Delphi, Gymnasium (Building)
Two-level complex of athletic buildings located between the Sanctuary of Athena Pronaia (Marmaria) and the Sanctuary of Apollo.
- ID:
- aa_146
- Type:
- Building
- Date:
- ca. -400 — ca. -300
- Period:
- Late Clas./Hell.
- Context:
- Delphi
- Region:
- Phocis
- Dimensions:
-
Palaestra court: 14.5 m x 14.5 m; plunge bath diameter: ca. 10.6 m; plunge bath depth: 1.9 m deep; covered colonnade: 184 m x 7 m; track: 173 m.
- Type:
- Gymnasium
Plan
Upper level, a roofed Doric colonnade with a parallel track. The Palaestra, a peristyle court, was a level lower on the southeast and the Baths were on the same level immediately west of the Palaestra.
History
The steep slope required that the Gymnasium be constructed on different levels. The covered colonnade was for exercise during inclement weather. Much of the Gymnasium was rebuilt by the Romans, who also added hot baths to the earlier cold water ones. The Gymnasium was also used for presentations of poetry, lectures and other educational activities.
