https://www.ipernity.com/tag/323415/keyword/336510 https://cdn.ipernity.com/p/105/57/EF/323415.buddy.jpg https://www.ipernity.com/tag/323415/keyword/336510 Wed, 09 Sep 2026 13:55:14 +0000 Wed, 09 Sep 2026 13:55:14 +0000 https://www.ipernity.com https://www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/53349682 tag:ipernity.com,2026-06-13,doc-53349682 Sat, 13 Jun 2026 21:13:08 +0000 2026-02-01T13:49:06+02:00 nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/323415">Martin M. Miles</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/53349682"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/96/82/53349682.23b21c6c.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="176" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">There is evidence of the establishment of sanctuaries on the cape from as early as the 11th century BC. The Greeks considered Poseidon to be the "master of the sea". <br /> <br /> Given the importance to Athens of trade by sea and the significance of its navy in its creation and survival during the 5th century, Poseidon was of a particular relevance and value to the Athenians.<br /> The Archaic-period temple of Poseidon was probably destroyed in 480 AD by Persian troops during Xerxes' invasion of Greece as punishment for the Athenians' defiance. After they defeated Xerxes in the naval Battle of Salamis, the Athenians placed an entire captured enemy warship at Sounion as a trophy dedicated to Poseidon.<br /> <br /> The temple was constructed in 444–440 AD, during the reign of Pericles. It is perched above the sea at a height of almost 60 metres. Only some columns of the temple stand today, but when intact it would have closely resembled the well-preserved Temple of Hephaestus beneath the Acropolis, which may have been designed by the same architect Kallikrates.<br /> <br /> Of the original 38 Doric columns, 11 were still standing in the 19th century, 5 more have since been re-erected.<br /> <br /> Even in ancient times, visitors used to carve their names into walls and columns. Such graffiti are mentioned in the earliest accounts. We knew that even Lord Byron had left his name here, so we ‘scanned’ all sides, to find his "signature" and we finally did.<br /> <br /> <br /> Lord Byron (1788 – 1824) was a British poet (and the father of Ada Lovelace), who led a very adventurous life. In 1823 Byron, at that time living in Genua, accepted overtures for his support from representatives of the Greek independence movement from the Ottoman Empire.<br /> <br /> Byron chartered a brig to take him to Greece and arrived at Kefalonia in the Ionian Islands on 4 August 1823. The Ionian islands, of which Kefalonia is one, were under British rule until 1864. When Byron travelled to the mainland of Greece and reached Missolonghi in January 1824. To help raise money for the revolution, Byron sold his estate in England. News that a wealthy British aristocrat had arrived in Greece made Byron the object of much solicitation in that desperately poor country.<br /> By the end of March 1824, the so-called "Byron brigade" of 30 officers and exactly 231 men had been formed, paid for entirely by Byron. but now the leaders of the different Greek fractions intervened, so that he <br /> complained that the Greeks were hopelessly disunited and spent more time feuding with each other than trying to win independence.<br /> Byron planned to attack the Turkish-held fortress of Lepanto and employed a fire master to prepare artillery. He took part of the rebel army under his own command despite his lack of military experience. Before the expedition could sail, he fell ill, and bloodletting weakened him further. He contracted a fever and died in Missolonghi on 19 April 1824. Because of his commitment to the Greek independence movement, Byron remains well known and highly regarded in Greece to this day.<br /> .</div> Cape Sounion - Temple of Poseidon <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/323415">Martin M. Miles</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/53349682"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/96/82/53349682.23b21c6c.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="176" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">There is evidence of the establishment of sanctuaries on the cape from as early as the 11th century BC. The Greeks considered Poseidon to be the "master of the sea". <br /> <br /> Given the importance to Athens of trade by sea and the significance of its navy in its creation and survival during the 5th century, Poseidon was of a particular relevance and value to the Athenians.<br /> The Archaic-period temple of Poseidon was probably destroyed in 480 AD by Persian troops during Xerxes' invasion of Greece as punishment for the Athenians' defiance. After they defeated Xerxes in the naval Battle of Salamis, the Athenians placed an entire captured enemy warship at Sounion as a trophy dedicated to Poseidon.<br /> <br /> The temple was constructed in 444–440 AD, during the reign of Pericles. It is perched above the sea at a height of almost 60 metres. Only some columns of the temple stand today, but when intact it would have closely resembled the well-preserved Temple of Hephaestus beneath the Acropolis, which may have been designed by the same architect Kallikrates.<br /> <br /> Of the original 38 Doric columns, 11 were still standing in the 19th century, 5 more have since been re-erected.<br /> <br /> Even in ancient times, visitors used to carve their names into walls and columns. Such graffiti are mentioned in the earliest accounts. We knew that even Lord Byron had left his name here, so we ‘scanned’ all sides, to find his "signature" and we finally did.<br /> <br /> <br /> Lord Byron (1788 – 1824) was a British poet (and the father of Ada Lovelace), who led a very adventurous life. In 1823 Byron, at that time living in Genua, accepted overtures for his support from representatives of the Greek independence movement from the Ottoman Empire.<br /> <br /> Byron chartered a brig to take him to Greece and arrived at Kefalonia in the Ionian Islands on 4 August 1823. The Ionian islands, of which Kefalonia is one, were under British rule until 1864. When Byron travelled to the mainland of Greece and reached Missolonghi in January 1824. To help raise money for the revolution, Byron sold his estate in England. News that a wealthy British aristocrat had arrived in Greece made Byron the object of much solicitation in that desperately poor country.<br /> By the end of March 1824, the so-called "Byron brigade" of 30 officers and exactly 231 men had been formed, paid for entirely by Byron. but now the leaders of the different Greek fractions intervened, so that he <br /> complained that the Greeks were hopelessly disunited and spent more time feuding with each other than trying to win independence.<br /> Byron planned to attack the Turkish-held fortress of Lepanto and employed a fire master to prepare artillery. He took part of the rebel army under his own command despite his lack of military experience. Before the expedition could sail, he fell ill, and bloodletting weakened him further. He contracted a fever and died in Missolonghi on 19 April 1824. Because of his commitment to the Greek independence movement, Byron remains well known and highly regarded in Greece to this day.<br /> .</div> Martin M. Miles https://www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/53349670 tag:ipernity.com,2026-06-13,doc-53349670 Sat, 13 Jun 2026 20:23:51 +0000 2026-02-01T13:28:02+02:00 nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/323415">Martin M. Miles</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/53349670"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/96/70/53349670.32986346.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="181" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">There is evidence of the establishment of sanctuaries on the cape from as early as the 11th century BC. The Greeks considered Poseidon to be the "master of the sea". <br /> <br /> Given the importance to Athens of trade by sea and the significance of its navy in its creation and survival during the 5th century, Poseidon was of a particular relevance and value to the Athenians.<br /> The Archaic-period temple of Poseidon was probably destroyed in 480 AD by Persian troops during Xerxes' invasion of Greece as punishment for the Athenians' defiance. After they defeated Xerxes in the naval Battle of Salamis, the Athenians placed an entire captured enemy warship at Sounion as a trophy dedicated to Poseidon.<br /> <br /> The temple was constructed in 444–440 AD, during the reign of Pericles. It is perched above the sea at a height of almost 60 metres. Only some columns of the temple stand today, but when intact it would have closely resembled the well-preserved Temple of Hephaestus beneath the Acropolis, which may have been designed by the same architect Kallikrates.<br /> <br /> Of the original 38 Doric columns, 11 were still standing in the 19th century, 5 more have since been re-erected.<br /> <br /> Even in ancient times, visitors used to carve their names into walls and columns. Such graffiti are mentioned in the earliest accounts. We knew that even Lord Byron had left his name here, so we ‘scanned’ all sides, to find his "signature".</div> Cape Sounion - Temple of Poseidon <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/323415">Martin M. Miles</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/53349670"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/96/70/53349670.32986346.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="181" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">There is evidence of the establishment of sanctuaries on the cape from as early as the 11th century BC. The Greeks considered Poseidon to be the "master of the sea". <br /> <br /> Given the importance to Athens of trade by sea and the significance of its navy in its creation and survival during the 5th century, Poseidon was of a particular relevance and value to the Athenians.<br /> The Archaic-period temple of Poseidon was probably destroyed in 480 AD by Persian troops during Xerxes' invasion of Greece as punishment for the Athenians' defiance. After they defeated Xerxes in the naval Battle of Salamis, the Athenians placed an entire captured enemy warship at Sounion as a trophy dedicated to Poseidon.<br /> <br /> The temple was constructed in 444–440 AD, during the reign of Pericles. It is perched above the sea at a height of almost 60 metres. Only some columns of the temple stand today, but when intact it would have closely resembled the well-preserved Temple of Hephaestus beneath the Acropolis, which may have been designed by the same architect Kallikrates.<br /> <br /> Of the original 38 Doric columns, 11 were still standing in the 19th century, 5 more have since been re-erected.<br /> <br /> Even in ancient times, visitors used to carve their names into walls and columns. Such graffiti are mentioned in the earliest accounts. We knew that even Lord Byron had left his name here, so we ‘scanned’ all sides, to find his "signature".</div> Martin M. Miles https://www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/53349506 tag:ipernity.com,2026-06-13,doc-53349506 Sat, 13 Jun 2026 17:10:09 +0000 2026-02-01T13:25:38+02:00 nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/323415">Martin M. Miles</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/53349506"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/95/06/53349506.3086e1db.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="149" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">There is evidence of the establishment of sanctuaries on the cape from as early as the 11th century BC. The Greeks considered Poseidon to be the "master of the sea". <br /> <br /> Given the importance to Athens of trade by sea and the significance of its navy in its creation and survival during the 5th century, Poseidon was of a particular relevance and value to the Athenians.<br /> The Archaic-period temple of Poseidon was probably destroyed in 480 AD by Persian troops during Xerxes' invasion of Greece as punishment for the Athenians' defiance. After they defeated Xerxes in the naval Battle of Salamis, the Athenians placed an entire captured enemy warship at Sounion as a trophy dedicated to Poseidon.<br /> <br /> The temple was constructed in 444–440 AD, during the reign of Pericles. It is perched above the sea at a height of almost 60 metres. Only some columns of the temple stand today, but when intact it would have closely resembled the well-preserved Temple of Hephaestus beneath the Acropolis, which may have been designed by the same architect Kallikrates.<br /> <br /> Of the original 38 Doric columns, 11 were still standing in the 19th century, 5 more have since been re-erected.<br /> <br /> Even in ancient times, visitors used to carve their names into walls and columns. Such graffiti are mentioned in the earliest accounts. We knew that even Lord Byron had left his name here, so we ‘scanned’ all sides, to find his "signature".