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Andy De (www.andyde.com) | profile | all galleries >> Travelogues from around the World >> Our Greek Odyssey, December 2007 >> Athens – The epicenter of the Greek Empire tree view | thumbnails | slideshow

Athens – The epicenter of the Greek Empire

It was the fulfillment of a personal spiritual saga for me to go to the Acropolis and behold the Parthenon, the legendary Erechtheion and the Temple of Zeus, all of which I had read about in my childhood. However, I was little prepared for the profound spiritual impact I experienced at the Acropolis. A little anecdote I found fascinating was the gift of the olive tree by the warrior Goddess Athena when she was contesting Poseidon for protection of the city. The otherwise humble olive tree that Athena contributed against the salt water stream from Posiedon has become an enduring icon of the Greek culture and heritage, and contributed to this amazing city being named after its patron warrior Goddess, that otherwise may well have been called Poseidonia!
Here is my modest tribute to the magnificence and grandeur of what was the epicenter of the ancient and once omnipotent Greek Empire.

PLEASE CLICK "SLIDESHOW" ON THE UPPER RIGHT CORNER TO ENJOY THESE PHOTOS IN SLIDESHOW MODE.
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Restored columns from the Street of Tripods at ancient Acropolis.
Restored columns from the Street of Tripods at ancient Acropolis.		 Exquisite amphora from the Acropolis circa BC.
Exquisite amphora from the Acropolis circa BC.		 The Theater of Dionysus with Athens as backdrop.
The Theater of Dionysus with Athens as backdrop.		 Grecian palace (Zappeion) within the gardens next to the Acropolis.
Grecian palace (Zappeion) within the gardens next to the Acropolis.		 The Parthenon illuminated at night, with a special effect halo courtesy of the photographer.
The Parthenon illuminated at night, with a special effect halo courtesy of the photographer.
Masks pottery and curios on display next to the Acropolis.
Masks pottery and curios on display next to the Acropolis.		 The grandeur of the Erechtheon is sublime yet overwhelming.
The grandeur of the Erechtheon is sublime yet overwhelming.		 Modern day curios and artifacts on display next to the Acropolis.
Modern day curios and artifacts on display next to the Acropolis.		 Astronomically priced apartments next to the Acropolis.
Astronomically priced apartments next to the Acropolis.		 Elaborate bust of Greek Diva Melina Mercouri, opposite the Hadrians Arch, next to the Acropolis.
Elaborate bust of Greek Diva Melina Mercouri, opposite the Hadrians Arch, next to the Acropolis.
The Flying Dolphin Fleet for voyages from the Piraeus Harbor in Athens all across Greece, departing daily from Piraeus.
The Flying Dolphin Fleet for voyages from the Piraeus Harbor in Athens all across Greece, departing daily from Piraeus.		 Luxury hydrofoil with impressive Greek Orthodox Church in the background at Piraeus harborfront.
Luxury hydrofoil with impressive Greek Orthodox Church in the background at Piraeus harborfront.		 Speedboats and hydrofoils to the Greek Cyclades (islands) that depart daily from the Piraeus Harbor in Athens.
Speedboats and hydrofoils to the Greek Cyclades (islands) that depart daily from the Piraeus Harbor in Athens.		 One of the tallest Christmas trees in Europe at Syntagma Square in Athens.
One of the tallest Christmas trees in Europe at Syntagma Square in Athens.		 Happy Camper on Christmas Eve.
Happy Camper on Christmas Eve.
Hey, I thought Santa only rode reindeers!:-)
Hey, I thought Santa only rode reindeers!:-)		 Yeah, I am a happy camper but can sure use some affection!:-)
Yeah, I am a happy camper but can sure use some affection!:-)
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