Hadrian's Library

Hadrian's Library
Βιβλιοθήκη του Αδριανού
West wall of the Library of Hadrian
West wall of the Library of Hadrian
Shown within Athens
Location Greece
Region Athens
Coordinates 37°58′32″N 23°43′34″E / 37.9755555556°N 23.7261111111°E / 37.9755555556; 23.7261111111Coordinates: 37°58′32″N 23°43′34″E / 37.9755555556°N 23.7261111111°E / 37.9755555556; 23.7261111111
Type Library
History
Material Marble
Founded 132 AD
Periods Classical era
Cultures Ancient Greece, Ancient Rome
Associated with Emperor Hadrian
Site notes
Ownership Public property
Management Minister for Culture
Public access Monastiraki station

Hadrian's Library was created by Roman Emperor Hadrian in AD 132 on the north side of the Acropolis of Athens.[1][2]

The building followed a typical Roman Forum architectural style, having only one entrance with a propylon of Corinthian order, a high surrounding wall with protruding niches (oikoi, exedrae) at its long sides, an inner courtyard surrounded by columns and a decorative oblong pool in the middle.[3] The library was on the eastern side where rolls of papyrus "books" were kept. Adjoining halls were used as reading rooms, and the corners served as lecture halls.

The library was seriously damaged by the Herulian invasion of 267 and repaired by the prefect Herculius in AD 407-412.[4] During Byzantine times, three churches were built at the site, the remains of which are preserved:

  • a tetraconch (5th century AD)
  • a three-aisled basilica (7th century), and
  • a simple cathedral (12th century), which was the first cathedral of the city, known as Megali Panagia.

Around the same period as the cathedral another church, Agios Asomatos sta Skalia, was built against the north facade, but it is not preserved.

References

  1. ↑ Choremi-Spetsieri, A. The Library of Hadrian at Athens: Recent Finds. Ostraka 4. pp. 137–147.
  2. ↑ "The Library of Hadrian". The Stoa Consortium. Retrieved 2009-02-19.
  3. ↑ "Library of Hadrian Description". PlanetWare. Retrieved 2009-02-19.
  4. ↑ "Hadrian's Library". Athens City Guide. Retrieved 2009-02-19.
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