Located to the SW of the Acropolis is a hill with a vertically shaped monument on top.

It is a monument to the memory of Gaius Julius Antiochus Epiphanes Philopappos, 65-116 CE.

A Roman aristocrat, Philopappos, wound up living in Athens after a complex political situation involving his family left him a semi-refuge.

He became a benefactor of Athens, knew Plutarch and had friends among the philosophers. Eventually he served as a Roman senator.

The monument was erected by Philopappos' sister, Julia Balbilla. Originally there was a third statue to the right, now lost. The monument was intact into the Middle Ages.

A network of trails allows you to climb the hill starting from a number of locations. The hill is surprisingly quiet - even lonely - amid the bustle of Athens.

The hill is a home for homeless.

Close up, the monument is impressive.

The tall thin design is not common.

And the view from the monument is breathtaking.