Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Why Did it Take so Long to Build?
The tyrant Peisistratos started the temple in 515 BC to occupy the rebellious
Athenians. After his fall, the democratic Athenians refused to finish what they
saw as a monument to a hated tyrant. In 174 BC, King Antiochus IV of Epiphanes
took over the work, but it stopped with his death in 163 BC. When Hadrian came
in AD 124, he finally saw the temple completed.
Tip:
To get the best light for photographs of the column capitals, come
between 3 and 4pm.
Tip:
For a bite to eat, head across the street to Zappeion Gardens to either
elegant Aigli café and restaurant or one of the handful of other cafés spread
through the park.
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