Arch of Hadrian, with Temple of Olympian Zeus, Athens

This arch marks the boundary between the old city and the new city founded by the Roman emperor Hadrian. It was built in 132 AD, the year of the dedication of the Temple of Olympian Zeus, in honor of the emperor's many gifts to Athens. This facade, which looks towards the Acropolis, is inscribed, "This is Athens, the ancient city of Theseus." On the other side, facing the temple, the inscription reads, "This is the city of Hadrian and not of Theseus." In the eighteenth century the arch was incorporated by the Turks into the fortifications surrounding the city, remains of which can be seen on the second story. These additions fell in 1861.