Irlandos at 12:12, February 3, 2006

2006-02-03T12:12:21Z

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The '''Tower of the Winds''', also called ''horologion'' (timepiece), ([[Greek language|Greek]]: "Αέρηδες" or "Ωρολόγιο του Ανδρόνικου του Κυρρήστου") is an octagonal Pentelic marble tower on the Roman ''agora'' in [[Athens]]. It was supposedly built by [[Andronicus of Cyrrhus]] around [[50 BC]], but according to other sources might have been constructed in the [[2nd century BC]] before the rest of the forum.

The 12 m tall structure has a diameter of about 8 m and was topped in antiquity by a weathervane-like [[Triton (god)|Triton]] that indicated the wind direction. Below the frieze depicting the eight wind deities — [[Boreas]] (N), [[Kaikias]] (NE), [[Eurus]] (E), [[Apeliotes]] (SE), [[Notus]] (S), [[Lips]] (SW), [[Zephyrus]] (W), and [[Skiron]] (NW) — there are nine sundials. In its interior, there was a water clock (or clepsydra), driven by water coming down from the [[Acropolis, Athens|Acropolis]].

In early Christian times, the building was used as the bell tower of a [[Byzantine Church]]. It was partly buried in the ground until it was fully excavated in the [[19th century]] by the [[Greek Archaeological Society]].

{{Credit wikipedia}}

[[Category:Ancient Greek structures]]
[[Category:Towers in Greece]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Athens]]

Tower of the Winds - Revision history

Irlandos at 12:12, February 3, 2006