From Connolly and Dodge, The Ancient City
From Connolly and Dodge, The Ancient City
In the reconstruction above we see the Metrôon (2) just in front of the new Bouleuterion (3) and next to the Tholos (4) (note the temple of Hephaistos (1) in the background). Until the end of the fifth century this building (2) served as a meeting place for the Council of 500 (Boulê). But after a new Bouleuterion was built immediately behind it, the old building became a shrine of the mother goddess (Cybele, although some say Demeter). The Metrôon (= "mother's building) also served as a public archives building.Documents such as the proceedings of the Council of 500 and other official records written on papyrus, parchment, and even on marble were kept in this building.