Hadrian's Library

To the north of the Roman Agora, was situated the Library of Hadrian, which was an immense Complex dating from the reign of Hadrian. The Structure, which lies at the very heart of the 'city of Theseus', was built in 132 AD. The impressive Corinthian façade, preceded by a tetrastyle propylon, faces the Areos Way. The building had four porticos and it resembled a forum-like Structure, it was heavily ornamented and richly constructed. The peristyle courtyard had a long natatio (pool) at the Center, and was surrounded by 100 Columns. To the east, in the Center, was the library hall, featuring niches intended to hold papyrus rolls and bound parchment tomes. The central niches were probably intended to house statues of divinities and emperors. The rooms to the sides were used for philosophical discussions and study. In 267 AD the library was destroyed during the raid of the Heruli. The remains were incorporated into the Late Roman Wall. In the Christian era three successive churches were built on the site.