Pireus

• The Pireus is and was the Port for Athens and is located 5 miles (8km) southwest of the city.
• The Port of Piraeus was one of the great naval bases of the Ancient World and held the Naval Harbour and Shipsheds for the Athenian Navy.

History

• In 483 BCE, a new vein of silver was discovered in the Laurion Mines, which paid for 200 Triremes to be built and housed in the Pireus Shipsheds.
• The Pireus was then fortified continuously and became one of the greatest naval bases in the Ancient World, until it was destroyed by the Romans under Sulla in 86 BCE. The Long Walls which ran from Athens to the Pireus were destroyed at the same time.

Ancient Greek Sites

• Eetioneia
  • The circular Gate to the Harbour.
• Zea shipsheds
  • Remains of the shipsheds and slipways.

Museums

• Archeological Museum of Pireus
  • Char. Trikoupi 31, Pireas.
  • The museum holds statues and other Finds from Classical Antiquity that have been excavated from the area are on display.
• Hellenic Maritime Museum
  • Located in Zeas Marina at Akti Themistokleous, Freattyda-Nipolies, Athens.
  • The museum holds 2,500 artefacts of naval history and a library of 17,000 books and magazines on naval history, including various ship models:
    • A model of Minoan ship from the 16th century BCE.
    • A model showing an Athenian Trireme from the 5th century BCE.
    • A model of a cargo ship from the 4th century BCE.
    • A model of a Byzantine Dromon from the 10th century CE.

Hellenic Maritime Museum, Pireus Harbour, Athens