Athens - Monument of Lysikrates 
The Monument of Lysikrates stands in a little square at the end of Lysikrátous Street. This rotunda, 6.50m/21ft in height and 2.80m/9ft in diameter is surrounded by what appear to be pilasters but are in fact fully rounded Corinthian columns, between which curved marble slabs have been inserted. Round the top runs a frieze depicting scenes from the life of Dionysos (the transformation into dolphins of the pirates who had captured the god). The stone acanthus flower on the roof originally bore a bronze tripod, the prize received by Lysikrates when the choir which he had financed as choregos was victorious in the tragedy competition in 334 B.C.
In 1669 the hollow monument was acquired by a Capuchin convent and used as a library, when it became known as the "Lantern of Diogenes". This is the only surviving example of the numerous choregic monuments in the ancient Street of Tripods (which was on roughly the same line as the present street of that name).
Other choregic monuments in Athens are the Monument of Nikias beside the Stoa of Eumenes and the Monument of Thrasyllos above the Theater of Dionysos.
In 1669 the hollow monument was acquired by a Capuchin convent and used as a library, when it became known as the "Lantern of Diogenes". This is the only surviving example of the numerous choregic monuments in the ancient Street of Tripods (which was on roughly the same line as the present street of that name).
Other choregic monuments in Athens are the Monument of Nikias beside the Stoa of Eumenes and the Monument of Thrasyllos above the Theater of Dionysos.
|
Must-see attractions nearby:
|
Related Attractions
Karagiosis Theater
In the Plaka in Athens, is one of the few Karagiósis theaters still in operation. These shadow plays with their stock characters, represented by figures of colored leather, are derived from the Turkish Karagöz ("Black-Eye"). Karagiósis plays have always been mainly ignored by the intellectuals of Athens society.
