Gymnasion

Images 1-3 are reconstructions of the gymnasion at Miletus (by Ilias Michailidis). Although they could differ architecturally, gymnasia in the ancient world had certain features in common, so that the gymnasion at Jerusalem could have resembled the reconstructed Miletus gymnasion. Typically, a gymnasion consisted of a palaestra (courtyard, used for athletic purposes) surrounded by rooms; the main building of the gymnasion was at the rear. Some of these rooms would be used for educational purposes. Entrance into the palaestra was through a propylon (gate). Only the sons of the social elite of a city were eligible for admission to the gymnasion.