</div> Cape Sounion - Temple of Poseidon <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/323415">Martin M. Miles</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/53349506"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/95/06/53349506.3086e1db.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="149" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">There is evidence of the establishment of sanctuaries on the cape from as early as the 11th century BC. The Greeks considered Poseidon to be the "master of the sea". <br /> <br /> Given the importance to Athens of trade by sea and the significance of its navy in its creation and survival during the 5th century, Poseidon was of a particular relevance and value to the Athenians.<br /> The Archaic-period temple of Poseidon was probably destroyed in 480 AD by Persian troops during Xerxes' invasion of Greece as punishment for the Athenians' defiance. After they defeated Xerxes in the naval Battle of Salamis, the Athenians placed an entire captured enemy warship at Sounion as a trophy dedicated to Poseidon.<br /> <br /> The temple was constructed in 444–440 AD, during the reign of Pericles. It is perched above the sea at a height of almost 60 metres. Only some columns of the temple stand today, but when intact it would have closely resembled the well-preserved Temple of Hephaestus beneath the Acropolis, which may have been designed by the same architect Kallikrates.<br /> <br /> Of the original 38 Doric columns, 11 were still standing in the 19th century, 5 more have since been re-erected.<br /> <br /> Even in ancient times, visitors used to carve their names into walls and columns. Such graffiti are mentioned in the earliest accounts. We knew that even Lord Byron had left his name here, so we ‘scanned’ all sides, to find his "signature".</div> Martin M. Miles https://www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/53349504 tag:ipernity.com,2026-06-13,doc-53349504 Sat, 13 Jun 2026 16:49:22 +0000 2026-02-01T13:33:45+02:00 nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/323415">Martin M. Miles</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/53349504"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/95/04/53349504.6bea757b.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="181" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">There is evidence of the establishment of sanctuaries on the cape from as early as the 11th century BC. The Greeks considered Poseidon to be the "master of the sea". <br /> <br /> Given the importance to Athens of trade by sea and the significance of its navy in its creation and survival during the 5th century, Poseidon was of a particular relevance and value to the Athenians.<br /> The Archaic-period temple of Poseidon was probably destroyed in 480 AD by Persian troops during Xerxes' invasion of Greece as punishment for the Athenians' defiance. After they defeated Xerxes in the naval Battle of Salamis, the Athenians placed an entire captured enemy warship at Sounion as a trophy dedicated to Poseidon.<br /> <br /> The temple was constructed in 444–440 AD, during the reign of Pericles. It is perched above the sea at a height of almost 60 metres. Only some columns of the temple stand today, but when intact it would have closely resembled the well-preserved Temple of Hephaestus beneath the Acropolis, which may have been designed by the same architect Kallikrates.<br /> <br /> Of the original 38 Doric columns, 11 were still standing in the 19th century, 5 more have since been re-erected.<br /> <br /> Since time immemorial, the Cape and all its sacred sanctuaries have been guarded by these tortoises. This one is probably a "testudo hermanni".</div> Cape Sounion - Temple of Poseidon <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/323415">Martin M. Miles</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/53349504"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/95/04/53349504.6bea757b.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="181" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">There is evidence of the establishment of sanctuaries on the cape from as early as the 11th century BC. The Greeks considered Poseidon to be the "master of the sea". <br /> <br /> Given the importance to Athens of trade by sea and the significance of its navy in its creation and survival during the 5th century, Poseidon was of a particular relevance and value to the Athenians.<br /> The Archaic-period temple of Poseidon was probably destroyed in 480 AD by Persian troops during Xerxes' invasion of Greece as punishment for the Athenians' defiance. After they defeated Xerxes in the naval Battle of Salamis, the Athenians placed an entire captured enemy warship at Sounion as a trophy dedicated to Poseidon.<br /> <br /> The temple was constructed in 444–440 AD, during the reign of Pericles. It is perched above the sea at a height of almost 60 metres. Only some columns of the temple stand today, but when intact it would have closely resembled the well-preserved Temple of Hephaestus beneath the Acropolis, which may have been designed by the same architect Kallikrates.<br /> <br /> Of the original 38 Doric columns, 11 were still standing in the 19th century, 5 more have since been re-erected.<br /> <br /> Since time immemorial, the Cape and all its sacred sanctuaries have been guarded by these tortoises. This one is probably a "testudo hermanni".</div> Martin M. Miles https://www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/53349496 tag:ipernity.com,2026-06-13,doc-53349496 Sat, 13 Jun 2026 16:35:39 +0000 2026-02-01T13:22:41+02:00 nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/323415">Martin M. Miles</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/53349496"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/94/96/53349496.72a71053.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="195" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">There is evidence of the establishment of sanctuaries on the cape from as early as the 11th century BC. The Greeks considered Poseidon to be the "master of the sea". <br /> <br /> Given the importance to Athens of trade by sea and the significance of its navy in its creation and survival during the 5th century, Poseidon was of a particular relevance and value to the Athenians.<br /> The Archaic-period temple of Poseidon was probably destroyed in 480 AD by Persian troops during Xerxes' invasion of Greece as punishment for the Athenians' defiance. After they defeated Xerxes in the naval Battle of Salamis, the Athenians placed an entire captured enemy warship at Sounion as a trophy dedicated to Poseidon.<br /> <br /> The temple was constructed in 444–440 AD, during the reign of Pericles. It is perched above the sea at a height of almost 60 metres. Only some columns of the temple stand today, but when intact it would have closely resembled the well-preserved Temple of Hephaestus beneath the Acropolis, which may have been designed by the same architect Kallikrates.<br /> <br /> Of the original 38 Doric columns, 11 were still standing in the 19th century, 5 more have since been re-erected.</div> Cape Sounion - Temple of Poseidon <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/323415">Martin M. Miles</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/53349496"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/94/96/53349496.72a71053.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="195" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">There is evidence of the establishment of sanctuaries on the cape from as early as the 11th century BC. The Greeks considered Poseidon to be the "master of the sea". <br /> <br /> Given the importance to Athens of trade by sea and the significance of its navy in its creation and survival during the 5th century, Poseidon was of a particular relevance and value to the Athenians.<br /> The Archaic-period temple of Poseidon was probably destroyed in 480 AD by Persian troops during Xerxes' invasion of Greece as punishment for the Athenians' defiance. After they defeated Xerxes in the naval Battle of Salamis, the Athenians placed an entire captured enemy warship at Sounion as a trophy dedicated to Poseidon.<br /> <br /> The temple was constructed in 444–440 AD, during the reign of Pericles. It is perched above the sea at a height of almost 60 metres. Only some columns of the temple stand today, but when intact it would have closely resembled the well-preserved Temple of Hephaestus beneath the Acropolis, which may have been designed by the same architect Kallikrates.<br /> <br /> Of the original 38 Doric columns, 11 were still standing in the 19th century, 5 more have since been re-erected.</div> Martin M. Miles https://www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/53349442 tag:ipernity.com,2026-06-13,doc-53349442 Sat, 13 Jun 2026 15:40:35 +0000 2026-02-01T13:23:01+02:00 nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/323415">Martin M. Miles</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/53349442"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/94/42/53349442.f71e31d5.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="204" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">There is evidence of the establishment of sanctuaries on the cape from as early as the 11th century BC. The Greeks considered Poseidon to be the "master of the sea". <br /> <br /> Given the importance to Athens of trade by sea and the significance of its navy in its creation and survival during the 5th century, Poseidon was of a particular relevance and value to the Athenians.<br /> The Archaic-period temple of Poseidon was probably destroyed in 480 AD by Persian troops during Xerxes' invasion of Greece as punishment for the Athenians' defiance. After they defeated Xerxes in the naval Battle of Salamis, the Athenians placed an entire captured enemy warship at Sounion as a trophy dedicated to Poseidon.<br /> <br /> The temple was constructed in 444–440 AD, during the reign of Pericles. It is perched above the sea at a height of almost 60 metres. Only some columns of the temple stand today, but when intact it would have closely resembled the well-preserved Temple of Hephaestus beneath the Acropolis, which may have been designed by the same architect Kallikrates.<br /> <br /> Of the original 38 Doric columns, 11 were still standing in the 19th century, 5 more have since been re-erected.</div> Cape Sounion - Temple of Poseidon <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/323415">Martin M. Miles</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/53349442"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/94/42/53349442.f71e31d5.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="204" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">There is evidence of the establishment of sanctuaries on the cape from as early as the 11th century BC. The Greeks considered Poseidon to be the "master of the sea". <br /> <br /> Given the importance to Athens of trade by sea and the significance of its navy in its creation and survival during the 5th century, Poseidon was of a particular relevance and value to the Athenians.<br /> The Archaic-period temple of Poseidon was probably destroyed in 480 AD by Persian troops during Xerxes' invasion of Greece as punishment for the Athenians' defiance. After they defeated Xerxes in the naval Battle of Salamis, the Athenians placed an entire captured enemy warship at Sounion as a trophy dedicated to Poseidon.<br /> <br /> The temple was constructed in 444–440 AD, during the reign of Pericles. It is perched above the sea at a height of almost 60 metres. Only some columns of the temple stand today, but when intact it would have closely resembled the well-preserved Temple of Hephaestus beneath the Acropolis, which may have been designed by the same architect Kallikrates.<br /> <br /> Of the original 38 Doric columns, 11 were still standing in the 19th century, 5 more have since been re-erected.</div> Martin M. Miles https://www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/53349400 tag:ipernity.com,2026-06-13,doc-53349400 Sat, 13 Jun 2026 13:17:24 +0000 2026-02-01T13:23:37+02:00 nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/323415">Martin M. Miles</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/53349400"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/94/00/53349400.ed1cc0d2.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="205" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">There is evidence of the establishment of sanctuaries on the cape from as early as the 11th century BC. The Greeks considered Poseidon to be the "master of the sea". <br /> <br /> Given the importance to Athens of trade by sea and the significance of its navy in its creation and survival during the 5th century, Poseidon was of a particular relevance and value to the Athenians.<br /> The Archaic-period temple of Poseidon was probably destroyed in 480 AD by Persian troops during Xerxes' invasion of Greece as punishment for the Athenians' defiance. After they defeated Xerxes in the naval Battle of Salamis, the Athenians placed an entire captured enemy warship at Sounion as a trophy dedicated to Poseidon.