PIRAEUS ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM

Located near the pretty Zea marina, this museum (Αρχαιολογικό Μουσείο Πειραιά/Archaiologiko Mousio Piraia) brings together finds from the Mycenaean era to the Roman Empire from Piraeus and the neighboring coasts. The entrance is guarded by a replica of the "Lion of Piraeus", a ^4th-century BC marble statue that was once the symbol of the port, before being stolen and installed in Venice in 1687. Spread over two levels, the ten rooms were in need of a facelift. But they are home to some marvels: the monumental tomb of the merchants Nikeratos and Polyxenos (c. 330 BC), instruments from the "Musician's Tomb" (c. 430 BC), a splendid bronze mask of a tragedian (c. 350 BC), an astonishing metrological relief (c. 430 BC), aC.), an astonishing metrological relief from Salamis... The latter is a slab engraved in the ^4th century B.C. giving the units of measurement used by Athenian sailors: the half-breast, the cubit, the empan (open hand) and the foot (30 cm). A ruler also indicates the correspondence with the ancient Doric foot (32.2 cm).

Four exceptional bronzes. The centerpieces are four beautiful and very rare bronze statues. Dating from different periods, they were brought together in Piraeus in the ^1st century AD. The almost intact "Athena of Piraeus" was probably produced in Delos around 350 BC. Standing 2.35 m tall, the goddess wears a warrior's helmet, a magnificently folded peplos (long tunic) and the aegis (mysterious weapon) in the form of a bandolier of snakes adorned with a Medusa head. Next comes the "Apollo of Piraeus", a kouros (young man) standing 1.92 m tall, perhaps also made in Delos. Although archaic in appearance, it dates from the ^2nd or ^1st century B.C. Finally, there are "the two Artemis of Piraeus". The larger (1.94 m), known as "Artemis A", may be the work of the Corinthian Euphranor. Dating from the ^mid-4th century BC, it has lost its bow and quiver, which was attached to its back with straps. In passing, the latter create beautiful folds and emphasize her chest. Note, too, her wavy hairstyle and chestnut-wood marble eyes. The smaller "Artemis B" (1.55 m), a little later and less well preserved, nevertheless retains her quiver and a... funny adolescent pout! Finally, the museum provides access to the remains of the ancient theater of Piraeus. Created under Macedonian rule, around 200 BC, this 66.5 m-diameter structure could seat around 4,000 spectators.