The Greater Propylaea was built in the time of Marcus Aurelius out of Pentelic marble. It is made nearly identical to the Propylaea of Athens. Six Doric columns above six marble steps form its north-eastern entrance, which faces Athens. The pediment was decorated with the bust of Marcus Aurelius. The transverse side has five doorways and at some time of threat, the Doric colonnade was filled in with a wall, so that only one doorway gave entrance. The Greater Propylaea had an inner portico, facing the interior of the sanctuary, and a deep outer Portico. The ceiling was made of gigantic blocks of white marble. The pavement is now scarred with early Christian crosses made to drive off pagan spirits from the site. Greater Propylaea Greater Propylaea from the East Greater Propylaea from processional way Early Christian crosses and symbols