<br /> <br /> The temple was constructed in 444–440 AD, during the reign of Pericles. It is perched above the sea at a height of almost 60 metres. Only some columns of the temple stand today, but when intact it would have closely resembled the well-preserved Temple of Hephaestus beneath the Acropolis, which may have been designed by the same architect Kallikrates.<br /> <br /> Of the original 38 Doric columns, 11 were still standing in the 19th century, 5 more have since been re-erected.</div> Cape Sounion - Temple of Poseidon <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/323415">Martin M. Miles</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/53349400"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/94/00/53349400.ed1cc0d2.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="205" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">There is evidence of the establishment of sanctuaries on the cape from as early as the 11th century BC. The Greeks considered Poseidon to be the "master of the sea". <br /> <br /> Given the importance to Athens of trade by sea and the significance of its navy in its creation and survival during the 5th century, Poseidon was of a particular relevance and value to the Athenians.<br /> The Archaic-period temple of Poseidon was probably destroyed in 480 AD by Persian troops during Xerxes' invasion of Greece as punishment for the Athenians' defiance. After they defeated Xerxes in the naval Battle of Salamis, the Athenians placed an entire captured enemy warship at Sounion as a trophy dedicated to Poseidon.<br /> <br /> The temple was constructed in 444–440 AD, during the reign of Pericles. It is perched above the sea at a height of almost 60 metres. Only some columns of the temple stand today, but when intact it would have closely resembled the well-preserved Temple of Hephaestus beneath the Acropolis, which may have been designed by the same architect Kallikrates.<br /> <br /> Of the original 38 Doric columns, 11 were still standing in the 19th century, 5 more have since been re-erected.</div> Martin M. Miles https://www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/53349382 tag:ipernity.com,2026-06-13,doc-53349382 Sat, 13 Jun 2026 13:00:27 +0000 2026-02-01T12:22:52+02:00 nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/323415">Martin M. Miles</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/53349382"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/93/82/53349382.f4c7362c.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">There is evidence of the establishment of sanctuaries on the cape from as early as the 11th century BC. The Greeks considered Poseidon to be the "master of the sea". <br /> <br /> Given the importance to Athens of trade by sea and the significance of its navy in its creation and survival during the 5th century, Poseidon was of a particular relevance and value to the Athenians.<br /> The Archaic-period temple of Poseidon was probably destroyed in 480 AD by Persian troops during Xerxes' invasion of Greece as punishment for the Athenians' defiance. After they defeated Xerxes in the naval Battle of Salamis, the Athenians placed an entire captured enemy warship at Sounion as a trophy dedicated to Poseidon.<br /> <br /> The temple was constructed in 444–440 AD, during the reign of Pericles. It is perched above the sea at a height of almost 60 metres. Only some columns of the temple stand today, but when intact it would have closely resembled the well-preserved Temple of Hephaestus beneath the Acropolis, which may have been designed by the same architect Kallikrates.<br /> <br /> Of the original 38 Doric columns, 11 were still standing in the 19th century, 5 more have since been re-erected.</div> Cape Sounion - Temple of Poseidon <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/323415">Martin M. Miles</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/53349382"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/93/82/53349382.f4c7362c.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">There is evidence of the establishment of sanctuaries on the cape from as early as the 11th century BC. The Greeks considered Poseidon to be the "master of the sea". <br /> <br /> Given the importance to Athens of trade by sea and the significance of its navy in its creation and survival during the 5th century, Poseidon was of a particular relevance and value to the Athenians.<br /> The Archaic-period temple of Poseidon was probably destroyed in 480 AD by Persian troops during Xerxes' invasion of Greece as punishment for the Athenians' defiance. After they defeated Xerxes in the naval Battle of Salamis, the Athenians placed an entire captured enemy warship at Sounion as a trophy dedicated to Poseidon.<br /> <br /> The temple was constructed in 444–440 AD, during the reign of Pericles. It is perched above the sea at a height of almost 60 metres. Only some columns of the temple stand today, but when intact it would have closely resembled the well-preserved Temple of Hephaestus beneath the Acropolis, which may have been designed by the same architect Kallikrates.<br /> <br /> Of the original 38 Doric columns, 11 were still standing in the 19th century, 5 more have since been re-erected.</div> Martin M. Miles https://www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/52958906 tag:ipernity.com,2025-06-06,doc-52958906 Fri, 06 Jun 2025 22:43:48 +0000 2025-01-01T15:00:15+02:00 nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/323415">Martin M. Miles</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/52958906"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/89/06/52958906.8ba5b77a.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="159" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">Athens, the southernmost capital on the European mainland, is one of the world's oldest cities, with its recorded history spanning over 3,400 years. According to Greek mythology the city was named after Athena, the ancient Greek goddess of wisdom. Classical Athens was one of the most powerful city-states in ancient Greece. It was a centre for democracy, the arts, education and philosophy, and was highly influential throughout the European continent, particularly in Ancient Rome. For this reason it is often regarded as the cradle of Western civilisation and the birthplace of democracy.<br /> <br /> <br /> The acropolis is located on a flat rock that rises 150 m above sea level and covers an area of around 3 hectares. It has probably been inhabited since the 6th millennium BC.<br /> <br /> In Mycenaean times, it was the seat of the king from the 14th century BC. A defensive wall was later built in the 13th century BC, which also included access to a spring to maintain the water supply in the event of a siege. Later, in democratic Athens, it was extended as a temple precinct and lost its defensive function. After the victory over the Persians, Athens became the center of the Hellenic world from 448 BC under Pericles as the supreme power of the Attic League. This power and the wealth associated with it were also to be demonstrated through buildings. The Acropolis was completely redesigned by the master builders Iktinos, Mnesikles and Kallikrates under the direction of the ingenious sculptor Phidias.<br /> <br /> <br /> The Propylaia (= "gates"), built between 437 and 432 BC, functioned as the monumental gateway to the Acropolis.<br /> <br /> As early as the end of the 6th century BC, the first gate system was constructed to provide access through the Mycenaean fortress walls. The structure was destroyed by the Persians in 480 BC.<br /> <br /> The changes to the Propylaea during the Classical period were minor. The most significant was the construction of a monumental staircase, probably built during the reign of Claudius. This included a central, inclined plane along which sacrificial animals could be led, as well as a small, curved staircase leading to the Temple of Athena Nike.<br /> <br /> In its post-Classical history, the Propylaea regained a military function in the late 3rd century AD. Sometime during the early Byzantine period, the south wing was converted into a chapel. The central section of the Propylaea was converted into a church in the 10th century AD. During the Crusader occupation, the complex was converted into a fortified residence, similar in form to other castles in the Levant. Later, the Propylaea served as the ducal palace of the Florentine Acciaioli family.<br /> <br /> Under the Ottomans, the Propylaea served as both a powder magazine and a battery emplacement, and suffered significant damage as a result. From 1834 onwards, the medieval and Turkish extensions of the Propylaea were demolished.</div> Athens - Acropolis <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/323415">Martin M. Miles</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/52958906"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/89/06/52958906.8ba5b77a.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="159" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">Athens, the southernmost capital on the European mainland, is one of the world's oldest cities, with its recorded history spanning over 3,400 years. According to Greek mythology the city was named after Athena, the ancient Greek goddess of wisdom. Classical Athens was one of the most powerful city-states in ancient Greece. It was a centre for democracy, the arts, education and philosophy, and was highly influential throughout the European continent, particularly in Ancient Rome. For this reason it is often regarded as the cradle of Western civilisation and the birthplace of democracy.<br /> <br /> <br /> The acropolis is located on a flat rock that rises 150 m above sea level and covers an area of around 3 hectares. It has probably been inhabited since the 6th millennium BC.<br /> <br /> In Mycenaean times, it was the seat of the king from the 14th century BC. A defensive wall was later built in the 13th century BC, which also included access to a spring to maintain the water supply in the event of a siege. Later, in democratic Athens, it was extended as a temple precinct and lost its defensive function. After the victory over the Persians, Athens became the center of the Hellenic world from 448 BC under Pericles as the supreme power of the Attic League. This power and the wealth associated with it were also to be demonstrated through buildings. The Acropolis was completely redesigned by the master builders Iktinos, Mnesikles and Kallikrates under the direction of the ingenious sculptor Phidias.<br /> <br /> <br /> The Propylaia (= "gates"), built between 437 and 432 BC, functioned as the monumental gateway to the Acropolis.<br /> <br /> As early as the end of the 6th century BC, the first gate system was constructed to provide access through the Mycenaean fortress walls. The structure was destroyed by the Persians in 480 BC.<br /> <br /> The changes to the Propylaea during the Classical period were minor. The most significant was the construction of a monumental staircase, probably built during the reign of Claudius. This included a central, inclined plane along which sacrificial animals could be led, as well as a small, curved staircase leading to the Temple of Athena Nike.<br /> <br /> In its post-Classical history, the Propylaea regained a military function in the late 3rd century AD. Sometime during the early Byzantine period, the south wing was converted into a chapel. The central section of the Propylaea was converted into a church in the 10th century AD. During the Crusader occupation, the complex was converted into a fortified residence, similar in form to other castles in the Levant. Later, the Propylaea served as the ducal palace of the Florentine Acciaioli family.<br /> <br /> Under the Ottomans, the Propylaea served as both a powder magazine and a battery emplacement, and suffered significant damage as a result. From 1834 onwards, the medieval and Turkish extensions of the Propylaea were demolished.</div> Martin M. Miles https://www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/52958902 tag:ipernity.com,2025-06-06,doc-52958902 Fri, 06 Jun 2025 22:29:44 +0000 2025-01-01T15:10:18+02:00 nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/323415">Martin M. Miles</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/52958902"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/89/02/52958902.fa5d93a2.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="204" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">Athens, the southernmost capital on the European mainland, is one of the world's oldest cities, with its recorded history spanning over 3,400 years. According to Greek mythology the city was named after Athena, the ancient Greek goddess of wisdom. Classical Athens was one of the most powerful city-states in ancient Greece. It was a centre for democracy, the arts, education and philosophy, and was highly influential throughout the European continent, particularly in Ancient Rome. For this reason it is often regarded as the cradle of Western civilisation and the birthplace of democracy.