Hadrian's Library
Βιβλιοθήκη του Αδριανού
West wall of the Library of Hadrian
Hadrian's Library is located in Athens
Hadrian's Library
Shown within Athens
LocationGreece
RegionAthens
Coordinates37°58′32″N 23°43′34″E / 37.9755555556°N 23.7261111111°E / 37.9755555556; 23.7261111111
TypeLibrary
History
MaterialMarble
Founded132 AD
PeriodsClassical era
CulturesAncient Greece, Ancient Rome
Associated withEmperor Hadrian
Site notes
OwnershipPublic property
ManagementMinister for Culture
Public accessAthens Metro Athens Metro Line 2 Athens Metro Line 3 Monastiraki station

Hadrian's Library was created by Roman Emperor Hadrian in AD 132 on the north side of the Acropolis of Athens.[1][2]

The building followed a typical Roman forum architectural style, having only one entrance with a propylon of Corinthian order, a high surrounding wall with protruding niches (oikoi, exedrae) at its long sides, an inner courtyard surrounded by columns and a decorative oblong pool in the middle.[3] The library was on the eastern side where rolls of papyrus "books" were kept. Adjoining halls were used as reading rooms, and the corners served as lecture halls.

The library was seriously damaged by the Herulian invasion of 267 and repaired by the prefect Herculius in AD 407–412.[4] During Byzantine times, three churches were built at the site, the remains of which are preserved:

  • a tetraconch (5th century AD)
  • a three-aisled basilica (7th century), and
  • a simple cathedral (12th century), which was the first cathedral of the city, known as Megali Panagia.

Around the same period as the cathedral another church, Agios Asomatos sta Skalia, was built against the north facade, but it is not preserved. A colossal statue of the goddess Nike is exhibited on the site, excavated in the Library in 1988.[5]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Choremi-Spetsieri, A. The Library of Hadrian at Athens: Recent Finds. Ostraka 4. pp. 137–147.
  2. ↑ "The Library of Hadrian". The Stoa Consortium. Retrieved 2009-02-19.
  3. ↑ "Library of Hadrian Description". PlanetWare. Retrieved 2009-02-19.
  4. ↑ "Hadrian's Library". Athens City Guide. Retrieved 2009-02-19.
  5. ↑ Sourlas, Dimitris (2019). The Library of Hadrian (brochure) (PDF). Translated by D. Brown-Kazazis. Hellenic Organization of Cultural Resources Development.
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