Roman #Greece is fascinating & today’s #MuseumsUnlocked is a great opportunity to shed some light on the archaeology of this period! Let’s head to the Acropolis to explore its most overlooked monument: The Temple of Rome & Augustus!
.
.
#archaeology #classicstwitter #athens #rome

Visiting the #acropolis, your attention is drawn to the immaculately preserved Periclean monuments: the Propylaea, the Nike Temple, the Erechtheion & of course the Parthenon. But a block pile 20m east of the Parthenon are all that remain of the last major monument on the site!

Likely dating to Augustus’ second visit to Athens in 19 BCE, the building represents the installation of Roman Imperial cult at the heart of the city. More importantly though, it signifies an attempt by the Athenians to smooth over their rough relationship with the emperor! – at Ακρόπολη Αθηνών (Acropolis of Athens)

Despite its Roman implications, the few surviving fragments of the Temple to Rome and Augustus present architecture that fit in its Greek context. A round marble tholos with ornate Ionic columns, the temple mimics aspects of the style of the nearby Erechtheion!

Unlike the architecture, the monument’s dedicatory inscription is well preserved, and records that the Athenian people dedicated the building to the Goddess Roma & Augustus Caesar during the archonship of Areius. Btw take a look at this photo of British troops enjoying the text!

Despite its small size, this temple signals some big Athenian implications! By subtly symbolizing Roman control of Greece, the temple became embedded in the topography of the Athenian Acropolis, integrating Rome into the history, religion, monumentality, & myth of the city. – at Παρθενώνας (Parthenon)

Hints of Roman Athens can be found everywhere from monuments like the Library of Hadrian & the Roman Agora to more obscure constructions elsewhere. Lots of ink has been spilled on the “Romanization” of the city, if such a term is appropriate, & the topic is nowhere near settled!