Academia Platonos, is an Athenian neighbourhood that has experienced intense industrial and residential development. Its name derives from two sources, the most recognizable being the famous Athenian philosopher, Plato, the second being a local Greek hero by the name of Akademos. Founded by Plato in 387 B.C., the Academy thrived during the years of the Neo-Platonic philosophers, until being permanently closed in 529 B.C., by Emperor Justinian, who shut down all other Athenian schools as well.
Inhabited since the early pre-historic era, this area began undergoing major changes with the arrival of Tyrant Hippias in the 6th Century B.C. A gymnasium was built on the site, and Hippias built a peribolo; nearly a century later, Cimon planted the entire area with trees, but in 86 B.C. they were chopped down when Syllas sacked Athens. Excavations over the last eighty-three years have revealed some truly significant findings here, such as an arched residence from the Early Helladic era, thought to be the actual home of the mythical hero, Akademos; a sacred house from the Geometric era; a peristyle building from the 4th century B.C.; the Roman gymnasium dating to the 1st century A.C., and multiple other buildings.
Source: www.athensattica.gr