| Collections: Classics · Papyri · Renaissance · London · California · Upper Midwest · Chesapeake · Boyle · Tufts History |
| Configure display · Help · Tools · Copyright · FAQ · Publications · Collaborations · Support Perseus |
Building Catalog Name: Athens, State Prison
Images and Plans | Browse ImagesSite: Athens
Type: Prison
Summary: Almost rectangular building; just off the southwest corner of the Agora.
Date: 450 B.C.
Period: Classical
Plan:
A long hall that led back to a courtyard. Five almost square rooms off the west side of the hall and 3 off the east side. At the northeast corner near the entrance, was a group of 4 rooms, possibly with a 2nd story.
History:
The location of the building near the law courts, its plan of separate cells with an easily guarded single entrance, and its provisions for bathing provide all the necessities for an ancient prison. The excavation of a small statue of Socrates and a quantity of medicine bottles, likely vessels for the poisons used to execute prisoners, have led to the identification of this building as the State Prison, where Socrates was executed in 399 B.C.
Dimensions:
ca. 40 m x 17 m.
Other Bibliography:
Views:
1 Plan
| Archive Number | Caption |
|---|---|
| 1990.33.0091a | Plan |
34 Images
| Archive Number | Caption |
|---|---|
| 1990.33.0091a | Plan |
| 1990.20.0343 | Overall view of SW area of Agora with N side of the Prison in center, from W |
| 1990.20.0625 | Overall view of E and central section, from NW |
| 1990.20.0624 | Overall view of rooms A1 through A4, from NW |
| 1990.20.0615 | Overall view of central section, from S |
| 1990.20.0628 | Overall view, from SE |
| 1990.20.0620 | View across the great drain to the main rooms of Prison, from NW |
| 1990.20.0619 | View across the great drain to the S portion of Prison, from N |
| 1990.20.0347 | West area of Agora and Prison in center, from SW |
| 1990.20.0348 | Southwest area of Agora and the Prison in center, from W |
| 1990.20.0400 | Southwest area of the Agora, Prison to left, from N |
| 1990.20.0401 | Prison, from NW |
| 1990.20.0402 | Prison entrance, from NW |
| 1990.20.0605 | West wing of Prison (great drain at right), from NE |
| 1990.20.0622 | West side of building, from N |
| 1990.20.0616 | Rooms 3W and 4W, from S |
| 1990.20.0618 | Rooms 4W and 5W of Prison (street in background), from S |
| 1990.20.0607 | East side of the building, from NW |
| 1990.20.0623 | East side of building, from NW |
| 1990.20.0614 | Rooms 1E and 2E in foreground, from SE |
| 1990.20.0609 | East rooms and rear courtyard, from NE |
| 1990.20.0608 | North part of the building, from E |
| 1990.20.0606 | Central hall, from N |
| 1990.20.0617 | Rooms 1W and 2W; courtyard in background, from N |
| 1990.20.0612 | Rooms A1 and A2, from S |
| 1990.20.0611 | Rooms A3 and A4, from SW |
| 1990.20.0610 | Rooms A3 and A4, from N |
| 1990.20.0627 | Rooms A2 and A3, from NW |
| 1990.20.0626 | Room A2 and SE section of building, from NW |
| 1990.20.0621 | View across the great drain to N section of Prison, from W |
| 1990.20.0613 | Courtyard (and excavation debris pile), from E |
| 1990.20.0400 | Southwest area of the Agora, Prison to left, from N |
| 1990.20.0348 | Southwest area of Agroa and the Prison in center, from W |
| 1990.20.0605 | West wing of Prison (great drain at right), from NE |