Did You Know?

Did you know that Athens is often referred to as the "Cradle of Western Civilization"? It is widely regarded as the birthplace of democracy, philosophy, and theater. Many influential thinkers, including Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle, lived and taught in Athens, shaping the foundations of Western thought.

Did you know that Athens hosted the first modern Olympic Games in 1896? The Olympics were revived in Athens to celebrate the connection to the ancient Olympic Games held in Olympia, Greece. Today, the Olympic flame is still lit in Olympia and carried to the host city of each Olympic Games.

Did you know that Athens is known for its vibrant street art scene? The city is adorned with colorful and creative murals, graffiti, and street installations. Artists from around the world contribute to the ever-changing urban art landscape, making Athens a haven for street art enthusiasts.

Did you know that Athens is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world? Its recorded history spans over 3,400 years, making it one of the oldest cities in Europe. Athens has been a significant center of civilization and culture since ancient times.

Did you know that the Acropolis, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is located in Athens? The Acropolis is an ancient citadel situated on a rocky outcrop above the city. It houses several iconic ancient Greek structures, including the Parthenon, the Erechtheion, and the Propylaea. It is a symbol of Athens and a testament to its rich history.

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Temple Of Olympian Zeus

When you conjure an image of Zeus, head of the Olympian Gods, king of Greek Gods, the extent of his great namesake temple is appropriate. It was huge, an ambitious vision of the tyrannical rulers of the time, comprising a periphery of 104 Corinthian style columns reaching 17 metres (more than 50 feet) high. A genuine tribute to the “big guy”, indeed!

It took 638 years to complete, despite early dreams, and was eventually finished by the Roman Emperor Hadrian in the 2nd century AD. But it barely got off the ground. Not long after it was declared open for business, a barbarian invasion (roughly 267 AD) resulted in widespread destruction in Athens, and most notably to the Temple of Olympian Zeus. The statue of Zeus in the temple was destroyed by fire in the 5th century AD. Then parts of it were mined for the building of other structures; bit by bit, it was virtually ruined. Rotten luck plagued the temple until the present day when only 16 columns of the massive temple remain, and even now, one of those is prone on the ground, the result of a storm in 1852. Maybe Zeus was not as powerful as we are brought to believe!

What remains is a lesson in objects of worship; the sheer size of the base is clear from the positioning of the leftover columns. Once the largest temple in all of Greece, it is currently a place of awe and some sadness, save for the Greek Pagans who are now permitted to honour their gods in what is left of the Temple of Olympian Zeus.