Kerameikos

The ancient Kerameikos was o the north-west fringes of ancient Athens and extended both inside and outside the walls which now traverse the site of the excavations. In the centre of of the site, very close to each other, can be seen the most famous gates of ancient Athens, the Dipylon and and the Sacred Gate. The area around these gates was the most ancient and largest cemetary known in Attica. It was also the burial site of the citizens honoured by the city of Athens. Kerameikos according to the traveller Pausanias, was named after Keramos, a hero of the deme of Kerameis. But most probably the name is due to a settlement of potters on the banks of the Eridanos river. (kerameikos: ceramic or having to do with ceramics or ceramists). The ancient demos of Kerameikos included an area much larger than the one excavated. It is believed that it stretched from the north-west limits of the Agora to the grove named after the hero Academos. Its tombs and stelae are what Kerameikos is mainly known for. Strolling around them you will have the chance to admire the marble bull inside the enclosure of the tomb of Dionysos from Kollytos and also the replica of the well known stele of Dexileos, placed where the orignal used to be and the stele of Hegeso. If you wish to see the original stelae as well as the other find from the excavation, you must walk to the Museum of Kerameikos near the Ermou street, a small square building around a countryyard.