The Acropolis

Athena, The Gracious Lady of Athens, [from the root word Atana], a wise daughter with a strange birth, is the goddess of Athens and after whom Athens may have been named.

There is evidence to suggest the name Athens is older than Athena, but the long relationship the two have held, going back to linear B writings, is undeniable.














Athena, by myth, came about this way. The sea nymph Metis was impregnated by her cousin Zeus. Metis was known for her wisdom and discretion, although becoming pregnant by her cousin might challenge the latter.

There was little doubt among the gods that their children would be clever.

Zeus learned that he would have a daughter by Metis, and then a son, who would seize his power. So, he swallowed Metis. That sounds straightforward enough however,










it caused Zeus a "growing" problem. He became pregnant. But Zeus was not equipped to give birth.













So Athena sprang forth through the forehead of Zeus.

Isn't mythology wonderful?













Within this mythology she held many roles and is credited with many achievements. She was incorruptible and invincible. In the Trojan war she protected Achilles, Herakles and
Odysessus. She helped Perseus cut of the head of the Gorgon Medusa.  In peace she helped promote culture and technology. She taught people to build ships, to weave and she invented the flute.























Poseidon challenged her to a battle to see who was worthy to be the protector of Athens. They met on the Acropolis where Poseidon hit the rock and brought forth water. Athena grew the first olive tree and showed that it could provide the people food, oil and wood. She won.

Here the olive tree grows beside the temple of Poseidon on the Acropolis- the tree Athena planted- the first olive tree.

It is great to see the places associated with these great myths.




The Parthenon is Athena's Temple.

It has stood here since 432 BCE

It dominates the skyline of Athens














To get to the Acropolis I walked the Sacred Way or Panathenaic Way on the very stones Socrates, Euripides and Pericles would have walked.





















On the walk up - and is a long walk, wonderful views unfold such as this one of the north face of the Acropolis.



















It is being restored after the damages of time and war. Old stones recovered are interwoven with new stone to fill in the missing pieces. Here you can clearly see the old and new in the Temple Athena Nike [Athena the Victor] at the East flank of the Acropolis.







The view from the entrance is amazing. One thing I have learned on this trip is how pictures cannot begin to do justice to what this site is like.


















These are the last steps up to the Acropolis.






















I simply do not have words to describe this place. The years it represents, its sanctity, its size all simply have to be seen and experienced.

Again, it is a privilege to have this opportunity!