The Hill of the Muses - Philopappos Hill Page 2

The tomb is made of Pentelic marble, more than 12 m high, and richly decorated with sculpture. The frieze shows Philopappos as consul in his chariot, while a statue in the central niche depicts him as Athenian citizen. The left niche contains a statue of his grandfather Antiochus IV Epiphanes, the last king of Commagene, who was overthrown by Romans in 72 AD. The third statue is missing. Inscriptions in Greek list Philopappos’ princely titles, inscriptions in Latin the public offices he fulfilled as a Roman citizen.

Other remains on the Mousion Hill include traces of the early 5th century BC city wall, built under Themistokles, an ancient road with wheel ruts and Classical house remains. The latter often come in the form of rock-cuttings and cisterns, which were re-used as tombs in the Roman period. One of the rock-cuttings is – incorrectly – labeled ‘Socrates’ prison’. A more probable example of a Classical prison can be found in the ancient Agora.

Access: free. No facilities.

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