Greek archaeologists begin work to restore ancient Aristotle school

Sep 24, 2010, 14:11 GMT

Athens - Greek archaeologists will begin work to restore the ancient school where philosopher Aristotle taught his pupils nearly 2,500 years ago, the Athens News Agency (ANA) reported Friday.

Archaeologists hope to begin restoring the site, which was discovered in downtown Athens 14 years ago, as soon as possible so that it can open to the public as part of an archaeological park.

Plans for an outdoor museum are also underway which will involve building a translucent roof over the site.

Aristotle lived from 384 to 322 BC, studied under Plato and tutored Alexander the Great. Later, in 335 BC in Athens, he taught in the grounds of the Lyceum, a meeting place of the Athenian assembly and public sports complex frequented by the city's young men.

The ancient school is located outside the walls of ancient Athens and was sacked and razed to the ground by the Roman General Lucius Cornelius Sulla in 86 BC. It was later rebuilt.

The site's location remained unknown for centuries until it was rediscovered in 1996 during excavations for Athens' New Museum of Modern Art.

Restoration work had been delayed for years do to the lack of substantial funding.