T
Ionic capital from the Temple of Rome and Augustus in Athens imitating the Erechteum Ionic capital

Temple Of Rome And Augustus

Athens, Greece

Temple of Rome and Augustus, Athens: Comprehensive Guide to Visiting Hours, Tickets, and Historical Insights

Date: 14/06/2025

Introduction

The Temple of Rome and Augustus, set within Athens’ iconic Acropolis, is a unique monument that reveals the city’s nuanced relationship with the Roman Empire and its cultural evolution. Constructed around 19 BCE during the reign of Augustus—the first Roman emperor—this small yet significant temple stands apart for its rare circular monopteros design, consisting of nine Ionic columns made from Pentelic marble. The temple’s creation marked a pivotal moment for Athens, symbolizing both political allegiance to Rome and the integration of imperial cult worship into a sacred Greek precinct (Ancient Athens 3D; madainproject.com).

Today, the Temple of Rome and Augustus offers visitors not only a glimpse into ancient architectural innovation but also a chance to engage with the complex layers of history, religion, and politics that shaped Athens during the early Roman imperial period. This guide provides detailed information on the temple’s history, architectural features, visiting hours, ticketing, accessibility, and tips for making the most of your experience. It also highlights nearby attractions, ensuring a holistic journey through one of Athens’ lesser-known but culturally significant landmarks.

Table of Contents

  1. Historical Background and Cultural Significance
  2. Architectural Features and Placement
  3. Religious and Political Significance
  4. Visitor Information: Hours, Tickets, and Accessibility
  5. Nearby Attractions and Suggested Itineraries
  6. Visuals and Photography Tips
  7. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
  8. Summary and Recommendations
  9. References

Historical Background and Cultural Significance

The Temple of Rome and Augustus was constructed during a period when Athens forged a new identity under Roman rule. While the Romans made relatively restrained interventions on the Acropolis compared to previous eras, the temple stands as their most significant contribution. Built around 19 BCE, it was both a political gesture—expressing gratitude and loyalty to Augustus—and a religious innovation, as it honored both the emperor and the goddess Roma (Ancient Athens 3D).

This temple’s presence on the Acropolis—a space traditionally reserved for Greek deities—reflects the city’s pragmatic adaptation to imperial realities. The dedication to Augustus as “Savior” (Soter), evidenced by contemporary inscriptions, confirms the establishment of an imperial cult in Athens and marks a turning point in the city’s spiritual life (Ancient Athens 3D).


Architectural Features and Placement

The Temple of Rome and Augustus was designed as a monopteros, a circular temple without an enclosed chamber, featuring nine Ionic columns—unusual in Athenian architecture. Measuring 8.6 meters in diameter and about 7.3 meters high, it was crafted from Pentelic marble, the same material as the Parthenon.

Its location is thought to be approximately 23 meters east of the Parthenon, intentionally positioned for visibility and symbolic integration into the sacred topography. This placement connected the new imperial cult with Athens’ revered classical traditions, while the temple’s modest scale ensured it complemented rather than rivaled its grand neighbors (Ancient Athens 3D; madainproject.com).


Religious and Political Significance

The temple’s dual dedication to Augustus and Roma was unprecedented in Athens and indicative of broader changes across the Roman world. Augustus was deified and celebrated as a divine benefactor, while Roma personified the strength and unity of the Roman state. The existence of a priesthood for the imperial cult on the Acropolis is confirmed by inscriptions found nearby (Ancient Athens 3D).

By venerating both emperor and empire, Athens secured imperial favor and resources, while negotiating its place within the new order. The temple thus became a focal point for ceremonies blending Greek religious forms with Roman innovations, illustrating the adaptive nature of Athenian identity.


Visitor Information: Hours, Tickets, and Accessibility

Visiting Hours

  • Summer (April–October): 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM (last entry at 7:30 PM)
  • Winter (November–March): 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM (last entry at 4:30 PM)
  • Hours may vary due to weather or special events. Always check the official Acropolis website before your visit.

