Hadrian's Arch

Northwest of the Temple of Zeus Olympios is an associated Monument, the so-called Arch of Hadrian. A single large Arch spans the road which leads back toward the east end of the Acropolis. It is Decorated with Corinthian pilasters and Columns, and supports an attic of more Columns and pilasters which form three bays, the central one topped by a pediment. Two simple inscriptions are carved on the Architrave immediately above the Arch. On the west side, facing the Acropolis, the text reads, "This is Athens, the former [or old] city of Theseus", while the text on the east side reads: "This is the city of Hadrian and not of Theseus". Thus the Arch seems to serve as a boundary Stone, either physical or temporal, between old and new Athens.