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