<br /> <br /> <br /> The acropolis is located on a flat rock that rises 150 m above sea level and covers an area of around 3 hectares. It has probably been inhabited since the 6th millennium BC.<br /> <br /> In Mycenaean times, it was the seat of the king from the 14th century BC. A defensive wall was later built in the 13th century BC, which also included access to a spring to maintain the water supply in the event of a siege. Later, in democratic Athens, it was extended as a temple precinct and lost its defensive function. After the victory over the Persians, Athens became the center of the Hellenic world from 448 BC under Pericles as the supreme power of the Attic League. This power and the wealth associated with it were also to be demonstrated through buildings. The Acropolis was completely redesigned by the master builders Iktinos, Mnesikles and Kallikrates under the direction of the ingenious sculptor Phidias.<br /> <br /> <br /> The Propylaia (= "gates"), built between 437 and 432 BC, functioned as the monumental gateway to the Acropolis.<br /> <br /> As early as the end of the 6th century BC, the first gate system was constructed to provide access through the Mycenaean fortress walls. The structure was destroyed by the Persians in 480 BC.<br /> <br /> The changes to the Propylaea during the Classical period were minor. The most significant was the construction of a monumental staircase, probably built during the reign of Claudius. This included a central, inclined plane along which sacrificial animals could be led, as well as a small, curved staircase leading to the Temple of Athena Nike.<br /> <br /> In its post-Classical history, the Propylaea regained a military function in the late 3rd century AD. Sometime during the early Byzantine period, the south wing was converted into a chapel. The central section of the Propylaea was converted into a church in the 10th century AD. During the Crusader occupation, the complex was converted into a fortified residence, similar in form to other castles in the Levant. Later, the Propylaea served as the ducal palace of the Florentine Acciaioli family.<br /> <br /> Under the Ottomans, the Propylaea served as both a powder magazine and a battery emplacement, and suffered significant damage as a result. From 1834 onwards, the medieval and Turkish extensions of the Propylaea were demolished.</div> Athens - Acropolis <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/323415">Martin M. Miles</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/52958902"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/89/02/52958902.fa5d93a2.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="204" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">Athens, the southernmost capital on the European mainland, is one of the world's oldest cities, with its recorded history spanning over 3,400 years. According to Greek mythology the city was named after Athena, the ancient Greek goddess of wisdom. Classical Athens was one of the most powerful city-states in ancient Greece. It was a centre for democracy, the arts, education and philosophy, and was highly influential throughout the European continent, particularly in Ancient Rome. For this reason it is often regarded as the cradle of Western civilisation and the birthplace of democracy.<br /> <br /> <br /> The acropolis is located on a flat rock that rises 150 m above sea level and covers an area of around 3 hectares. It has probably been inhabited since the 6th millennium BC.<br /> <br /> In Mycenaean times, it was the seat of the king from the 14th century BC. A defensive wall was later built in the 13th century BC, which also included access to a spring to maintain the water supply in the event of a siege. Later, in democratic Athens, it was extended as a temple precinct and lost its defensive function. After the victory over the Persians, Athens became the center of the Hellenic world from 448 BC under Pericles as the supreme power of the Attic League. This power and the wealth associated with it were also to be demonstrated through buildings. The Acropolis was completely redesigned by the master builders Iktinos, Mnesikles and Kallikrates under the direction of the ingenious sculptor Phidias.<br /> <br /> <br /> The Propylaia (= "gates"), built between 437 and 432 BC, functioned as the monumental gateway to the Acropolis.<br /> <br /> As early as the end of the 6th century BC, the first gate system was constructed to provide access through the Mycenaean fortress walls. The structure was destroyed by the Persians in 480 BC.<br /> <br /> The changes to the Propylaea during the Classical period were minor. The most significant was the construction of a monumental staircase, probably built during the reign of Claudius. This included a central, inclined plane along which sacrificial animals could be led, as well as a small, curved staircase leading to the Temple of Athena Nike.<br /> <br /> In its post-Classical history, the Propylaea regained a military function in the late 3rd century AD. Sometime during the early Byzantine period, the south wing was converted into a chapel. The central section of the Propylaea was converted into a church in the 10th century AD. During the Crusader occupation, the complex was converted into a fortified residence, similar in form to other castles in the Levant. Later, the Propylaea served as the ducal palace of the Florentine Acciaioli family.<br /> <br /> Under the Ottomans, the Propylaea served as both a powder magazine and a battery emplacement, and suffered significant damage as a result. From 1834 onwards, the medieval and Turkish extensions of the Propylaea were demolished.</div> Martin M. Miles https://www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/52958894 tag:ipernity.com,2025-06-06,doc-52958894 Fri, 06 Jun 2025 21:47:45 +0000 2025-01-01T15:12:10+02:00 nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/323415">Martin M. Miles</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/52958894"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/88/94/52958894.f4d429c7.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="156" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">Athens, the southernmost capital on the European mainland, is one of the world's oldest cities, with its recorded history spanning over 3,400 years. According to Greek mythology the city was named after Athena, the ancient Greek goddess of wisdom. Classical Athens was one of the most powerful city-states in ancient Greece. It was a centre for democracy, the arts, education and philosophy, and was highly influential throughout the European continent, particularly in Ancient Rome. For this reason it is often regarded as the cradle of Western civilisation and the birthplace of democracy.<br /> <br /> <br /> The acropolis is located on a flat rock that rises 150 m above sea level and covers an area of around 3 hectares. It has probably been inhabited since the 6th millennium BC.<br /> <br /> In Mycenaean times, it was the seat of the king from the 14th century BC. A defensive wall was later built in the 13th century BC, which also included access to a spring to maintain the water supply in the event of a siege. Later, in democratic Athens, it was extended as a temple precinct and lost its defensive function. After the victory over the Persians, Athens became the center of the Hellenic world from 448 BC under Pericles as the supreme power of the Attic League. This power and the wealth associated with it were also to be demonstrated through buildings. The Acropolis was completely redesigned by the master builders Iktinos, Mnesikles and Kallikrates under the direction of the ingenious sculptor Phidias.<br /> <br /> <br /> The Propylaia (= "gates"), built between 437 and 432 BC, functioned as the monumental gateway to the Acropolis.<br /> <br /> As early as the end of the 6th century BC, the first gate system was constructed to provide access through the Mycenaean fortress walls. The structure was destroyed by the Persians in 480 BC.<br /> <br /> The changes to the Propylaea during the Classical period were minor. The most significant was the construction of a monumental staircase, probably built during the reign of Claudius. This included a central, inclined plane along which sacrificial animals could be led, as well as a small, curved staircase leading to the Temple of Athena Nike.<br /> <br /> In its post-Classical history, the Propylaea regained a military function in the late 3rd century AD. Sometime during the early Byzantine period, the south wing was converted into a chapel. The central section of the Propylaea was converted into a church in the 10th century AD. During the Crusader occupation, the complex was converted into a fortified residence, similar in form to other castles in the Levant. Later, the Propylaea served as the ducal palace of the Florentine Acciaioli family.<br /> <br /> Under the Ottomans, the Propylaea served as both a powder magazine and a battery emplacement, and suffered significant damage as a result. From 1834 onwards, the medieval and Turkish extensions of the Propylaea were demolished.</div> Athens - Acropolis <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/323415">Martin M. Miles</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/52958894"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/88/94/52958894.f4d429c7.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="156" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">Athens, the southernmost capital on the European mainland, is one of the world's oldest cities, with its recorded history spanning over 3,400 years. According to Greek mythology the city was named after Athena, the ancient Greek goddess of wisdom. Classical Athens was one of the most powerful city-states in ancient Greece. It was a centre for democracy, the arts, education and philosophy, and was highly influential throughout the European continent, particularly in Ancient Rome. For this reason it is often regarded as the cradle of Western civilisation and the birthplace of democracy.<br /> <br /> <br /> The acropolis is located on a flat rock that rises 150 m above sea level and covers an area of around 3 hectares. It has probably been inhabited since the 6th millennium BC.<br /> <br /> In Mycenaean times, it was the seat of the king from the 14th century BC. A defensive wall was later built in the 13th century BC, which also included access to a spring to maintain the water supply in the event of a siege. Later, in democratic Athens, it was extended as a temple precinct and lost its defensive function. After the victory over the Persians, Athens became the center of the Hellenic world from 448 BC under Pericles as the supreme power of the Attic League. This power and the wealth associated with it were also to be demonstrated through buildings. The Acropolis was completely redesigned by the master builders Iktinos, Mnesikles and Kallikrates under the direction of the ingenious sculptor Phidias.<br /> <br /> <br /> The Propylaia (= "gates"), built between 437 and 432 BC, functioned as the monumental gateway to the Acropolis.<br /> <br /> As early as the end of the 6th century BC, the first gate system was constructed to provide access through the Mycenaean fortress walls. The structure was destroyed by the Persians in 480 BC.<br /> <br /> The changes to the Propylaea during the Classical period were minor. The most significant was the construction of a monumental staircase, probably built during the reign of Claudius. This included a central, inclined plane along which sacrificial animals could be led, as well as a small, curved staircase leading to the Temple of Athena Nike.<br /> <br /> In its post-Classical history, the Propylaea regained a military function in the late 3rd century AD. Sometime during the early Byzantine period, the south wing was converted into a chapel. The central section of the Propylaea was converted into a church in the 10th century AD. During the Crusader occupation, the complex was converted into a fortified residence, similar in form to other castles in the Levant. Later, the Propylaea served as the ducal palace of the Florentine Acciaioli family.<br /> <br /> Under the Ottomans, the Propylaea served as both a powder magazine and a battery emplacement, and suffered significant damage as a result. From 1834 onwards, the medieval and Turkish extensions of the Propylaea were demolished.</div> Martin M. Miles https://www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/52958536 tag:ipernity.com,2025-06-06,doc-52958536 Fri, 06 Jun 2025 15:02:22 +0000 2025-01-01T15:11:46+02:00 nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/323415">Martin M. Miles</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/52958536"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/85/36/52958536.33b717f1.