The Kerameikos

The Kerameikos was the name of the deme or section of Athens northwest of the Acropolis. Technically, it includes an extensive area both within and outside of the city walls. The "inner Kerameikos" (from the Greek Agora to the Dipylon and Sacred Gates) was the "potter's quarter" of the city. The "outer Kerameikos" (from the city walls towards the Academy), included the famous cemetery and the "demosion sema" (public burial monument) where Perikles delivered his funeral oration in 431 B.C.

The Kerameikos. Building Z on the south side of the Sacred Gate. Building Z was constructed shortly before 430 B.C. and was originally seems to have been a large, private house with rooms around a courtyard. It was rebuilt and modified several times between the 5th and 3rd centuries, and finally seems to have gone out of use after the Sullan destruction of Athens in 86 B.C. The function of the building seems to have changed over time, too, and there is evidence for weaving, bronze casting, and other activities. View from the south. See Knigge 1991, pp. 88-194, no. 8a.
The Kerameikos. Building Z (left), the Sacred Gate, Sacred Way, and Eridanos River (right). The Sacred Way passed through the Sacred Gate and led to Eleusis. In the photograph, a person is standing on the southern pier of the actual gateway. A long passage or courtyard extended form this point towards the northwest. View from the southeast. For the Sacred Gate, see Knigge 1991, pp. 56-67, no. 2.
The Kerameikos. The Sacred Gate, Sacred Way, and Eridanos River (left), and the Pompeion (left). View from the southeast.
The Kerameikos. The Pompeion (used for preparations for the Panathenaic procession). In it original phase (4th century B.C.), it was a rectanguarl building with a propylon at the notherneastern corner, a peristyle court, and several adjoining rooms. The Pompeion seems to have been destroyed in 86 B.C., after which potters established workshops and kilns in on top of the ruins. In the 2nd century A.D. a large, 3-aisled storeroom was constructed. This storeroom was in turn destroyed during the Herulian invasion of 267 A.D., and the ruins were again taken over by potters and their kilns. In the photo you can see the remains of both the classical Pompeion and the Roman storerooms. View from the south. For the Pompeion, see Knigge 1991, pp. 79-86, no. 6.
The Kerameikos. The Pompeion (used for preparations for the Panathenaic procession). The propylon of the Pompeion, through which the procession departed, is in the bottom center of the photo. There are deep wheel ruts in the ramp of the Propylon, showing that carts moved in and out of the courtyard. The Dipylon Gate and the Panathenaic Way is at the far right. View from the southeast.
The Kerameikos. The Pompeion, Dipylon Gate, and Panathenaic Way. The Dipylon Gate was the main gate into Athens. The Panathenaic Way (marked by the modern cement paving) led ffrom the Dipylon Gate to the Acropolis. Beyond the Dipylon Gate, the road (Dromos) led to the Academy. View from the southeast.
The Kerameikos. The Street of the Tombs. View from the southeast (from a tall grave mound or tumulus nicknamed "South Hill").
The Kerameikos. Shrine of the Tritopatres at the junction of the Street of the Tombs (in the foreground) and the Sacred Way. View from the south (from South Hill).
The Kerameikos. The Sacred Way and Eridanos River. The tall marble stele at the left side of the photo marks the grave of a foreigner (non-Athenian) named Pythagoras, son of Dionysios, from Selymbria. An inscription on the stele (md-5th century B.C.) tells us that the Athenians buried Pythagoras at state expense in honor of the service he provided them as "proxenos" (Athens representative in his home town). To the right of Pythagorass' grave is a walled enclosure that seems to be a shrine. View from the southwest (from South Hill). For the tomb of Pythagoras of Selymbria, see Knigge 1991, pp. 97-99, no. 10. For the shrine, see Knigge 1991, p. 103, no. 13.
The Kerameikos. The Sacred Way and Eridanos river. View from the southwest (from South Hill).
The Kerameikos. The Sacred Way, the Sacred Gate, the Eridanos River, the "Themistoklean" Wall, and the proteichisma (an outer line of fortifications, in front of which was a moat). In the distance are Mt. Lykabettos (left) and Mt. Hymettos (right). View from the west (from South Hill). For the City Wall, see Knigge 1991, pp. 49-55, no. 1.
The Kerameikos. The Sacred Way, the Sacred Gate, the Eridanos River, the "Themistoklean" Wall, and the proteichisma & moat. In the background are Mt. Hymettos and, at far right, the Acropolis . View from the west. (from South Hill). For the City Wall, see Knigge 1991, pp. 49-55, no. 1.
The Kerameikos. Detail of the "Themistoklean" Wall. Actually, only the lowest course visible in the photo dates from the time of Themistokles. The walls were dismantled and rebuilt on several occasions, always following the line of the old "Themistoklean" Wall. The 2nd course from the bottom dates c. 420 B.C.; the 3rd course (larger, polygonal blocks) c. 394 B.C.; the 4th and 5th courses (yellowish limestone) c. 307 B.C., and the 6th course (reddish stone) c. 253-260 A.D. Other sections of the wall (to the south of this spot) preserved courses dating to c. 550 A.D. View from the southeast. For the City Wall, see Knigge 1991, pp. 49-55, no. 1.
The Kerameikos. The Sacred Way, Sacred Gate, the "Themistoklean" Wall, and proteichisma. View from the west. For the Sacred Gate, see Knigge 1991, pp. 56-67, no. 2.
The Kerameikos. The Eridanos river as it flows out from the city, through the Sacred Gate (in the distance) and beside the Sacred Way (right). View from the northwest. For the Sacred Gate, see Knigge 1991, pp. 56-67, no. 2.

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