Plato’s Grave in Athens

According to the Greek Reporter, the Italian archaeologist Graziano Ranocchia located the site of Plato’s grave in the garden of his Academy in Athens near the sacred shrine to the Muses. 

[The archaeological site of Plato’s academy. Credit: Tomisti, CC BY-SA 3.0/Wikipedia]

This discovery is based on the latest deciphering of a carbonized papyrus from Herculaneum (see: Reading Papyrus scrolls from Herculaneum). The scroll revealed the history of the Academy by Philodemus of Gadara, a poet and philosopher who lived in Herculaneum. 

Plato's Academy included thinkers such as Theaetetus of Sunium (from Cape Sounion), Archytas of Tarentum, a Pythagorean scientist and philosopher, Leodamas of Thasos and Neocleides, both Greek mathematicians. 

The garden where Plato decided to establish his Academia was originally a sacred grove of olive trees dedicated to Athena, appropriately the goddess of wisdom, situated outside Athens’ city walls. 

Although Plato’s grave site has been established, nothing is said about whatever remains. Is there a tombstone or any kind of marker, something for us to see? After all, the garden is a large area. 

Wikipedia writes that “The site of the Academy is located near Colonus, approximately, 1.5 km north of Athens' Dipylon gates. The site was rediscovered in the 20th century, in modern Akademia Platonos neighbourhood; considerable excavation has been accomplished.” ... “the Peristyle Building (4th century BC), which is perhaps the only major building that belonged to the actual Academy of Plato”.

The modern Academy of Athens is Greece’s National Academy, established in 1926 based on the same principles as the ancient Academy of Plato. The main building in Greek neoclassical style is a landmark in the city and a clear reminder of ancient Greece.

Side and the restored Temple of Athena

The iconic picture of Side is the white marble remains of the Temple of Apollo, close to the harbor (see: Side didn’t put up any resistance to Alexander). For many years, it was thought to be the only temple in the area. 

The city had two major gods, Apollo and Athena, but only the Temple of Apollo was known so far. It was assumed that the Temple of Athena had to stand nearby, and recent excavations, some of which had to be carried out on private properties, have finally revealed its layout next to the Temple of Apollo. 

[Picture from Daily Sabagh]

Remains of the original columns surfaced and were used in the restoration of the sanctuary. The project was successfully completed in November 2024. 

The temples of Apollo and Athena are again visible, standing side by side, a rare occurrence in the ancient world, although not unique. At Side, Apollo was closely associated with the city’s name, while Athena was considered to be the chief goddess assuring the prosperity of trade in the harbor. 

The restoration of the Temple of Athena clearly emphasizes the historical and religious significance of ancient Side. 

To provide a richer understanding of the city’s importance, plans exist to undertake the restoration of the shiny Temple of Apollo that suffered from exposure to all weather conditions over the past centuries. A very tempting prospect! 

Latest news from Patara

Excavations in Patara are still ongoing, making it one of those places that offer repeated surprises each time we visit. 

My first visit dates from 2007 (see: Wonderful Patara!) when I walked in and along part of the city’s aqueduct. By 2014, the Bouleuterion had been entirely cleared and opened to the lucky tourists (see: The world’s first parliament building). Next attention went to Patara’s lighthouse, which was built by Emperor Nero in 64 AD (see: Restoration plans for the lighthouse of Patara). 

Recently, archaeologists have located a row of 7-8 shops in the commercial area next to the Arch of Mettius Modestus, which fascinated me during my first visit. So far, one shop and the adjacent Stoa have been cleared, revealing some marble panels and coins. 

[Picture from Anatolian Archaeology]

The city gate was actually constructed around 100 AD to honor the first governor-general of Lycia and Pamphylia, administrator of Patara, C. Trebonius Proculus Mettius Modestus.  With its three arches, it is rather unique as the top of the construction holds a section of the aqueduct that brought water to Patara from a source some 22 kilometers away. The Roman architects were very imaginative indeed. 

Serious excavation plans in Termessos

Back in 2018, I shared the news about the restoration of Termessos’ city walls and the clearing of the ancient road that connected the city to ancient Attaleia (modern Antalya). 

Presently, more serious excavation works are being planned in Termessos. For a start, a monumental tomb that once held several marble sarcophagi will be pieced together using the scattered and now numbered blocks lying around. Apparently, all the original stones have been listed. Unfortunately, the Hurriyet Daily News does not disclose its location. 

I found the choice the archaeologists made to start with the monumental tomb quite surprising, ignoring the more obvious remains of the Theatre, the Temple of Hadrian, the Temple of Artemis, the Bouleuterion, the Agora, and other recognizable constructions. 

Next excavations will, however, focus on the Gate of Hadrian, hopefully extending to the nearby Temple of Artemis from the 2^nd century BC. Other necropolises, the aqueducts, and cisterns may also be included in this project. 

Until now, only the exceptional remains of the Tomb of Alcetas have been identified. This general, brother of Perdiccas, fought with Alexander in India, and died here in Termessos in 319 BC during the siege of the city in the War of the Diadochi. 

The beauty and challenge of Termessos is that its remains have been left mostly untouched and protected as part of the National Park of Güllük Dagi, with its rich diversity of fauna and flora.