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="129" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">Athens, the southernmost capital on the European mainland, is one of the world's oldest cities, with its recorded history spanning over 3,400 years. According to Greek mythology the city was named after Athena, the ancient Greek goddess of wisdom. Classical Athens was one of the most powerful city-states in ancient Greece. It was a centre for democracy, the arts, education and philosophy, and was highly influential throughout the European continent, particularly in Ancient Rome. For this reason it is often regarded as the cradle of Western civilisation and the birthplace of democracy.<br /> <br /> <br /> The acropolis is located on a flat rock that rises 150 m above sea level and covers an area of around 3 hectares. It has probably been inhabited since the 6th millennium BC.<br /> <br /> In Mycenaean times, it was the seat of the king from the 14th century BC. A defensive wall was later built in the 13th century BC, which also included access to a spring to maintain the water supply in the event of a siege. Later, in democratic Athens, it was extended as a temple precinct and lost its defensive function. After the victory over the Persians, Athens became the center of the Hellenic world from 448 BC under Pericles as the supreme power of the Attic League. This power and the wealth associated with it were also to be demonstrated through buildings. The Acropolis was completely redesigned by the master builders Iktinos, Mnesikles and Kallikrates under the direction of the ingenious sculptor Phidias.<br /> <br /> <br /> The Temple of Athena Nike was built around 420 BC. It has a prominent position on a steep bastion at the south west corner of the Acropolis. The temple replaced a previous building destroyed during the Persian occupation of the Acropolis in 480 BC. Nike was the goddess of victory in Greek mythology, and Athena was worshipped in this form, representative of being victorious in war.<br /> <br /> In the 16th century, the temple was converted into a powder magazine under the Ottomans, and large quantities of powder were buried beneath the floor. In 1687, the Ottomans demolished the temple to use its stones to reinforce the Acropolis's defenses against the Venetians. The material was used between the Pinacoteca and the bastion. Parts of the Nike balustrade were also incorporated into this section of the bastion.<br /> <br /> After the liberation of Greece, the components of the bastion were salvaged, and the temple was rebuilt in 1836. By the early 20th century, research on the temple had already advanced considerably and so the Greek Antiquities Service decided to relocate and rebuild the building.<br /> The temple was once again completely reconstructed starting in 1998, using more contemporary means and methods and incorporating additional parts that had since been identified as belonging to the temple.</div> Athens - Acropolis <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/323415">Martin M. Miles</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/52958536"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/85/36/52958536.33b717f1.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="129" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">Athens, the southernmost capital on the European mainland, is one of the world's oldest cities, with its recorded history spanning over 3,400 years. According to Greek mythology the city was named after Athena, the ancient Greek goddess of wisdom. Classical Athens was one of the most powerful city-states in ancient Greece. It was a centre for democracy, the arts, education and philosophy, and was highly influential throughout the European continent, particularly in Ancient Rome. For this reason it is often regarded as the cradle of Western civilisation and the birthplace of democracy.<br /> <br /> <br /> The acropolis is located on a flat rock that rises 150 m above sea level and covers an area of around 3 hectares. It has probably been inhabited since the 6th millennium BC.<br /> <br /> In Mycenaean times, it was the seat of the king from the 14th century BC. A defensive wall was later built in the 13th century BC, which also included access to a spring to maintain the water supply in the event of a siege. Later, in democratic Athens, it was extended as a temple precinct and lost its defensive function. After the victory over the Persians, Athens became the center of the Hellenic world from 448 BC under Pericles as the supreme power of the Attic League. This power and the wealth associated with it were also to be demonstrated through buildings. The Acropolis was completely redesigned by the master builders Iktinos, Mnesikles and Kallikrates under the direction of the ingenious sculptor Phidias.<br /> <br /> <br /> The Temple of Athena Nike was built around 420 BC. It has a prominent position on a steep bastion at the south west corner of the Acropolis. The temple replaced a previous building destroyed during the Persian occupation of the Acropolis in 480 BC. Nike was the goddess of victory in Greek mythology, and Athena was worshipped in this form, representative of being victorious in war.<br /> <br /> In the 16th century, the temple was converted into a powder magazine under the Ottomans, and large quantities of powder were buried beneath the floor. In 1687, the Ottomans demolished the temple to use its stones to reinforce the Acropolis's defenses against the Venetians. The material was used between the Pinacoteca and the bastion. Parts of the Nike balustrade were also incorporated into this section of the bastion.<br /> <br /> After the liberation of Greece, the components of the bastion were salvaged, and the temple was rebuilt in 1836. By the early 20th century, research on the temple had already advanced considerably and so the Greek Antiquities Service decided to relocate and rebuild the building.<br /> The temple was once again completely reconstructed starting in 1998, using more contemporary means and methods and incorporating additional parts that had since been identified as belonging to the temple.</div> Martin M. Miles https://www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/52958532 tag:ipernity.com,2025-06-06,doc-52958532 Fri, 06 Jun 2025 14:41:12 +0000 2025-01-01T15:15:21+02:00 nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/323415">Martin M. Miles</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/52958532"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/85/32/52958532.ae88eabd.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">Athens, the southernmost capital on the European mainland, is one of the world's oldest cities, with its recorded history spanning over 3,400 years. According to Greek mythology the city was named after Athena, the ancient Greek goddess of wisdom. Classical Athens was one of the most powerful city-states in ancient Greece. It was a centre for democracy, the arts, education and philosophy, and was highly influential throughout the European continent, particularly in Ancient Rome. For this reason it is often regarded as the cradle of Western civilisation and the birthplace of democracy.<br /> <br /> <br /> The acropolis is located on a flat rock that rises 150 m above sea level and covers an area of around 3 hectares. It has probably been inhabited since the 6th millennium BC.<br /> <br /> In Mycenaean times, it was the seat of the king from the 14th century BC. A defensive wall was later built in the 13th century BC, which also included access to a spring to maintain the water supply in the event of a siege. Later, in democratic Athens, it was extended as a temple precinct and lost its defensive function. After the victory over the Persians, Athens became the center of the Hellenic world from 448 BC under Pericles as the supreme power of the Attic League. This power and the wealth associated with it were also to be demonstrated through buildings. The Acropolis was completely redesigned by the master builders Iktinos, Mnesikles and Kallikrates under the direction of the ingenious sculptor Phidias.<br /> <br /> <br /> The Temple of Athena Nike was built around 420 BC. It has a prominent position on a steep bastion at the south west corner of the Acropolis. The temple replaced a previous building destroyed during the Persian occupation of the Acropolis in 480 BC. Nike was the goddess of victory in Greek mythology, and Athena was worshipped in this form, representative of being victorious in war.<br /> <br /> In the 16th century, the temple was converted into a powder magazine under the Ottomans, and large quantities of powder were buried beneath the floor. In 1687, the Ottomans demolished the temple to use its stones to reinforce the Acropolis's defenses against the Venetians. The material was used between the Pinacoteca and the bastion. Parts of the Nike balustrade were also incorporated into this section of the bastion.<br /> <br /> After the liberation of Greece, the components of the bastion were salvaged, and the temple was rebuilt in 1836. By the early 20th century, research on the temple had already advanced considerably and so the Greek Antiquities Service decided to relocate and rebuild the building.<br /> The temple was once again completely reconstructed starting in 1998, using more contemporary means and methods and incorporating additional parts that had since been identified as belonging to the temple.</div> Athens - Acropolis <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/323415">Martin M. Miles</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/52958532"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/85/32/52958532.ae88eabd.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="180" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">Athens, the southernmost capital on the European mainland, is one of the world's oldest cities, with its recorded history spanning over 3,400 years. According to Greek mythology the city was named after Athena, the ancient Greek goddess of wisdom. Classical Athens was one of the most powerful city-states in ancient Greece. It was a centre for democracy, the arts, education and philosophy, and was highly influential throughout the European continent, particularly in Ancient Rome. For this reason it is often regarded as the cradle of Western civilisation and the birthplace of democracy.<br /> <br /> <br /> The acropolis is located on a flat rock that rises 150 m above sea level and covers an area of around 3 hectares. It has probably been inhabited since the 6th millennium BC.<br /> <br /> In Mycenaean times, it was the seat of the king from the 14th century BC. A defensive wall was later built in the 13th century BC, which also included access to a spring to maintain the water supply in the event of a siege. Later, in democratic Athens, it was extended as a temple precinct and lost its defensive function. After the victory over the Persians, Athens became the center of the Hellenic world from 448 BC under Pericles as the supreme power of the Attic League. This power and the wealth associated with it were also to be demonstrated through buildings. The Acropolis was completely redesigned by the master builders Iktinos, Mnesikles and Kallikrates under the direction of the ingenious sculptor Phidias.<br /> <br /> <br /> The Temple of Athena Nike was built around 420 BC. It has a prominent position on a steep bastion at the south west corner of the Acropolis. The temple replaced a previous building destroyed during the Persian occupation of the Acropolis in 480 BC. Nike was the goddess of victory in Greek mythology, and Athena was worshipped in this form, representative of being victorious in war.<br /> <br /> In the 16th century, the temple was converted into a powder magazine under the Ottomans, and large quantities of powder were buried beneath the floor. In 1687, the Ottomans demolished the temple to use its stones to reinforce the Acropolis's defenses against the Venetians. The material was used between the Pinacoteca and the bastion. Parts of the Nike balustrade were also incorporated into this section of the bastion.<br /> <br /> After the liberation of Greece, the components of the bastion were salvaged, and the temple was rebuilt in 1836. By the early 20th century, research on the temple had already advanced considerably and so the Greek Antiquities Service decided to relocate and rebuild the building.<br /> The temple was once again completely reconstructed starting in 1998, using more contemporary means and methods and incorporating additional parts that had since been identified as belonging to the temple.</div> Martin M. Miles https://www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/52958426 tag:ipernity.com,2025-06-06,doc-52958426 Fri, 06 Jun 2025 11:38:08 +0000 2025-01-01T14:58:24+02:00 nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/323415">Martin M. Miles</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/52958426"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/84/26/52958426.f1287b7f.