presents himself as a practically and theoretically grounded specialist in mechanics –
especially its military applications.
Drachmann (1948); Marsden (1971); DSB 10.586–589, A.G. Drachmann; Y. Garlan, Recherches de
poliorcétique greque (1974); F. Prager, Philo of Byzantium: Pneumatica (1974); OCD3 1166 – 1167, G.J.
Toomer; BNP 11 (2007) 53 (#I.7), M. Folkerts.
Karin Tybjerg
Philo ̄n of Eleusis (350 – 305 BCE)
Named by V (7.pr.12) as the author of a treatise on the symmetries ( proportions?)
of temples and on the arsenal at Piraeus (the harbor of Athens); the same source (7.pr.17)
adds that Philo ̄n was responsible for adding columns to the front of the “cella of Ceres and
Proserpina” (the Telesterion) at Eleusis.
That Philo ̄n was the architect of the naval arsenal (skeuotheke ̄ or hoplotheke ̄ in Greek and
armentarium in Latin) at Piraeus (Peiraieus) is confirmed by numerous literary sources:
S 9.1.15; P 7.12; P Sulla 14.7; P Rhet. I, p. 192 ed.
Sudhaus; C de oratore 1.14.62; Valerius Maximus 8.12.2. These accounts, which were
all written after the destruction of the building by Sulla’s forces in 86 BCE, show that the
fame of the building long outlasted the actual structure, probably as a result of Philo ̄n’s
treatise. Pliny goes so far as to count the building among the wonders of the ancient world,
though he does not specify the criteria by which the building qualified for such a high
distinction. A number of the literary accounts take less interest in the excellence of the
building than in the rhetorical skill with which Philo ̄n is said to have discussed his building
before the Athenians. An inscription contemporary with the building (IG II^2 1668) names
both Philo ̄n and a certain Euthudomos of Melite ̄ as the men responsible for the sungraphe ̄
(building specifications) inscribed on the stone. That the later tradition recognized Philo ̄n
alone as the architect of the building may reflect his more significant role in the design, but
it may, on the other hand, reflect the fact that Philo ̄n was responsible for the treatise by
which the building was known to later generations. Until recently, virtually all information
concerning the arsenal was derived from the remarkably detailed sungraphe ̄, and for many
years the chief interest of scholars was in producing restorations of the building based on
it. In 1988 and 1989 portions of the building were excavated in the north-west corner of
Zea harbor. The remains are consistent with the sungraphe ̄ and show that the building was
a three-aisled structure, 131 m long and 18 m wide, provided with storage space in its
side aisles for the sails and tackle of Athenian warships. The design was admirably func-
tional, providing easy access to the stored material, as well as much needed ventilation.
Architectural embellishment was restricted, but, as the presence of a Doric frieze around
the exterior shows, it was not altogether ignored. Historical evidence indicates that the
arsenal was constructed between 357/6 and 325/4 BCE, when Athens made its final
attempt to restore its historic naval power.
The second project with which Philo ̄n is associated, according to Vitruuius, is the colum-
nar porch of the Telesterion at Eleusis. This porch, called the prostoon in 4th c. BCE building
accounts, was an addition to the earlier 5th c. BCE hall of the mysteries. It comprises 12
Doric columns stretched across the 55 m. expanse of the façade with one additional column
on the return at each end. One of the building accounts (IG II^2 1673) shows that Philo ̄n was
not, in fact, responsible for either the original design or the initial construction of the porch;
the foundations, krepis, and at least a portion of the columns were completed by a certain
PHILO ̄N OF ELEUSIS