in diameter and is 52cm (20.8in) high [22cm (8.8in) to the abacus and 30cm (12in) to the echinus and rings].

This was where the Rhodians kept the texts of their treaties with other states.

The Temple stood in a larger temenus (enclosure) bounded by a stoa on the east.

Clickable Map of Rhodes' Acropolis
(Click the image for a full screen view)

The Hellenistic Stoa

Today the foundation wall of a Stoa is preserved, which must have had an imposing facade visible from the lower town and harbor.

The Nymphaeums

The Nymphaeums are located to the east and south of the wall of the Stoa. They consist of four subterranean cave-like constructions cut into the rock with entrance steps, communicating passages and a large opening in the central part of the roof. There are recesses in the interior walls for statuettes. Water cisterns and lush vegetation complete the picture. They were places for recreation and worship.

The Library

There used to be a fine Library containing notable works of rhetoric, near the Gymnasium and the Odeon, according to an inscription found in the area.

GALLERY

Rhodes Acropolis map.

Clickable Map of Rhodes' Acropolis.

Proposed reconstruction of the Temple of Athena Polias at Rhodes from NE.
This reconstruction proposes a peripteral Temple with 6x11 columns similar to the Temple of Pythian Apollo on the same acropolis.

  • Some propose a peripteral Temple with 4x6 columns.

The Temple of Athena Polias at Rhodes from E.
The place of the door to enter the Temple.


The Temple of Athena Polias at Rhodes from E.
Inside the Temple.


The Temple of Athena Polias at Rhodes from E.
More inside the Temple.


The Temple of Athena Polias at Rhodes from E.
Even more inside the Temple.

  • This was the place of the cult statue.

The Temple of Athena Polias at Rhodes from S.
The entrance to the Temple was to the right (of the picture) and the cella (the sacred chamber where the statue of the cult was kept) was in front.


The Temple of Athena Polias at Rhodes from S.
Statue bases and other remains of the Temple, on the North side of the Temple.


The Temple of Athena Polias at Rhodes from SE.
The cella (the sacred chamber where the statue of the cult was kept) was to the right (of the picture) and the opisthodomus (the rear chamber) was in front.


The Temple of Athena Polias at Rhodes from W.

The Temple of Athena Polias at Rhodes from NW.

The Temple of Athena Polias at Rhodes from NW.
The Temple of Pythian Apollo can be seen in the center (far) of the picture.


The Temple of Athena Polias at Rhodes from N.
A stone block from the wall of the Temple in situ.


Rhodes Acropolis column drums from E.
The larger column drums have 1.20m (48in) in diameter and are 67cm (26.8in) high. The smaller column drums have 1.00m (40in) in diameter and are 62-63cm (24.8in-25.2in) high.


Rhodes Acropolis column drums, parts of a capital and architrave from W.
The capital has 1.00m (40in) in diameter and is 52cm (20.8in) high [22cm (8.8in) to the abacus and 30cm (12in) to the echinus and rings].


Rhodes Acropolis columns from SW.
The columns are fluted.


Rhodes Acropolis Stoa N side.
North side of Hellenistic Stoa.

  • The place of the Temple of Athena can be seen on top of the picture.

Rhodes Acropolis Stoa E side.
Here were the steps to the main entrance to the Hellenistic Stoa.

  • The place of the Temple of Athena can be seen on top of the picture.

Rhodes Acropolis Stoa S side.
South side of Hellenistic Stoa from East.

  • The place of the Temple of Athena can be seen on top of the picture.

Rhodes Acropolis Stoa S side.
South side of Hellenistic Stoa from West.

  • The city of Rhodes can be seen on top of the picture.

Rhodes Acropolis Nymphaeums from E.
They consist of four subterranean cave-like constructions cut into the rock with entrance steps, communicating passages and a large opening in the central part of the roof. There are recesses in the interior walls for statuettes.

  • The place of the Temple of Athena can be seen on top of the picture.

Tourist Information

The city of Rhodes is the capital of Rhodes island, Greece. The ancient acropolis of Rhodes is to be found in the district Ag. Stefanos (Monte Smith). It is less than 3 km from the center of Rhodes-town. This may be reached either by foot or with bus number 5, which leaves Eleftherias square (new market) every half-hour.

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