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The Lyceum (Λύκειον) is an archaeological site where Aristotle founded the Peripatetic school of philosophy. It’s located in Athens a short walk east of Syntagma Square.
Visiting the Lyceum
The Lyceum is open daily. Although it’s one of the most important sites in the history of humankind, there’s not much to see. However, for those deeply interested in philosophy, archaeology, and ancient history, it’s definitely worth a visit.
Admission from April 1 through October 31, is at the full rate of €4, and from November 1 through March 31, it’s at a 50% reduced rate of €2 (as of October 2024). Upon presentation of a passport or valid travel document: all visitors up to the age of 5 and EU citizens from age 6-25 are admitted free of charge; and EU seniors over age 65 and non-EU citizens from age 6-25 are admitted at the 50% reduced rate (summer months only). Check the official website for more info.
You can also visit the Lyceum on a €30 combo ticket that allows access to several other archaeological sites in Athens, including the Acropolis (as of October 2024). The combo ticket is only worth buying from April through October.
History of the Lyceum
The Lyceum was originally a sanctuary to the wolf-god Apollo Lyceus and was located outside the city wall to the east. It held three functions: a training area, a meeting place for philosophical discussions, and an area for cult activities. The original construction date is unknown, but it functioned until the early 4th century.
The site hosted Athenian Assembly meetings until they moved to the Pnyx in the 5th century BC. It also held military exercises. Socrates (c. 470 – 399 BC), Protagoras (c. 490 – c. 420 BC), and Prodicus of Chios (c. 465 – c. 395 BC) used to visit the Lyceum in the 5th century BC to teach and discuss philosophy.
The gymnasium was thought to have been built by either Peisistratos (c. 600 – 527 BC) in the 6th century BC or Pericles (c. 495 – 429 BC) in the 5th century BC. The palaestra was built in the second half of the 4th century BC and contains the remains of a cistern and a well.
In the palaestra, athletes would train in wrestling, boxing, and pankration (a mixed form of wrestling and boxing). It had an open court in the center measuring 23 x 26 meters surrounded by porticoes on three sides. A cold bath was added in the 1st century during the Roman period.
Aristotle
In the 4th century BC, the first philosophical schools were founded in gymnasia. The Peripatetic school of philosophy was founded at the Lyceum by Aristotle (384-322 BC) in 334 BC. He taught there for 12 years until he fled Athens in 322 BC. Philosophy was taught in the morning and rhetoric was taught in the early evening. Athenian men and boys would attend the school as part of their military service.
Aristotle also founded a library at the Lyceum. Alexander the Great was a major contributor, sending papyrus scrolls and plant and animal specimens from his conquests. This allowed Aristotle to establish the first zoo and botanical garden in recorded history.
Aristotle’s Lyceum lasted until 86 BC, when Roman general Sulla (138-78 BC) conquered Athens. Sulla shipped Aristotle’s entire library to Rome, and about 20% was lost on the journey. The Lyceum was re-established by Andronicus of Rhodes in the 1st century BC and flourished until 267, when the Heruli and Goths sacked Athens.
Discovery
The archaeological site was discovered in 1996 during an excavation to build the National Museum of Contemporary Art. The site opened to the public in 2009. Also at the site are the remains of a 19th century that was demolished in the 1960s.
