The Tower of Winds

Overview

This octagonal building dedicated to the Winds and their master, Aelius (Αἴολος) was constructed around 47 BC by the astronomer Andronicus Kyrrestes.

Description

The Tower is 12-meters (36 ft. approx) tall, without columns and a diameter of approx. 8 meters. Each of the 8 faces is 2,80 meter long. The building rests on a base of three steps and has two entrances, to the NW and to the NE. The roof forms a low octagonal pyramid composed of 24 slabs of marble held together by a round keystone. It was originally topped by a weathervane-like bronze Triton, which, turning by the wind was pointing to the section that corresponded to the wind direction. In its interior, almost 7 m broad, there was a hydraulic (water) clock (or clepsydra), driven by water coming down from the Acropolis, to indicate time at night and on days with inadequate sunlight.
On the top of each side, there are bas-reliefs representing the winds. On the top of the roof there was a bronze statue of a Triton that, according to the actual wind, showed with his trident one of the wind sculptures.

Main Daily Function in Atlantis

The Horologium (ὡρολόγιον) serves all captains of vessels coming and going from the port. It allows them to determine the current and future wind directions in the area. Also merchants in the area can see it from the nearby Market, and determine from the direction of the winds how much time before the merchandise needed will reach the port. Other Functions

Mundane Functions

A sundial also existed in each side. During the cloudy days one could see the time from the hydraulic clock that was found in the interior. So it acts as a universal time piece.

Special Functions

This is also a Tekke Monastery (a shared portal site that allows entrance to each monastery) used by the Four Orders of the Aeolian Monks.

History

Built by Andronicus Cyrrhestes

The Tower of the Winds - Temple, Weather station and Portal Site

Diagram Emphasizing the Horological Function - the angles delineated allow for easier calculation by observers. 

Type

Temple / Religious complex

Two Entrances exist for the Tower - the Left Side (Sinister) is used by the Lawful Neutral and Lawful Evil Monks, the Right Side (Dexter) is used by the Lawful Neutral and Lawful Good Monks.