File:The sculptures of the Philopappos Monument.jpg

English: In the 2nd century A.D. a burial monument 12m. in height was erected on the hill of the Muses, which was since prevailed over the area. It takes its name from its founder Gaios Julius Philopappos, prince of Kommagene of Upper Syria and benefactor of Athens.

This monument is made of pentelic marble on a porous krepis. Its monumental curved façade facing the Acropolis is divided into two zones. The upper zone comprises three deep niches to support seated statues. In the central niche, Philopappos headless is depicted sitting on a throne with the inscription “Philopappos, son of Epiphanes, of the deme of Besa.” In the left niche according to the inscription “King Antiochos, son of King Antiochos”, the fragmentary figure of Philopappos’ grandfather is portrayed. According to the inscription which survived until the 15th c., the founder of the Seleucid dynasty: King Seleucus, son of Antiochos, Nikator” was depicted in the right niche. The lower zone is a relief freeze depicting Philopappos on a quadriga flanked by lictors. The burial chamber in the form of the naiskos which housed the Philopappos’ sarcophagus was behind the monument.

The monument survived intact until the 15th c. but gradually fell victim to vandalism and the elements. It was partly restored by the civil engineer N. Balanos in 1904.

Text: Information board next to the monument.