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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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Hadrians Arch opposite the Acropolis.
Hadrians Arch opposite the Acropolis.		 The imposing Corinthian colums at the Temple of Olympian Zeus opposite the Acropolis.
The imposing Corinthian colums at the Temple of Olympian Zeus opposite the Acropolis.		 At the Hadrians Arch with the Acropolis in the background.
At the Hadrians Arch with the Acropolis in the background.		 The first glimpse of the Acropolis and the Parthenon at the apex..
The first glimpse of the Acropolis and the Parthenon at the apex..		 The imposing exterior of the Theater of Emperor Herod Atticus (built in memory of his wife) leading to the Parthenon.
The imposing exterior of the Theater of Emperor Herod Atticus (built in memory of his wife) leading to the Parthenon.
At the Theater of Herod Atticus with the Parthenon looming large on the horizon.
At the Theater of Herod Atticus with the Parthenon looming large on the horizon.		 Exquisite sculpture of the Greek Warrior Goddess Athena from whom Athens gets its name.
Exquisite sculpture of the Greek Warrior Goddess Athena from whom Athens gets its name.		 Behold the Parthenon- the most enduring icon of Athens and Greece.
Behold the Parthenon- the most enduring icon of Athens and Greece.		 Celebrated sculpture of the King of the Grecian Gods Zeus called Jupiter by the Romans.
Celebrated sculpture of the King of the Grecian Gods Zeus called Jupiter by the Romans.		 The Temple of Athena Nike in all her glory.
The Temple of Athena Nike in all her glory.
The majesty of the Parthenon is a tribute to Grecian grandeur.
The majesty of the Parthenon is a tribute to Grecian grandeur.		 Behold the Erechtheion re-built to the Goddess Athena from whom Athens derives its name.
Behold the Erechtheion re-built to the Goddess Athena from whom Athens derives its name.		 Excavated Roman baths next to the Acropolis.
Excavated Roman baths next to the Acropolis.		 The Erechtheion against the beautiful blue sky of Athens.
The Erechtheion against the beautiful blue sky of Athens.		 Uma with her new found feathered friends -Greek posed no problem.
Uma with her new found feathered friends -Greek posed no problem.
The Erechtheion and the Caryatids (priestesses) with Athens as backdrop.
The Erechtheion and the Caryatids (priestesses) with Athens as backdrop.		 The Grandeur of the Theater of Herod Atticus against the modern skyline of Athens
The Grandeur of the Theater of Herod Atticus against the modern skyline of Athens		 Close up of the Caryatids (Priestesses) at the Erechtheion.
Close up of the Caryatids (Priestesses) at the Erechtheion.		 Clay amphoras circa 600-700 BC.
Clay amphoras circa 600-700 BC.		 At the Erechtheion built to commemorate the victory of Athena against Poseidon, over the protection of Athens.
At the Erechtheion built to commemorate the victory of Athena against Poseidon, over the protection of Athens.
Ensemble of exquisitely handcrafted pottery by Greek artisans circa BC.
Ensemble of exquisitely handcrafted pottery by Greek artisans circa BC.		 Restored columns at the Parthenon.
Restored columns at the Parthenon.		 A pose for posterity at the Parthenon!:-)
A pose for posterity at the Parthenon!:-)		 At the Temple of Athena Nike with Athens as backdrop.
At the Temple of Athena Nike with Athens as backdrop.		 The Erechtheion in all its glory built to the warrior Goddess Athena from whom Athens derives its name.
The Erechtheion in all its glory built to the warrior Goddess Athena from whom Athens derives its name.
Ornate Amphora circa 600-700 BC
Ornate Amphora circa 600-700 BC		 In front of the majestic columns of the Erechtheion.
In front of the majestic columns of the Erechtheion.		 Sculpture of a Greek Noblewoman 300-400 BC.
Sculpture of a Greek Noblewoman 300-400 BC.		 Another perspective of the Erechtheion.
Another perspective of the Erechtheion.		 Exquisitely hand crafted vessel with designs from the Hellenic era..
Exquisitely hand crafted vessel with designs from the Hellenic era..
The Odeon of Herod - this is where Yanni delivered his Live at the Acropolis performance.
The Odeon of Herod - this is where Yanni delivered his "Live at the Acropolis" performance.		 Panoramic view of Athens against the majesty of the Theater of Herod Atticus.
Panoramic view of Athens against the majesty of the Theater of Herod Atticus.		 Exquisitely hand crafted and designed Amphoras from the Greek era of triumph and conquest..
Exquisitely hand crafted and designed Amphoras from the Greek era of triumph and conquest..		 The Sanctuary and Theater of Dionysos seen from the Parthenon.
The Sanctuary and Theater of Dionysos seen from the Parthenon.		 Athens skyline as seen from the Acropolis
Athens skyline as seen from the Acropolis
The Sanctuary of Dionysos seen from the Parthenon
The Sanctuary of Dionysos seen from the Parthenon		 Wine goblets of gold crafted by Greek Artisans BC.
Wine goblets of gold crafted by Greek Artisans BC.		 At the Erechtheion at the Acropolis.
At the Erechtheion at the Acropolis.		 Athens Architecture - Ancient against the Modern.
Athens Architecture - Ancient against the Modern.		 With Athens as backdrop from the Temple of Athena Nike.
With Athens as backdrop from the Temple of Athena Nike.
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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