Academy of Athens (modern)
The Academy of Athens is Greece's national academy, and the highest research establishment in the country. It was established in 1926, with its founding principle tracing back to the historical Academy of Plato, and operates under the supervision of the Ministry of Education. The Academy's main building is one of the major landmarks of Athens.
The main building of the Academy of Athens, one of Theophil Hansen's "Trilogy" in central Athens.
Panoramic view
Statue of Socrates with the Apollo column in the background (by sculptor Leonidas Drosis)
Detail of stone carving (architectural term: Acroterion) of Sphinx on the facade
The Academy, variously known as Plato's Academy, the Platonic Academy, and the Academic School, was founded at Athens by Plato circa 387 BC. Aristotle studied there for twenty years before founding his own school, the Lyceum. The Academy persisted throughout the Hellenistic period as a skeptical school, until coming to an end after the death of Philo of Larissa in 83 BC. The Platonic Academy was destroyed by the Roman dictator Sulla in 86 BC.
Plato's Academy mosaic – from the Villa of T. Siminius Stephanus in Pompeii.
The School of Athens by Raphael (1509–1510), fresco at the Apostolic Palace, Vatican City.
The archaeological site of Plato's academy.
Ancient road to the Academy.