Tickets

  • Standard adult ticket: €30 (summer), €15 (winter)
  • Reduced ticket: €15 (summer) for EU citizens aged 18–25
  • Free entry: Under 18s, EU students, and certain other categories
  • Tickets cover entry to the entire Acropolis site, including the Temple of Rome and Augustus
  • Purchase tickets online in advance to avoid queues (etickets.tap.gr; welcome-greece.gr)

Accessibility

  • The Acropolis has ramps and handrails, with improved pathways for visitors with reduced mobility. However, the area around the Temple of Rome and Augustus remains rugged and may be challenging for some.
  • For detailed accessibility information, consult the official site.

Guided Tours and Apps

  • Guided tours of the Acropolis often include the Temple of Rome and Augustus.
  • Audio guides and augmented reality apps like Ancient Athens 3D enhance the visitor experience.
  • Special events and educational programs may be available; check local listings for details.

Nearby Attractions and Suggested Itineraries

  • Within the Acropolis: Parthenon, Erechtheion, Temple of Athena Nike, Propylaea
  • Nearby: Acropolis Museum, Ancient Agora, Roman Agora, Theatre of Dionysos
  • Travel Tips: Wear sturdy shoes, bring water and sun protection, and visit early or late in the day to avoid crowds (earthtrekkers.com; neverendingfootsteps.com).

Visuals and Photography Tips

  • The temple’s remains include a circular foundation, column drums, and an inscribed architrave—ideal subjects for thoughtful photography.
  • Best light is during early morning or late afternoon.
  • Use the temple’s ruins as a foreground for panoramic shots of the Acropolis and cityscape.
  • Interactive digital reconstructions are available online (Ancient Athens 3D).

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I visit the Temple of Rome and Augustus separately?
No, access is via the Acropolis archaeological site and included in the Acropolis ticket.

Are there guided tours focused on the temple?
Most Acropolis tours include the temple. For more detail, consider using an audio guide or specialized app.

Is the site accessible to all visitors?
Partial accessibility is provided, but uneven terrain remains a challenge in some areas.

When is the best time to visit?
Early mornings and late afternoons are optimal for fewer crowds and comfortable temperatures.

Are there nearby museums with related exhibits?
Yes, the Acropolis Museum at the foot of the hill offers extensive displays on the site’s history and Roman-era artifacts.


Summary and Recommendations

The Temple of Rome and Augustus is a modest but evocative monument that encapsulates Athens’ transformation under Roman rule. Its unique circular design, strategic placement, and dual dedication make it an important symbol of cultural fusion. While only fragments survive, the site offers an immersive historical experience, especially when paired with guided tours, digital reconstructions, and visits to the Acropolis Museum.
For the best experience:

  • Purchase tickets in advance and plan your visit early or late in the day.
  • Use audio guides or apps for deeper context.
  • Combine your visit with other Acropolis and central Athens attractions.
  • Prepare for uneven terrain and bring sun protection.

For updates, ticketing, and digital resources, download the Audiala app and follow our channels for the latest in Athens historical site exploration.


References


Experience the enduring dialogue between Greek tradition and Roman innovation at the Temple of Rome and Augustus—an essential stop on your journey through the heart of ancient Athens.

