The settlement of Mounichia in prehistoric times gave birth to Piraeus, the port city of Athens since the 5^th century BCE. At this time, Themistocles began work on the two long walls that stretched from Piraeus to Athens (can be seen on the map with dates).

These walls were used to connect the two cities in case of attack or siege, and were 160 meters apart, 6000 meters long and 20 meters high. At Piraeus' height of importance, the harbor "contained 372 neosoikoi (sheds near the sea where ships were kept out of the water), skevothikes (the yards for the rigging of warships) and shipyards for the building of ships." (from greekislands.com) Piraeus, as a port, would follow the fate of Athens.





How much do you know about Piraeus? Take the quiz! Perfect scorers will receive an award. Good luck! (Note: You need a JavaScript-enabled browser to take this quiz.)

1. Piraeus' main harbor was called _________ due to its shape, which resembles a type of vase.
Lebes
Munychia
Kantharos


2. Which Archon was the first to urge his countrymen to fortify the three natural harbors of Piraeus?
Themistokles
Hippias
Konon


3. Piraeus owes its city plan to this famous architect born in Miletus.
Kallikrates
Ictinus
Hippodamos



4. Which of the Long Walls of Piraeus was constructed last?
The North Wall
The South Wall
The Wall of Phaleron


5. The Long Walls of Piraeus were torn down at the end of the Peloponnese War.
True
False

http://www.greekislands.com/athens/p_histor.htm
http://ancienthistory.about.com/cs/greecehellas1/g/piraeus.htm
http://plato-dialogues.org/tools/athens.htm (map)