Athens - Prytaneion

Circular building situated on the west side of the Agora. It was built around 465 BC on top of the remains of Prytanikon, a previous civic building of the third quarter of the 6th century BC. In this Tholos, which was also known as "Skias" (=shading), resided the body of Prytaneis. These 50 representatives of each Athens tribe were exercising the highest executive authority for a tenth of each year (35-36 days). The prototype measures and standards of the city were kept in this building. According to oral tradition, it contained the official banqueting room for the Prytaneis. The building, 18 meters in diameter, had one entrance, a cone-shaped roof and an interior collonade. In the center there was an altar, where sacrifices may have taken place. The excavation findings prove that the building was destroyed and rebuilt several times. During the Roman period, a four- column portico was added το the building.