‘What is the estimated age of the megalithic wall outside Athens known as the Pynx?’

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AI – ‘The megalithic (or Cyclopean) retaining wall at the Pnyx, the site of the Athenian democratic assembly, was constructed in phases, with key sections dating to the late 5th century B.C., and significant renovations around 330 B.C.. The massive, mortarless limestone block wall was built to hold a terrace, with some phases estimated from roughly 500 B.C. through the 4th century B.C.. 

Key Details and Usage Examples:

  • Purpose: The wall created a level, amphitheater-like space for the Ekklisia (Assembly) to hold meetings.
  • Construction: The wall uses massive, polygonal blocks, some weighing up to 60 tons, designed to support the hillside.
  • Phases: The Pnyx had three main construction periods: early 5th century B.C., late 5th century B.C., and the mid-4th century B.C..
  • Usage: It was the venue for speeches by figures like Pericles and Demosthenes. 

Synonyms and Associated Terms:

The site is located near the Acropolis on Pnyx Hill and remains a prominent example of ancient Greek civil engineering. ‘

So, it is over 6,000 years old.

Meanwhile, my journey into the distant past continues, as today I ordered copies of:

– ‘Moralia, Volume V: Isis and Osiris. The E at Delphi. The Oracles at Delphi No Longer Given in Verse. The Obsolescence of Oracles’ (Loeb Classical Library 306), by Plutarch.

– ‘Essays’ (Penguin Classics) Paperback, by Plutarch (Author), Ian Kidd (Editor, Introduction), Robin Waterfield (Translator).

– ‘The Rise And Fall of Athens: Nine Greek Lives: Theseus, Solon, Themistocles, Aristides, Cimon, Pericles, Nicias, Alcibiades, Lysander, with Excerpts from on the Malice of Herodotus’ (Penguin Classics), by Plutarch (Author), John Marincola (Translator), Ian Scott-Kilvert (Translator).