Visit The Most Interesting Places In Athens

Academy Of Athens Library
Academy Of Athens Library
Acropolis Western Hills
Acropolis Western Hills
Aerides Bath
Aerides Bath
Agios Panteleimon Church, Ilissos
Agios Panteleimon Church, Ilissos
Aiolou Street
Aiolou Street
Akadimias Street
Akadimias Street
Alexandros Papadiamantis
Alexandros Papadiamantis
Alma Theatre
Alma Theatre
Altar Of Athena Polias
Altar Of Athena Polias
Altar Of The Twelve Gods
Altar Of The Twelve Gods
Amalias Avenue
Amalias Avenue
Ancient Agora Of Athens
Ancient Agora Of Athens
Angelon Vima
Angelon Vima
Antitheatro
Antitheatro
Apo Michanis Theatre
Apo Michanis Theatre
Aqueduct Of Hadrian In Athens
Aqueduct Of Hadrian In Athens
Arch Of Hadrian
Arch Of Hadrian
Archaeological Society Of Athens
Archaeological Society Of Athens
Areopagus
Areopagus
Argo Theatre
Argo Theatre
Armenia (Khachkar), Athens
Armenia (Khachkar), Athens
Arrephorion
Arrephorion
Athena Promachos
Athena Promachos
Athens
Athens
Athens Concert Hall
Athens Concert Hall
Athens Conservatoire
Athens Conservatoire
Athens Klepsydra Well
Athens Klepsydra Well
Athens Olympic Tennis Centre
Athens Olympic Tennis Centre
Athens Olympic Velodrome
Athens Olympic Velodrome
Athens Polytechnic Uprising
Athens Polytechnic Uprising
Athens University Museum
Athens University Museum
Athens University Of Economics And Business
Athens University Of Economics And Business
Athens War Museum
Athens War Museum
Attis Theatre
Attis Theatre
Bagkeion Mansion
Bagkeion Mansion
Basil & Elise Goulandris Foundation Museum, Athens
Basil & Elise Goulandris Foundation Museum, Athens
Benaki Museum
Benaki Museum
Benizelos Mansion
Benizelos Mansion
Bouleuterion
Bouleuterion
Bust Of Aristotle Valaoritis
Bust Of Aristotle Valaoritis
Bust Of Dionisios Solomos
Bust Of Dionisios Solomos
Bust Of Jean Moreas
Bust Of Jean Moreas
Bust Of Lela Karagianni, Athens
Bust Of Lela Karagianni, Athens
Bust Of Spyridon Samaras
Bust Of Spyridon Samaras
Caves Of Apollo, Zeus And Pan
Caves Of Apollo, Zeus And Pan
Centre For The Study Of Traditional Pottery
Centre For The Study Of Traditional Pottery
Chicago Athenaeum
Chicago Athenaeum
Choragic Monument Of Lysicrates
Choragic Monument Of Lysicrates
Choragic Monument Of Thrasyllos
Choragic Monument Of Thrasyllos
Constantine I Of Greece
Constantine I Of Greece
Daphni Monastery
Daphni Monastery
Davelis Cave
Davelis Cave
Demosion Sema
Demosion Sema
Diana Theatre, Athens
Diana Theatre, Athens
Dipylon
Dipylon
Eleftherios Venizelos Historical Museum
Eleftherios Venizelos Historical Museum
Eleftherios Venizelos (Statue)
Eleftherios Venizelos (Statue)
Eleusinion
Eleusinion
Ellie Lambeti (Bust)
Ellie Lambeti (Bust)
Embassy Of Germany, Athens
Embassy Of Germany, Athens
Embassy Of Norway, Athens
Embassy Of Norway, Athens
Embassy Of Slovenia, Athen
Embassy Of Slovenia, Athen
Embassy Of South Korea, Athens
Embassy Of South Korea, Athens
Embassy Of Sweden, Athens
Embassy Of Sweden, Athens
|
  Embassy Of The People'S Republic Of China, Athens
| Embassy Of The People'S Republic Of China, Athens
Embassy Of The United States, Athens
Embassy Of The United States, Athens
Enneakrounos
Enneakrounos
Epigraphical Museum
Epigraphical Museum
Erechtheion
Erechtheion
Evangelos Zappas
Evangelos Zappas
Fethiye Mosque, Athens
Fethiye Mosque, Athens
Frankish Tower
Frankish Tower
