Despite a cloudy day we perseveired and followed the steps of Thucydides using the Panathenian Way from the Keramikos cemetery to the ancient agora to the Parthenon.
We discussed the Funerary Oration that Pericles delivered to commemorate the fallen Athenian soldiers, after the first year of the Peloponnesian War, not only remarking on the tremendous career of the Athenian leader, but also pointing out the elements in the speech that mirror the attributes of the modern state.
After a brief visit at the Museum of Keramikos, we reviewed the archeological finds of the cemetery and of the ancient Agora of Athens, and made our way up the hill to the Areopagus or Hill of Ares (Greek: Άρειος Πάγος). Areopagus was not only a place of Judicial Review in antiquity, but was also the hill from which St. Paul addressed the Athenians centuries later. The Parthenon, the ultimate symbol of Athenian power was now mere steps away, as we crossed the gate and the temple of Niki (Victory) with the Erectheion (temple to Poseidon) on the right. The fleeting Athenian power that Thucydides describes throughout his historical account is embodied in the buildings on this hill, a reminder for all that power is intoxicating and entrapping.
Visiting the Kerimakos cemetery and the Acropolis today was an amazing experience. One thing that really amazed me is the fact that the ruins we visited were built by people so long ago. The fact that they had the ability to build such magnificent and intricate temples and sturcutes that long ago is amazing.
ReplyDeleteKeramikos cemetery is important because it is where Pericles gave his Funerary Oration. The museum at the cemetery had very interesting art work displayed from the graves. We also saw different items that were burried with ancient athenians; for example toys were burried with children and jewelry boxes with women.
When you get to the top of the Acropolis, there is an amazing view of Athens. From the top of the Acropolis, you can really see how huge Athens is and understand how it has a population of 5.5 million.
We also visited the Agora (marketplace) which is right near Keramikos.
Despite the weather, I am loving Greece so far! The food and atmosphere is great! I lookforward to the places we will be visiting for the rest of the week!
Thucydidean Travellers:
ReplyDeleteHail and I wish you well from London--where the news is YOU ARE IN SNOW! I hope you all packed mittens. Wishing you good luck, warmth and SAFE TRAVELS! Make sure Professor Vamvakas discusses Global Warming with you!
Professor Reeves
I like Professor Reeves's comment about Global Warming, we should have considered that when we were packing shorts and sandals. The Parthenon was so impressive. It was amazing that it being so high up and so huge, those people had to carry it all the way up there and it only took them nine years! The 360 degree view was impossible to photograph, let alone absorb in a short period of time. We compared it to modern-day skyscrapers which show power and wealth, the way that the Athenians wanted to show theirs. Knocked this site off my bucket-list this day.
ReplyDeleteLooking at the Parthenon and other sites it was always unbelievable that these buildings were made without help from modern machines. The manpower and costs must have been incredible. From a distance the Parthenon can be seen among the urban area. It’s a strange sight to see this huge ancient building on a hill surrounded by miles of a city.
ReplyDeleteStanding in front of the Parthenon was incredible. It was so big and such a great structure it was hard to believe that it was built with ancient technology. The view from the walls around the Parthenon was beautiful because you could see the city of Athens and so many surrounding mountains.
ReplyDeleteIt was awsome to see it up close because we saw it from further away the first night we were in Athens.