Monument of Lysicrates

The monument was built by the Athenian citizen Lysikrates in 335-334 B.C, on Tripodon Street in Plaka. According to the inscription engraved on the architrave of the monument, he erected it to commemorate the first prize received for the work he had sponsored in that year's eulogy competition. It is a circular building, placed on a square podium of poros stone. It has six Corinthian columns, made of white Pentelic marble. The monument is decorated with a frieze depicting scenes from the life of Dionysos, the god of wine. The upper surface of the monolithic roof was ornamented with carved leaves that ended at an acanthus-shaped base which supported the choregic tripod, not preserved today. The ancient monument - the younger Athenians also called it the "Lantern of Diogenes" - was incorporated in n the Capucin monastery during the 17th century and was used as a reading room. It is perhaps the best-preserved example of an ancient choragic monument. It stands out even today in the center of the small Lysikratous Square in the picturesque neighborhood of Plaka.