Frissiras Museum
Frissiras Museum
General Confederation Of Greek Workers
General Confederation Of Greek Workers
General State Archives
General State Archives
George Karaiskakis Statue, Athens
George Karaiskakis Statue, Athens
Giorgakis Olympios
Giorgakis Olympios
Gloria Theatre, Athens
Gloria Theatre, Athens
Greece Crowns Byron
Greece Crowns Byron
Hall Of The Academy Of Athens
Hall Of The Academy Of Athens
Harilaos Trikoupis
Harilaos Trikoupis
Harokopio University Of Athens
Harokopio University Of Athens
Hekatompedon Temple
Hekatompedon Temple
Heliaia
Heliaia
|
  Hellenic Children'S Museum
| Hellenic Children'S Museum
Hellenic Motor Museum
Hellenic Motor Museum
Hellinikon Stadium
Hellinikon Stadium
Heroum Of Musaeus, Athens
Heroum Of Musaeus, Athens
Ilias Lalaounis Jewelry Museum
Ilias Lalaounis Jewelry Museum
Ilion Municipality
Ilion Municipality
Imia Memorial
Imia Memorial
Ioannis Makriyannis
Ioannis Makriyannis
Ioannis Varvakis
Ioannis Varvakis
Jewish Museum Of Greece
Jewish Museum Of Greece
José De San Martín
José De San Martín
José Gervasio Artigas
José Gervasio Artigas
José Martí
José Martí
Karaiskaki Square (Athens)
Karaiskaki Square (Athens)
Karytsi Square
Karytsi Square
Kerameikos
Kerameikos
Kerameikos Archaeological Museum
Kerameikos Archaeological Museum
Kifisia Municipality
Kifisia Municipality
Klafthmonos Square
Klafthmonos Square
Konstantinos P. Cavafy
Konstantinos P. Cavafy
Konstantinos Zappas
Konstantinos Zappas
Kontopigado Site
Kontopigado Site
Kostas Perrikos
Kostas Perrikos
Kostis Palamas
Kostis Palamas
Library Of Pantainus
Library Of Pantainus
Lyceum
Lyceum
Maria Callas Museum
Maria Callas Museum
Maximos Mansion
Maximos Mansion
Melina Mercouri (Bust)
Melina Mercouri (Bust)
Memorial To The National Resistance, Koukaki
Memorial To The National Resistance, Koukaki
Metroon
Metroon
Metropolitan Cathedral Of Athens
Metropolitan Cathedral Of Athens
Monument Of Nikias
Monument Of Nikias
Monument Of The Eponymous Heroes
Monument Of The Eponymous Heroes
Mount Lycabettus
Mount Lycabettus
Mousouri Theatre
Mousouri Theatre
Municipal Gallery Of Athens
Municipal Gallery Of Athens
Museum Of Anthropology, University Of Athens
Museum Of Anthropology, University Of Athens
Museum Of Cycladic Art
Museum Of Cycladic Art
Museum Of Greek Children Art
Museum Of Greek Children Art
Museum Of Greek Folk Art
Museum Of Greek Folk Art
Museum Of Greek Folk Musical Instruments
Museum Of Greek Folk Musical Instruments
Museum Of Illusions
Museum Of Illusions
Museum Of The Ancient Agoraha-3019
Museum Of The Ancient Agoraha-3019
Museum Of The Antidictatorship Democratic Resistance
Museum Of The Antidictatorship Democratic Resistance
Museum Of The Bank Of Greece
Museum Of The Bank Of Greece
Museum Of The City Of Athens (Foundation Vourou-Eutaxia)
Museum Of The City Of Athens (Foundation Vourou-Eutaxia)
Museum Of The History Of The Greek Costume
Museum Of The History Of The Greek Costume
National And Kapodistrian University Of Athens
National And Kapodistrian University Of Athens
National Archaeological Museum Of Athens
National Archaeological Museum Of Athens
National Library Of Greece
National Library Of Greece
National Museum Of Contemporary Art
National Museum Of Contemporary Art
National Observatory Of Athens
National Observatory Of Athens
National Reconciliation Monument
National Reconciliation Monument
