Location
The remains of the Dema tower rest on the summit of the highest hill in the Aigaleos-Parnes gap, a hill known locally, after the tower on it, as
Map 3.
The Dema tower and adjacent wall
Pyrgarthi (elevation 225.17 meters).[2] The tower sits behind and above the line of the Dema wall, which passes some 100 meters away at the closest point. The position of the tower would be an excellent one for commanding a view along the entire length of the wall but for the existence of a knoll between it and the wall, 130 meters southwest of the tower (benchmark at elevation 224.75 meters in map 3). This knoll, being nearly the same elevation as the summit on which the tower sits, completely blocks the view of more than 600 meters of the wall, where it runs lower down the slope beyond the knoll (see figures 20-22).[3] Both
north and south of this obscured stretch, the remaining length of the wall can be seen from the tower site. The knoll itself would have been the most suitable position for a view along the whole length of the wall if it were essential for the tower to have such a view. The importance of this point will be stressed when the function of the tower is considered.
The long-range views from the tower are impressive (figures 21-24). To the southwest, most of the peaks of Salamis are visible above the bay of Eleusis. Eleusis itself is in clear view, and beyond it (weather permitting) the mountains of the Megarid. Westward, most of the Eleusinian plain is in view, bounded by the Pateras range and its outrunners, with the peak of Kithairon on the horizon. Closer to the tower, the view of the nearer edge of the Eleusinian plain is blocked by the southwestern knoll of Pyrgarthi and by the western spur of Kalistiri. The slopes of Parnes dominate the view to the north, as do the slopes of Aigaleos to the south. Immediately east of the tower, between Aigaleos and Parnes, the whole plain of Ano Liosia can be seen, except for a small section of the foreground blocked by an eastern knoll of Pyrgarthi, now disappearing in quarry work. Menidi/Acharnai lies at the far end of the plain, and beyond it the upper end of the Athenian plain is in view, with Mount Pentele dominating the view beyond.