Academy In Athens
Academy in Athens
The Academy in Athens refers to both the ancient philosophical school founded by Plato and the modern Academy of Athens, which serves as Greece's national academy and highest research institution.
Ancient Academy
The original Academy was founded by Plato around 387 BC in Athens. It was one of the earliest institutions of higher learning in the Western world. The Academy continued to operate for approximately nine centuries and played a crucial role in the development and dissemination of Platonic philosophy.
The Academy was named after the hero Akademos, and its site was sacred to the goddess Athena and other deities. It was located near Colonus, about 1.5 km north of the Dipylon Gates. During its time, it was a hub for philosophers like Aristotle, who studied there for 20 years before establishing his own school, the Lyceum.
The Academy persisted throughout the Hellenistic period as a skeptical philosophical school. It was temporarily revived in 410 AD as a center for Neoplatonism before being closed in 529 AD by Emperor Justinian I.
Modern Academy
The modern Academy of Athens was established in 1926 as part of an effort to continue the legacy of Platonic philosophy and research. It is regulated by a charter ratified by law in 1929, which is still in effect today. The Academy is divided into three orders: Natural Sciences, Letters and Arts, and Moral and Political Sciences.
The main building of the Academy is a neoclassical structure designed by Theophil Hansen, forming part of an architectural trilogy with the University of Athens and the National Library of Greece. It is located in the heart of Athens, between Panepistimiou Street and Akadimias Street.
Legacy
The legacy of the Academy in Athens is profound, influencing numerous fields, including philosophy, science, and education. The modern Academy of Athens continues to uphold the tradition of intellectual inquiry and serves as a beacon of cultural and scientific advancement in Greece.
By linking the rich history of the ancient Academy to its modern counterpart, the Academy of Athens embodies a continuous tradition of knowledge and discovery that spans over two millennia.