The triumphal arch lies on an ancient street that led from the old city of Athens to the new, Roman section, built by Hadrian. It was constructed by the Athenians in A.D. 131, in honor of their benefactor emperor. Two inscriptions are carved on the architrave, one on each side: the first, on the side towards the Acropolis reads "This is Athens, the ancient city of Theseus"; the second, on the other side, facing the new city reads "This is the city of Hadrian and not of Theseus".
The central arched opening of the monument is supported by pilasters crowned with Corinthian capitals. Similar, but taller pilasters flank the outer corners. The arch is crowned by a series of Corinthian columns and pilasters, with an Ionic architrave at the ends, and an entablature with a triangular pediment in the middle. The whole monument is made of Pentelic marble.
The Arch of Hadrian is a monumental gateway resembling – in some respects - a Roman triumphal arch which spanned an ancient road from the center of Athens to the complex of structures on the eastern side of the city including the Temple of Olympian Zeus.
Two arches of the same scale and design were constructed at the sanctuary of Demeter and Kore at Eleusis later in the 2nd century CE and dedicated to an emperor (perhaps Marcus Aurelius) by the Panhellenes.
the Arch of Trajan at Benevento or the Arch of Constantine in Rome.
The Arch of Hadrian is a triumphal arch which lies on an ancient street (Amalias Avenue) that led from the old city of Athens to the new, Roman section, built by Hadrian.
The central arched opening of the monument is supported by pilasters crowned with Corinthian capitals.
The arch is crowned by a series of Corinthian columns and pilasters, with an Ionic architrave at the ends, and an entablature with a triangular pediment in the middle.
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