The Peisistratos’ Aqueduct of Athens

In the 6^th century BC, under the tyranny of Peisistratos and later his sons, impressive public works were constructed in Athens. The most important hydraulic project was an aqueduct, named after him, which brought water from the foothills of the Ymittos Mountain, to the centre of the city near the Acropolis, covering a total distance of 7.5 km. On the outskirts of the city the aqueduct branched out to supply fountains and reservoirs.

The aqueduct combined an underground tunnel 2.800 m long, with an extended distribution network in the form of channels. Pipes of terracotta with an internal diameter of approximately 20 cm were placed inside the tunnel (or channel), with sleeves of extraordinary design, openings for cleaning, orientation engravings and other technical elements. The paramount Enneakrounos public fountain (with nine spouts) at the edge of the Ancient Agora is believed to have been supplied by this aqueduct.

Topographical sketch of Athens in B&W depicting its major rivers and torrents as well as its two ancient aqueducts built by Peisistratos and Hadrian respectively, and named after them.

Hydria Virtual Museum

Layout of the Peisistratid aqueduct (blue) and the Hadrian aqueduct (green) in Athens. In yellow, the major highways of Athens as they are appear today.

Hydria Virtual Museum