About Arch of Hadrian

This monumental gateway was allegedly constructed to commemorate the arrival of Roman Emperor Hadrian to Athens. The Arch of Hadrian, aka Hadrian's Gate, once spanned an ancient road from the center of Athens to a complex of structures that included the Temple of Olympian Zeus. Its inscriptions relate that it was also intended as a dividing point between the ancient and Roman city. The arch’s northwest frieze reads, "This is Athens, the Ancient city of Theseus" whereas the southeast frieze states, "This is the city of Hadrian, and not of Theseus."