The Hellenistic Acropolis (323-86 BC)
During the Hellenistic period the monuments on the Acropolis retain their function. Minimal changes are observed in the buildings, but the offerings, mainly sculptures, are increasing.
Panoramic view of the Acropolis and its south slope. In the foreground is the Stoa of Eumenes. Between the stoa and the theatre of Dionysus is the choragic monument of Nikias.
Hellenistic additions to the Acropolis
Only a few changes took place on the rock of the Acropolis during the Hellenistic period. The only new building was the wing extension added in the eastern gallery of the Stoa of Artemis Brauronia. Also, many sculptures-offerings were erected by the kings of hellenistic kingdoms.
The most important of them were the statues depicting the war between Greeks and Gauls, a gift to Athens by the king of Pergamon Attalus I. Many Roman marble copies of these statues can be found in several museums around Europe. This work (copies a bigger one erected in Pergamon) was set up south of the Parthenon next to the wall between 230-220 BC. Other important statues were the two tethrippa (four horse chariots) set up on gigantic pillars. One of those was a dedication from the king of Pergamon, Eumenes II for his victory in the Panathinaic games (178 BC) and it was located west of the Pinakotheke of Propylaea where the big pedestal is still visible today. Another one, almost similar to the previous, was erected in north-eastern side of Parthenon covering that corner of the temple. It was dedicated either to Eumenes II or Attalus II. The same type of tethrippon, with the pillar-pedestal, was set up at the same period in front of the Stoa of Attalus in the Agora.
The Stoa of Artemis Brauronia with the new stoa on the left.
The tethrippon of Propylaea. In the end of the 1st century BC the initial inscription was erased and the monument was dedicated anew to Marcus Agrippa, general and son in law of Octavian Augustus.
The tethrippon at the NE corner of the Parthenon. It was a dedication from Eumenes II or Attalos II but in 31 BC was rededicated to Octavian Augustus.
The Acropolis South Slope the 2nd century BC
A lot of work took place in the southern side of the Acropolis. Many new choragic monuments were built. The most important was the one of Nikias. It was built in 319 BC and had the form of a small temple. In 170 BC Eumenes II of Pergamon built the homonymous stoa. The Stoa of Eumenes offered protection to the spectators of the Dionysus Theatre from bad weather. It was a two-storey Doric building.
The stoa of Eumenes (170 BC) was 163 metres long and 17.65 metres wide. It was probably destroyed by the invasion of the Heruli in 267 AD. Its material was used for the Late Roman wall of the city.
The monument of Nikias next to the Stoa of Eumenes near the eastern end of Eumenes' Stoa. According to the inscription written on the entablature, it was constructed by the theatrical choregos (sponsor) Nikias son of Nikodemos during the administration of Neaichmos (319 BC). In 237 AD its parts were used for the construction of a new Roman Acrpolis gate (gate Beulé) that still exists in perfect condition.
