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Modern Description: A fine small amphiprostyle Ionic temple, similar to the Athena Nike but slightly larger (7.4 x 14.2m) and earlier, dated between 450 and 430 BCE, survived until the late 18th century on a terraced slope on the S bank of the Ilissos, revamped as a church of Panagia stin Petra. Dismantled by 1778 by the bishop of Athens for building stone, it survives in drawings by Stuart and Revett, then perched precariously on a rock. Since the 19th century the site has been excavated and built over, making the original topography almost unrecognizable. Reexcavation (punctuated by fierce legal battles) between 2004 and 2014 conducted with the aim of releasing the land to its well-connected owners to build a hotel with Acropolis view, uncovered E of the Ionic temple site the rock-cut foundation trenches and a few foundation blocks of a larger, earlier Doric temple, previously unknown, along with Late Roman vaulted graves to add to the Christian graves known from earlier excavations E of the Ionic temple foundation. On Ardittou St. just below the site survives a stretch of the classical retaining wall lowest courses, built to support the earlier Doric temple. In 2018 the area was a fenced wasteland hidden by vandalized sheetmetal. An inscription refers to Zeus Meilichios, who along with Demeter (the Lesser Mysteries) and Artemis Agrotera was worshiped in Agrai, this area. Any identification of the temples, however, is purely speculative. For a ground plan from the Skias excavation (1897), see artemisagrotera.org
[Judith Binder: Artemis: Artemis Agrotera, Ionic temple on the Ilissos left bank, ca. 435 B.C., southern edge of Ardittou Blvd. west of Thomopoulou St.: Paus. 1.19.6; Travlos, J. 1971, 112-120, figs. 154 no. 151, 156-163; E. Lygouri-Tolia, «Ανασκαφικη έρευνα στο χώρο του ναου' της Αρτέμιδος Αγροτέρας (οδοί Αρδηττού-Κούτουλα-Κεφάλου-Θωμοπούλου στο Μετζ),» Deltion 49 (1994) B1 Chr., 36-38; Childs, W. A. P. 1985, 207-251 with figs. 2, 5 and pls. 43-45; Mark, I. S. 1993, 82-83 with note 64, 84, 119-120; see Chr. Mon. CM34*; cf. Mother of the Gods]
Wikidata ID: Q20084335
Trismegistos Geo: 364

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(JBK)

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