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="142" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">Athens, the southernmost capital on the European mainland, is one of the world's oldest cities, with its recorded history spanning over 3,400 years. According to Greek mythology the city was named after Athena, the ancient Greek goddess of wisdom. Classical Athens was one of the most powerful city-states in ancient Greece. It was a centre for democracy, the arts, education and philosophy, and was highly influential throughout the European continent, particularly in Ancient Rome. For this reason it is often regarded as the cradle of Western civilisation and the birthplace of democracy.<br /> <br /> <br /> The acropolis is located on a flat rock that rises 150 m above sea level and covers an area of around 3 hectares. It has probably been inhabited since the 6th millennium BC.<br /> <br /> In Mycenaean times, it was the seat of the king from the 14th century BC. A defensive wall was later built in the 13th century BC, which also included access to a spring to maintain the water supply in the event of a siege. Later, in democratic Athens, it was extended as a temple precinct and lost its defensive function. After the victory over the Persians, Athens became the center of the Hellenic world from 448 BC under Pericles as the supreme power of the Attic League. This power and the wealth associated with it were also to be demonstrated through buildings. The Acropolis was completely redesigned by the master builders Iktinos, Mnesikles and Kallikrates under the direction of the ingenious sculptor Phidias.<br /> <br /> <br /> The Temple of Athena Nike was built around 420 BC. It has a prominent position on a steep bastion at the south west corner of the Acropolis. The temple replaced a previous building destroyed during the Persian occupation of the Acropolis in 480 BC. Nike was the goddess of victory in Greek mythology, and Athena was worshipped in this form, representative of being victorious in war.<br /> <br /> In the 16th century, the temple was converted into a powder magazine under the Ottomans, and large quantities of powder were buried beneath the floor. In 1687, the Ottomans demolished the temple to use its stones to reinforce the Acropolis's defenses against the Venetians. The material was used between the Pinacoteca and the bastion. Parts of the Nike balustrade were also incorporated into this section of the bastion.<br /> <br /> After the liberation of Greece, the components of the bastion were salvaged, and the temple was rebuilt in 1836. By the early 20th century, research on the temple had already advanced considerably and so the Greek Antiquities Service decided to relocate and rebuild the building.<br /> The temple was once again completely reconstructed starting in 1998, using more contemporary means and methods and incorporating additional parts that had since been identified as belonging to the temple.</div> Athens - Acropolis <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/323415">Martin M. Miles</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/52958426"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/84/26/52958426.f1287b7f.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="142" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">Athens, the southernmost capital on the European mainland, is one of the world's oldest cities, with its recorded history spanning over 3,400 years. According to Greek mythology the city was named after Athena, the ancient Greek goddess of wisdom. Classical Athens was one of the most powerful city-states in ancient Greece. It was a centre for democracy, the arts, education and philosophy, and was highly influential throughout the European continent, particularly in Ancient Rome. For this reason it is often regarded as the cradle of Western civilisation and the birthplace of democracy.<br /> <br /> <br /> The acropolis is located on a flat rock that rises 150 m above sea level and covers an area of around 3 hectares. It has probably been inhabited since the 6th millennium BC.<br /> <br /> In Mycenaean times, it was the seat of the king from the 14th century BC. A defensive wall was later built in the 13th century BC, which also included access to a spring to maintain the water supply in the event of a siege. Later, in democratic Athens, it was extended as a temple precinct and lost its defensive function. After the victory over the Persians, Athens became the center of the Hellenic world from 448 BC under Pericles as the supreme power of the Attic League. This power and the wealth associated with it were also to be demonstrated through buildings. The Acropolis was completely redesigned by the master builders Iktinos, Mnesikles and Kallikrates under the direction of the ingenious sculptor Phidias.<br /> <br /> <br /> The Temple of Athena Nike was built around 420 BC. It has a prominent position on a steep bastion at the south west corner of the Acropolis. The temple replaced a previous building destroyed during the Persian occupation of the Acropolis in 480 BC. Nike was the goddess of victory in Greek mythology, and Athena was worshipped in this form, representative of being victorious in war.<br /> <br /> In the 16th century, the temple was converted into a powder magazine under the Ottomans, and large quantities of powder were buried beneath the floor. In 1687, the Ottomans demolished the temple to use its stones to reinforce the Acropolis's defenses against the Venetians. The material was used between the Pinacoteca and the bastion. Parts of the Nike balustrade were also incorporated into this section of the bastion.<br /> <br /> After the liberation of Greece, the components of the bastion were salvaged, and the temple was rebuilt in 1836. By the early 20th century, research on the temple had already advanced considerably and so the Greek Antiquities Service decided to relocate and rebuild the building.<br /> The temple was once again completely reconstructed starting in 1998, using more contemporary means and methods and incorporating additional parts that had since been identified as belonging to the temple.</div> Martin M. Miles https://www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/52958420 tag:ipernity.com,2025-06-06,doc-52958420 Fri, 06 Jun 2025 11:34:18 +0000 2025-01-01T13:34:18+02:00 nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/323415">Martin M. Miles</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/52958420"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/84/20/52958420.ba288acd.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="157" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">Athens, the southernmost capital on the European mainland, is one of the world's oldest cities, with its recorded history spanning over 3,400 years. According to Greek mythology the city was named after Athena, the ancient Greek goddess of wisdom. Classical Athens was one of the most powerful city-states in ancient Greece. It was a centre for democracy, the arts, education and philosophy, and was highly influential throughout the European continent, particularly in Ancient Rome. For this reason it is often regarded as the cradle of Western civilisation and the birthplace of democracy.<br /> <br /> <br /> The acropolis is located on a flat rock that rises 150 m above sea level and covers an area of around 3 hectares. It has probably been inhabited since the 6th millennium BC.<br /> <br /> In Mycenaean times, it was the seat of the king from the 14th century BC. A defensive wall was later built in the 13th century BC, which also included access to a spring to maintain the water supply in the event of a siege. Later, in democratic Athens, it was extended as a temple precinct and lost its defensive function. After the victory over the Persians, Athens became the center of the Hellenic world from 448 BC under Pericles as the supreme power of the Attic League. This power and the wealth associated with it were also to be demonstrated through buildings. The Acropolis was completely redesigned by the master builders Iktinos, Mnesikles and Kallikrates under the direction of the ingenious sculptor Phidias.<br /> <br /> <br /> The Temple of Athena Nike was built around 420 BC. It has a prominent position on a steep bastion at the south west corner of the Acropolis. The temple replaced a previous building destroyed during the Persian occupation of the Acropolis in 480 BC. Nike was the goddess of victory in Greek mythology, and Athena was worshipped in this form, representative of being victorious in war.<br /> <br /> In the 16th century, the temple was converted into a powder magazine under the Ottomans, and large quantities of powder were buried beneath the floor. In 1687, the Ottomans demolished the temple to use its stones to reinforce the Acropolis's defenses against the Venetians. The material was used between the Pinacoteca and the bastion. Parts of the Nike balustrade were also incorporated into this section of the bastion.<br /> <br /> After the liberation of Greece, the components of the bastion were salvaged, and the temple was rebuilt in 1836. By the early 20th century, research on the temple had already advanced considerably and so the Greek Antiquities Service decided to relocate and rebuild the building.<br /> The temple was once again completely reconstructed starting in 1998, using more contemporary means and methods and incorporating additional parts that had since been identified as belonging to the temple.</div> Athens - Acropolis <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/323415">Martin M. Miles</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/52958420"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/84/20/52958420.ba288acd.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="157" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">Athens, the southernmost capital on the European mainland, is one of the world's oldest cities, with its recorded history spanning over 3,400 years. According to Greek mythology the city was named after Athena, the ancient Greek goddess of wisdom. Classical Athens was one of the most powerful city-states in ancient Greece. It was a centre for democracy, the arts, education and philosophy, and was highly influential throughout the European continent, particularly in Ancient Rome. For this reason it is often regarded as the cradle of Western civilisation and the birthplace of democracy.<br /> <br /> <br /> The acropolis is located on a flat rock that rises 150 m above sea level and covers an area of around 3 hectares. It has probably been inhabited since the 6th millennium BC.<br /> <br /> In Mycenaean times, it was the seat of the king from the 14th century BC. A defensive wall was later built in the 13th century BC, which also included access to a spring to maintain the water supply in the event of a siege. Later, in democratic Athens, it was extended as a temple precinct and lost its defensive function. After the victory over the Persians, Athens became the center of the Hellenic world from 448 BC under Pericles as the supreme power of the Attic League. This power and the wealth associated with it were also to be demonstrated through buildings. The Acropolis was completely redesigned by the master builders Iktinos, Mnesikles and Kallikrates under the direction of the ingenious sculptor Phidias.<br /> <br /> <br /> The Temple of Athena Nike was built around 420 BC. It has a prominent position on a steep bastion at the south west corner of the Acropolis. The temple replaced a previous building destroyed during the Persian occupation of the Acropolis in 480 BC. Nike was the goddess of victory in Greek mythology, and Athena was worshipped in this form, representative of being victorious in war.<br /> <br /> In the 16th century, the temple was converted into a powder magazine under the Ottomans, and large quantities of powder were buried beneath the floor. In 1687, the Ottomans demolished the temple to use its stones to reinforce the Acropolis's defenses against the Venetians. The material was used between the Pinacoteca and the bastion. Parts of the Nike balustrade were also incorporated into this section of the bastion.<br /> <br /> After the liberation of Greece, the components of the bastion were salvaged, and the temple was rebuilt in 1836. By the early 20th century, research on the temple had already advanced considerably and so the Greek Antiquities Service decided to relocate and rebuild the building.<br /> The temple was once again completely reconstructed starting in 1998, using more contemporary means and methods and incorporating additional parts that had since been identified as belonging to the temple.</div> Martin M. Miles https://www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/52957898 tag:ipernity.com,2025-06-05,doc-52957898 Thu, 05 Jun 2025 21:34:08 +0000 2025-01-01T15:05:26+02:00 nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/323415">Martin M. Miles</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/52957898"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/78/98/52957898.d401153b.