National Theatre Of Greece - Ziller Building
National Theatre Of Greece - Ziller Building
Numismatic Museum Of Athens
Numismatic Museum Of Athens
Odeon Of Pericles
Odeon Of Pericles
Odysseas Elytis (Statue)
Odysseas Elytis (Statue)
Old National Printing Office Of Greece
Old National Printing Office Of Greece
Old Parliament House
Old Parliament House
Old Royal Palace
Old Royal Palace
Older Parthenon
Older Parthenon
Palataki, Chaidari
Palataki, Chaidari
Pallas Theatre
Pallas Theatre
Panagis Athanase Vagliano
Panagis Athanase Vagliano
Panathenaic Way
Panathenaic Way
Pandroseion
Pandroseion
Panepistimiou Street
Panepistimiou Street
Panteion University
Panteion University
Parnassos Literary Society
Parnassos Literary Society
Paul And Alexandra Canellopoulos Museum
Paul And Alexandra Canellopoulos Museum
Pedestal Of Agrippa
Pedestal Of Agrippa
Pelasgic Wall
Pelasgic Wall
Perserschutt
Perserschutt
Pompeion
Pompeion
Propylaea Of Athens
Propylaea Of Athens
Rabbithole Art & Performance Space
Rabbithole Art & Performance Space
Rigas Velestinlis
Rigas Velestinlis
Sacred Gate
Sacred Gate
Sanctuary Of Pandion
Sanctuary Of Pandion
Sanctuary Of Zeus Polieus
Sanctuary Of Zeus Polieus
Socrates (Statue)
Socrates (Statue)
St. Gregory The Illuminator Cathedral, Athens
St. Gregory The Illuminator Cathedral, Athens
Stadiou Street
Stadiou Street
Statue Of Adamantios Corais, Athens
Statue Of Adamantios Corais, Athens
Statue Of Alexandros Panagoulis
Statue Of Alexandros Panagoulis
Statue Of George Averof, Athens
Statue Of George Averof, Athens
Statue Of George Canning, Athens
Statue Of George Canning, Athens
Stoa Basileios
Stoa Basileios
Stoa Of Eumenes
Stoa Of Eumenes
Stoa Of Zeus
Stoa Of Zeus
Stoa Poikile
Stoa Poikile
Strategeion
Strategeion
Synagogue In The Agora Of Athens
Synagogue In The Agora Of Athens
Syntagma Metro Station Archaeological Collection
Syntagma Metro Station Archaeological Collection
Syntagma Square
Syntagma Square
Temenos Of Dionysos
Temenos Of Dionysos
Temple Of Aphrodite Urania
Temple Of Aphrodite Urania
Temple Of Apollo Patroos
Temple Of Apollo Patroos
Temple Of Athena Nike
Temple Of Athena Nike
Temple Of Olympian Zeus
Temple Of Olympian Zeus
Temple Of Rome And Augustus
Temple Of Rome And Augustus
Theatre Aliki
Theatre Aliki
|
  Theatre "Athenon"
| Theatre "Athenon"
Theatre Dimitris Ηorn
Theatre Dimitris Ηorn
Theatre Of Dionysus
Theatre Of Dionysus
Theatrical Museum Of Greece
Theatrical Museum Of Greece
Theatro Alambra
Theatro Alambra
Theatro Ilisia
Theatro Ilisia
Theatro Lampeti
Theatro Lampeti
Theatro Metaxourgeio
Theatro Metaxourgeio
Theatro Peroke
Theatro Peroke
Theatro Poreia
Theatro Poreia
Theatro Sfendoni
Theatro Sfendoni
Theatro Stathmos
Theatro Stathmos
Theatro Technis Karolos Koun - Frinichou
Theatro Technis Karolos Koun - Frinichou
Theatro Tzeni Karezi
Theatro Tzeni Karezi
Theatro Vembo
Theatro Vembo
Theatro Vretania
Theatro Vretania
Theocharakis Foundation
Theocharakis Foundation
Theodoros Kolokotronis
Theodoros Kolokotronis
Tower Of The Winds
Tower Of The Winds
Tzistarakis Mosque
Tzistarakis Mosque
Varvakeios Market
Varvakeios Market
Veaki Theater
Veaki Theater
Virgin Mary Athiniotissa
Virgin Mary Athiniotissa
Voukourestiou Street
Voukourestiou Street
William Ewart Gladstone
William Ewart Gladstone
Zappeion
Zappeion
Zina Theater
Zina Theater