Gate of Zeus and Hera

The monumental gate in the walls of the ancient city of Thassos was dedicated to Zeus and Hera, deities represented on the columns. The gate and its tower were built about 300 BC where there had previously been an opening in the walls of the 5th century BC. The architectural decoration was rich. On the outside it was Doric, while towards the city it was Ionic and Doric. Among the reliefs, the one with the goddess Hera enthroned stands out. In front of her is Iris, her faithful servant, messenger and companion of the gods. Zeus and Hermes, which adorned the other column, are now exhibited in fragments in the Archaeological Museum of Thassos. The inscription on the inside of the epistyle tells us that the embellishment of the gate was a sponsorship by Pythippus.