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="168" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">Athens, the southernmost capital on the European mainland, is one of the world's oldest cities, with its recorded history spanning over 3,400 years. According to Greek mythology the city was named after Athena, the ancient Greek goddess of wisdom. Classical Athens was one of the most powerful city-states in ancient Greece. It was a centre for democracy, the arts, education and philosophy, and was highly influential throughout the European continent, particularly in Ancient Rome. For this reason it is often regarded as the cradle of Western civilisation and the birthplace of democracy.<br /> <br /> The acropolis is located on a flat rock that rises 150 m above sea level and covers an area of around 3 hectares. It has probably been inhabited since the 6th millennium BC.<br /> <br /> In Mycenaean times, it was the seat of the king from the 14th century BC. A defensive wall was later built in the 13th century BC, which also included access to a spring to maintain the water supply in the event of a siege. Later, in democratic Athens, it was extended as a temple precinct and lost its defensive function. After the victory over the Persians, Athens became the center of the Hellenic world from 448 BC under Pericles as the supreme power of the Attic League. This power and the wealth associated with it were also to be demonstrated through buildings. The Acropolis was completely redesigned by the master builders Iktinos, Mnesikles and Kallikrates under the direction of the ingenious sculptor Phidias.<br /> <br /> <br /> The Temple of Athena Nike was built around 420 BC. It has a prominent position on a steep bastion at the south west corner of the Acropolis. The temple replaced a previous building destroyed during the Persian occupation of the Acropolis in 480 BC. Nike was the goddess of victory in Greek mythology, and Athena was worshipped in this form, representative of being victorious in war.<br /> <br /> In the 16th century, the temple was converted into a powder magazine under the Ottomans, and large quantities of powder were buried beneath the floor. In 1687, the Ottomans demolished the temple to use its stones to reinforce the Acropolis's defenses against the Venetians. The material was used between the Pinacoteca and the bastion. Parts of the Nike balustrade were also incorporated into this section of the bastion.<br /> <br /> After the liberation of Greece, the components of the bastion were salvaged, and the temple was rebuilt in 1836. By the early 20th century, research on the temple had already advanced considerably and so the Greek Antiquities Service decided to relocate and rebuild the building.<br /> The temple was once again completely reconstructed starting in 1998, using more contemporary means and methods and incorporating additional parts that had since been identified as belonging to the temple.</div> Athens - Acropolis <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/323415">Martin M. Miles</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/52957898"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/78/98/52957898.d401153b.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="168" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">Athens, the southernmost capital on the European mainland, is one of the world's oldest cities, with its recorded history spanning over 3,400 years. According to Greek mythology the city was named after Athena, the ancient Greek goddess of wisdom. Classical Athens was one of the most powerful city-states in ancient Greece. It was a centre for democracy, the arts, education and philosophy, and was highly influential throughout the European continent, particularly in Ancient Rome. For this reason it is often regarded as the cradle of Western civilisation and the birthplace of democracy.<br /> <br /> The acropolis is located on a flat rock that rises 150 m above sea level and covers an area of around 3 hectares. It has probably been inhabited since the 6th millennium BC.<br /> <br /> In Mycenaean times, it was the seat of the king from the 14th century BC. A defensive wall was later built in the 13th century BC, which also included access to a spring to maintain the water supply in the event of a siege. Later, in democratic Athens, it was extended as a temple precinct and lost its defensive function. After the victory over the Persians, Athens became the center of the Hellenic world from 448 BC under Pericles as the supreme power of the Attic League. This power and the wealth associated with it were also to be demonstrated through buildings. The Acropolis was completely redesigned by the master builders Iktinos, Mnesikles and Kallikrates under the direction of the ingenious sculptor Phidias.<br /> <br /> <br /> The Temple of Athena Nike was built around 420 BC. It has a prominent position on a steep bastion at the south west corner of the Acropolis. The temple replaced a previous building destroyed during the Persian occupation of the Acropolis in 480 BC. Nike was the goddess of victory in Greek mythology, and Athena was worshipped in this form, representative of being victorious in war.<br /> <br /> In the 16th century, the temple was converted into a powder magazine under the Ottomans, and large quantities of powder were buried beneath the floor. In 1687, the Ottomans demolished the temple to use its stones to reinforce the Acropolis's defenses against the Venetians. The material was used between the Pinacoteca and the bastion. Parts of the Nike balustrade were also incorporated into this section of the bastion.<br /> <br /> After the liberation of Greece, the components of the bastion were salvaged, and the temple was rebuilt in 1836. By the early 20th century, research on the temple had already advanced considerably and so the Greek Antiquities Service decided to relocate and rebuild the building.<br /> The temple was once again completely reconstructed starting in 1998, using more contemporary means and methods and incorporating additional parts that had since been identified as belonging to the temple.</div> Martin M. Miles https://www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/52957892 tag:ipernity.com,2025-06-05,doc-52957892 Thu, 05 Jun 2025 21:09:34 +0000 2025-01-01T14:34:15+02:00 nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/323415">Martin M. Miles</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/52957892"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/78/92/52957892.d531b461.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="167" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">Athens, the southernmost capital on the European mainland, is one of the world's oldest cities, with its recorded history spanning over 3,400 years. According to Greek mythology the city was named after Athena, the ancient Greek goddess of wisdom. Classical Athens was one of the most powerful city-states in ancient Greece. It was a centre for democracy, the arts, education and philosophy, and was highly influential throughout the European continent, particularly in Ancient Rome. For this reason it is often regarded as the cradle of Western civilisation and the birthplace of democracy.<br /> <br /> The acropolis is located on a flat rock that rises 150 m above sea level and covers an area of around 3 hectares. It has probably been inhabited since the 6th millennium BC.<br /> <br /> In Mycenaean times, it was the seat of the king from the 14th century BC. A defensive wall was later built in the 13th century BC, which also included access to a spring to maintain the water supply in the event of a siege. Later, in democratic Athens, it was extended as a temple precinct and lost its defensive function. After the victory over the Persians, Athens became the center of the Hellenic world from 448 BC under Pericles as the supreme power of the Attic League. This power and the wealth associated with it were also to be demonstrated through buildings. The Acropolis was completely redesigned by the master builders Iktinos, Mnesikles and Kallikrates under the direction of the ingenious sculptor Phidias.</div> Athens - Acropolis <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/323415">Martin M. Miles</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/52957892"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/78/92/52957892.d531b461.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="167" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">Athens, the southernmost capital on the European mainland, is one of the world's oldest cities, with its recorded history spanning over 3,400 years. According to Greek mythology the city was named after Athena, the ancient Greek goddess of wisdom. Classical Athens was one of the most powerful city-states in ancient Greece. It was a centre for democracy, the arts, education and philosophy, and was highly influential throughout the European continent, particularly in Ancient Rome. For this reason it is often regarded as the cradle of Western civilisation and the birthplace of democracy.<br /> <br /> The acropolis is located on a flat rock that rises 150 m above sea level and covers an area of around 3 hectares. It has probably been inhabited since the 6th millennium BC.<br /> <br /> In Mycenaean times, it was the seat of the king from the 14th century BC. A defensive wall was later built in the 13th century BC, which also included access to a spring to maintain the water supply in the event of a siege. Later, in democratic Athens, it was extended as a temple precinct and lost its defensive function. After the victory over the Persians, Athens became the center of the Hellenic world from 448 BC under Pericles as the supreme power of the Attic League. This power and the wealth associated with it were also to be demonstrated through buildings. The Acropolis was completely redesigned by the master builders Iktinos, Mnesikles and Kallikrates under the direction of the ingenious sculptor Phidias.</div> Martin M. Miles https://www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/52956254 tag:ipernity.com,2025-06-05,doc-52956254 Thu, 05 Jun 2025 14:33:19 +0000 2025-01-01T14:22:35+02:00 nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/323415">Martin M. Miles</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/52956254"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/62/54/52956254.5d6c6c7e.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="101" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">Athens, the southernmost capital on the European mainland, is one of the world's oldest cities, with its recorded history spanning over 3,400 years. According to Greek mythology the city was named after Athena, the ancient Greek goddess of wisdom. Classical Athens was one of the most powerful city-states in ancient Greece. It was a centre for democracy, the arts, education and philosophy, and was highly influential throughout the European continent, particularly in Ancient Rome. For this reason it is often regarded as the cradle of Western civilisation and the birthplace of democracy.<br /> <br /> The acropolis is located on a flat rock that rises 150 m above sea level and covers an area of around 3 hectares. It has probably been inhabited since the 6th millennium BC.<br /> <br /> In Mycenaean times, it was the seat of the king from the 14th century BC. A defensive wall was later built in the 13th century BC, which also included access to a spring to maintain the water supply in the event of a siege. Later, in democratic Athens, it was extended as a temple precinct and lost its defensive function. After the victory over the Persians, Athens became the center of the Hellenic world from 448 BC under Pericles as the supreme power of the Attic League. This power and the wealth associated with it were also to be demonstrated through buildings. The Acropolis was completely redesigned by the master builders Iktinos, Mnesikles and Kallikrates under the direction of the ingenious sculptor Phidias.<br /> <br /> Over the centuries, hundreds of tourists have carved graffiti into the stones.</div> Athens - Acropolis <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/323415">Martin M. Miles</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/52956254"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/62/54/52956254.5d6c6c7e.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="101" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">Athens, the southernmost capital on the European mainland, is one of the world's oldest cities, with its recorded history spanning over 3,400 years. According to Greek mythology the city was named after Athena, the ancient Greek goddess of wisdom. Classical Athens was one of the most powerful city-states in ancient Greece. It was a centre for democracy, the arts, education and philosophy, and was highly influential throughout the European continent, particularly in Ancient Rome. For this reason it is often regarded as the cradle of Western civilisation and the birthplace of democracy.<br /> <br /> The acropolis is located on a flat rock that rises 150 m above sea level and covers an area of around 3 hectares. It has probably been inhabited since the 6th millennium BC.