So it happened that I found myself in Athens, Greece in March. First place to explore being Acropolis, the ‘high city’ with a history of more than 2500 years. Finally getting some use of learning the difference between doric and ionic columns in third year gymnasium, I made it to the top on a beautiful sunny morning. Excellent time of day and year for photographing.
The Parthenon
A living place is never at rest, and as a symbol of culture, science and democracy, Acropolis is still a place of change. Restauration of the Parthenon is ongoing, a task worthy of Sisyphus when you learn of the many threats to it’s existence. The colossal temple built to worship Athena (and to guard the spoils of war and trade), was attacked by devout Christians (who changed it into a cathedral), Ottoman turks (who changed it into a mosque and a gunpowder storage), and Swedish mercenaries (who blew it up by igniting the gunpowder on behalf of the Venetians).
Only the Romans seems to have left it mostly untouched. Then there is the story of Lord Elgin who rescued/acquired/stole the frieze to London in 1816, claiming that the turks who controlled Athens at the time said it was ok. It is still a topic of dispute, perhaps one more excuse for Brexit?
2 thoughts on “Acropolis”