File:The Choragic Monument of Lysicrates. 4th cent. B.C.jpg

English: The ancient Street of the Tripods connected the Ancient Agora with the Sanctuary and the Theatre of Dionysos. The tripods were the prizes awarded to the choregoi (sponsors) by the city for their victory in the dramatic contests of the Greet or “en Astei” (in the city) Dionysia. During the 5th cent. B.C. they stood on more elaborate buildings, usually resembling temples. The Lysikrates choragic monument was established in 335-334 B.C. The circular building rests on a square podium of poros stone, and consists of six Corinthian columns of Pentelic marble alternating with panels of Humetian marble. The monument is decorated with a marble freeze depicting scenes from the life of Dionysos. The upper surface of the monolithic roof was ornamented with carved leaves that ended at an acanthus-shaped base which supported the choragic tripod. In 1669 the monument and its surrounding area were incorporated into the Capuchin monastery, where Lord Byron, Chateubriand and others were later entertained. With the exception of the Lysicrates Monument, all the buildings of the monastery were destroyed in 1824 by the Omer Pasha. Athens, Greece. Text credit: Inscription at the archaeological site.