<br /> <br /> In Mycenaean times, it was the seat of the king from the 14th century BC. A defensive wall was later built in the 13th century BC, which also included access to a spring to maintain the water supply in the event of a siege. Later, in democratic Athens, it was extended as a temple precinct and lost its defensive function. After the victory over the Persians, Athens became the center of the Hellenic world from 448 BC under Pericles as the supreme power of the Attic League. This power and the wealth associated with it were also to be demonstrated through buildings. The Acropolis was completely redesigned by the master builders Iktinos, Mnesikles and Kallikrates under the direction of the ingenious sculptor Phidias.<br /> <br /> Over the centuries, hundreds of tourists have carved graffiti into the stones.</div> Martin M. Miles https://www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/52956088 tag:ipernity.com,2025-06-05,doc-52956088 Thu, 05 Jun 2025 11:22:38 +0000 2025-01-01T13:56:42+02:00 nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/323415">Martin M. Miles</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/52956088"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/60/88/52956088.dce4f7f5.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="166" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">Athens, the southernmost capital on the European mainland, is one of the world's oldest cities, with its recorded history spanning over 3,400 years. According to Greek mythology the city was named after Athena, the ancient Greek goddess of wisdom. Classical Athens was one of the most powerful city-states in ancient Greece. It was a centre for democracy, the arts, education and philosophy, and was highly influential throughout the European continent, particularly in Ancient Rome. For this reason it is often regarded as the cradle of Western civilisation and the birthplace of democracy.<br /> <br /> The acropolis is located on a flat rock that rises 150 m above sea level and covers an area of around 3 hectares. It has probably been inhabited since the 6th millennium BC.<br /> <br /> In Mycenaean times, it was the seat of the king from the 14th century BC. A defensive wall was later built in the 13th century BC, which also included access to a spring to maintain the water supply in the event of a siege. Later, in democratic Athens, it was extended as a temple precinct and lost its defensive function. After the victory over the Persians, Athens became the center of the Hellenic world from 448 BC under Pericles as the supreme power of the Attic League. This power and the wealth associated with it were also to be demonstrated through buildings. The Acropolis was completely redesigned by the master builders Iktinos, Mnesikles and Kallikrates under the direction of the ingenious sculptor Phidias.<br /> <br /> The Erechtheion is a temple in the Ionic architectural style built between approximately 420 and 406 BC.<br /> <br /> The Erechtheion stands on the site of the original palace of the mythical King Erichthonius (Erechtheus I). The temple incorporated several ancient cults for a total of 13 deities and heroes into a complex architectural form. It contained the the wooden cult image of the goddess Athena, supposedly fallen from the sky, which was redecorated annually at the Panathenaic festival.<br /> <br /> The Erechtheion is best known for its vestibule, which, instead of columns, is supported by six larger-than-life figures of girls (korai). They are also called caryatids, however, it is not certain who they represent.<br /> <br /> Over the course of its history, the building has been used for various purposes, often damaging its original form. In the 7th century, it was converted into a Byzantine Christian church.<br /> <br /> One of the six Koren was brought to Great Britain by Lord Elgin in 1811 and is now in the British Museum. The remaining five were replaced by replicas at the end of the 20th century to prevent further damage from the elements.</div> Athens - Acropolis <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/323415">Martin M. Miles</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/52956088"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/60/88/52956088.dce4f7f5.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="166" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">Athens, the southernmost capital on the European mainland, is one of the world's oldest cities, with its recorded history spanning over 3,400 years. According to Greek mythology the city was named after Athena, the ancient Greek goddess of wisdom. Classical Athens was one of the most powerful city-states in ancient Greece. It was a centre for democracy, the arts, education and philosophy, and was highly influential throughout the European continent, particularly in Ancient Rome. For this reason it is often regarded as the cradle of Western civilisation and the birthplace of democracy.<br /> <br /> The acropolis is located on a flat rock that rises 150 m above sea level and covers an area of around 3 hectares. It has probably been inhabited since the 6th millennium BC.<br /> <br /> In Mycenaean times, it was the seat of the king from the 14th century BC. A defensive wall was later built in the 13th century BC, which also included access to a spring to maintain the water supply in the event of a siege. Later, in democratic Athens, it was extended as a temple precinct and lost its defensive function. After the victory over the Persians, Athens became the center of the Hellenic world from 448 BC under Pericles as the supreme power of the Attic League. This power and the wealth associated with it were also to be demonstrated through buildings. The Acropolis was completely redesigned by the master builders Iktinos, Mnesikles and Kallikrates under the direction of the ingenious sculptor Phidias.<br /> <br /> The Erechtheion is a temple in the Ionic architectural style built between approximately 420 and 406 BC.<br /> <br /> The Erechtheion stands on the site of the original palace of the mythical King Erichthonius (Erechtheus I). The temple incorporated several ancient cults for a total of 13 deities and heroes into a complex architectural form. It contained the the wooden cult image of the goddess Athena, supposedly fallen from the sky, which was redecorated annually at the Panathenaic festival.<br /> <br /> The Erechtheion is best known for its vestibule, which, instead of columns, is supported by six larger-than-life figures of girls (korai). They are also called caryatids, however, it is not certain who they represent.<br /> <br /> Over the course of its history, the building has been used for various purposes, often damaging its original form. In the 7th century, it was converted into a Byzantine Christian church.<br /> <br /> One of the six Koren was brought to Great Britain by Lord Elgin in 1811 and is now in the British Museum. The remaining five were replaced by replicas at the end of the 20th century to prevent further damage from the elements.</div> Martin M. Miles https://www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/52956080 tag:ipernity.com,2025-06-05,doc-52956080 Thu, 05 Jun 2025 11:11:47 +0000 2025-01-01T14:29:57+02:00 nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/323415">Martin M. Miles</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/52956080"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/60/80/52956080.1b7e64ad.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="160" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">Athens, the southernmost capital on the European mainland, is one of the world's oldest cities, with its recorded history spanning over 3,400 years. According to Greek mythology the city was named after Athena, the ancient Greek goddess of wisdom. Classical Athens was one of the most powerful city-states in ancient Greece. It was a centre for democracy, the arts, education and philosophy, and was highly influential throughout the European continent, particularly in Ancient Rome. For this reason it is often regarded as the cradle of Western civilisation and the birthplace of democracy.<br /> <br /> The acropolis is located on a flat rock that rises 150 m above sea level and covers an area of around 3 hectares. It has probably been inhabited since the 6th millennium BC.<br /> <br /> In Mycenaean times, it was the seat of the king from the 14th century BC. A defensive wall was later built in the 13th century BC, which also included access to a spring to maintain the water supply in the event of a siege. Later, in democratic Athens, it was extended as a temple precinct and lost its defensive function. After the victory over the Persians, Athens became the center of the Hellenic world from 448 BC under Pericles as the supreme power of the Attic League. This power and the wealth associated with it were also to be demonstrated through buildings. The Acropolis was completely redesigned by the master builders Iktinos, Mnesikles and Kallikrates under the direction of the ingenious sculptor Phidias.<br /> <br /> The Erechtheion is a temple in the Ionic architectural style built between approximately 420 and 406 BC.<br /> <br /> The Erechtheion stands on the site of the original palace of the mythical King Erichthonius (Erechtheus I). The temple incorporated several ancient cults for a total of 13 deities and heroes into a complex architectural form. It contained the the wooden cult image of the goddess Athena, supposedly fallen from the sky, which was redecorated annually at the Panathenaic festival.<br /> <br /> The Erechtheion is best known for its vestibule, which, instead of columns, is supported by six larger-than-life figures of girls (korai). They are also called caryatids, however, it is not certain who they represent.<br /> <br /> Over the course of its history, the building has been used for various purposes, often damaging its original form. In the 7th century, it was converted into a Byzantine Christian church.<br /> <br /> One of the six Koren was brought to Great Britain by Lord Elgin in 1811 and is now in the British Museum. The remaining five were replaced by replicas at the end of the 20th century to prevent further damage from the elements.</div> Athens - Acropolis <p class="who"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/home/323415">Martin M. Miles</a> has posted:</p><p class="preview"><a href="https://www.ipernity.com/doc/323415/52956080"><img src="https://cdn.ipernity.com/200/60/80/52956080.1b7e64ad.240.jpg?r2" width="240" height="160" alt=""/></a></p><div class="description">Athens, the southernmost capital on the European mainland, is one of the world's oldest cities, with its recorded history spanning over 3,400 years. According to Greek mythology the city was named after Athena, the ancient Greek goddess of wisdom. Classical Athens was one of the most powerful city-states in ancient Greece. It was a centre for democracy, the arts, education and philosophy, and was highly influential throughout the European continent, particularly in Ancient Rome. For this reason it is often regarded as the cradle of Western civilisation and the birthplace of democracy.<br /> <br /> The acropolis is located on a flat rock that rises 150 m above sea level and covers an area of around 3 hectares. It has probably been inhabited since the 6th millennium BC.<br /> <br /> In Mycenaean times, it was the seat of the king from the 14th century BC. A defensive wall was later built in the 13th century BC, which also included access to a spring to maintain the water supply in the event of a siege. Later, in democratic Athens, it was extended as a temple precinct and lost its defensive function. After the victory over the Persians, Athens became the center of the Hellenic world from 448 BC under Pericles as the supreme power of the Attic League. This power and the wealth associated with it were also to be demonstrated through buildings. The Acropolis was completely redesigned by the master builders Iktinos, Mnesikles and Kallikrates under the direction of the ingenious sculptor Phidias.<br /> <br /> The Erechtheion is a temple in the Ionic architectural style built between approximately 420 and 406 BC.<br /> <br /> The Erechtheion stands on the site of the original palace of the mythical King Erichthonius (Erechtheus I). The temple incorporated several ancient cults for a total of 13 deities and heroes into a complex architectural form. It contained the the wooden cult image of the goddess Athena, supposedly fallen from the sky, which was redecorated annually at the Panathenaic festival.<br /> <br /> The Erechtheion is best known for its vestibule, which, instead of columns, is supported by six larger-than-life figures of girls (korai). They are also called caryatids, however, it is not certain who they represent.<br /> <br /> Over the course of its history, the building has been used for various purposes, often damaging its original form. In the 7th century, it was converted into a Byzantine Christian church.<br /> <br /> One of the six Koren was brought to Great Britain by Lord Elgin in 1811 and is now in the British Museum. The remaining five were replaced by replicas at the end of the 20th century to prevent further damage from the elements.</div> Martin M. Miles