The tower of the Winds
The Tower of the Winds or
Aerides as they called by the Athenians is an octagonal
tower on the east edge of the Roman Agora of Athens and it
is the best preserved ancient building in Athens. the tower
was built around 100 BC by the Greek astronomer Andronicus
of Cyrrhus.
On each of the eight sides of the tower there is a relief
for the 8 wind gods Boreas (north), Kaikas (Northeast),
Apeliotes (East) , Euros (Southeast), Notos (south), Lips
(Southwest), Zephyros (the West) and Skiron (Northwest). In
the tower there was a water clock. You can get there from
Monastiraki or Plaka.
Ancient Agora
The Agora of Athens was the
centre of business, social and political life of the ancient
city of Athens. A wide open space, flanked by an
accumulation of public buildings. Over time, it had a mix of
functions as a Government centre.
It was, among others, the place where the Athenians gathered
to discuss their laws and decide the political future of
their city. Until the reforms of Cleisthenes was the place
of concentration of the Ecclesia of demos.
The Athenian Agora became a residential area during Roman
and Byzantine times.
Roman Forum
