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Biblical References
Biblical References
Acts 17:14-18:1
Acts 17:14-18:1
Paul's message had been more favourably received at Berea than at Thessalonica. However, the Jews of Thessalonica followed him there, so Silas and Timothy sent him away, by ship, to Athens. While he was waiting for them to come by foot he ministered alone in Athens. He aroused some interest among philosophers there and was invited to speak at the Areopagus. Using an "altar to an unknown God", which he had observed in the city, he introduced them to the "Lord of heaven and earth" and spoke of God's call to repentance in the name of his appointed one, "raised from the dead".
1 Thessalonians 3:1
1 Thessalonians 3:1
Paul's first letter to the Thessalonians, recounts his decision to send Timothy back to them from Athens, to encourage those who had come to faith.
Other References
Other References
Athens is also mentioned in the Old Testament apocrypha: 2 Maccabees 9:15
Visiting the Site
Visiting the Site
Athens is a large modern city but inextricably connected to its ancient past. I will never forget the first time I saw the acropolis, with a partial view of the Parthenon, from the corner of Athinas and Ermou streets: the sudden realisation that, for many people, these ancient monuments, the stuff of history books and TV documentaries, simply form the backdrop to contemporary life, was a bit mind blowing.
Of course, there is a great deal to see in Athens. The list below is a but a sample of what it is possible to see on the acropolis and its immediate surrounds. The coordinates listed below could be used to create a walking tour on your mobile device, but is not intended to provide anything like a comprehensive tour of the sights.
Click here for a Google Earth view of the Acropolis of Athens. Note also the Acropolis Museum and the Temple of Olympian Zeus as the image rotates.
Access to the Acropolis of Athens
Access to the Acropolis of Athens
Access to the acropolis is from the west. If you don't have a ticket already, get to this spot to find a ticket booth.
View of the Odeon of Herodes Atticus
View of the Odeon of Herodes Atticus
At this point, the track up the southern side of the acropolis provides a view straight down into the odeon, which is till used for theatrical performances.
Below left: View of the Odeon of Herodes Atticus from above. The coordinates noted here are close to the people at the top right of the photo. Photo: 3 Jun 2012
Propylaea
Propylaea
The steps up to the propylaea (monumental gateway) are impressive but even more inspiring is the forest of massive columns forming the gateway itself.
Look up to the right for a view of the Temple of Athena Nike on a prominence at the south western corner of the acropolis.
Above right: Some of the magnificent columns forming the gateway to the acropolis. Photo: 14 May 2010
The Parthenon
The Parthenon
When you emerge from the gateway you are immediately confronted by the west pediment of the Parthenon. The first time I visited, 2008, I was surprised to find the Parthenon almost completely draped in scaffolding for restoration works. I haven't been back since 2013, so I imagine it is quite different today.
Below Left: Corner of the East Pediment of the Parthenon. Photo: 31 May 2013
The Erechtheion
The Erechtheion
To the north of the Parthenon stands the Erechtheion, with the well-known Porch of the Caryatids on its south western corner.
Above right: Porch of the Caryatids. Photo:14 May 2010
View over the city
View over the city
At the eastern end of the acropolis is a raised platform with views over the city, including the Temple of Olympian Zeus. A large Greek flag usually flies proudly from this vantage point.
The Areopagus (Mars Hill)
The Areopagus (Mars Hill)
After exiting the acropolis, paths to the north east lead to this access to Mars Hill. There are steel stairs to the left but, for the more sure footed, marble steps to the right. Take care: the marble, polished by centuries of foot traffic, can be very slippery!
The Tower of the Winds
The Tower of the Winds
An octagonal building that functioned as a combined timepiece and weather station.
Library of Hadrian
Library of Hadrian
Reading rooms and a repository for scrolls, established by the emperor Hadrian, 2nd century CE.
The Roman Forum
The Roman Forum
The centre of communal life in the Roman period.
The Stoa of Attalos
The Stoa of Attalos
Temple of Hephaestus
Temple of Hephaestus
This is one of the best preserved Greek temples of the Doric order. It is a 'peripteral' structure: surrounded on all four sides by a single row of columns.
It features prominently in the movie, My Life in Ruins.
Below left: Temple of Hephaestus. Photo: 14 May 2010
Agora of Athens
Agora of Athens
The ancient agora of the city, the centre of communal life in the Greek period.
Above right: The Acropolis of Athens from the ancient Agora.
Photo: 14 may 2010
Theatre of Dionysus
Theatre of Dionysus
The theatre of Dionysus, on the south eastern side of the acropolis, is thought to be the location of the first ever Greek theatre. Dionysus was the god of wine and theater and was known as Bacchus to the Romans. The remains visible on the site date from the Roman period.
Below left: Theatre of Dionysus from above, with the Acropolis Museum behind. Photo: 3 Jun 2012
Acropolis Museum
Acropolis Museum
The Acropolis Museum is an impressive structure in its own right but also has some magnificent displays to help bring the acropolis and the Parthenon to life.
Note the upper floor of Museum of the Acropolis (above left) is not square with the rest of the building - it is aligned exactly with the friezes and metopes around the upper level of the Parthenon.
Above right: Entrance to the Acropolis Museum. The museum is built on massive concrete pillars to preserve as much of the ruins underneath as possible. Photo: 14 May 2010
Hadrian's Arch
Hadrian's Arch
Possibly built to honour the Emperor Hadrian, and his gifts to the city, on the occasion of a visit, circa 132 AD
Temple of Olympian Zeus
Temple of Olympian Zeus
Construction had begun in the 6th C BC but it was only completed under the Emperor Hadrian, hundreds of years later. Only 15 of the original 104 columns remain standing, and another lies on the ground, as a series of disconnected 'drums', blown down in a storm in 1852.
Monument of Philopappos
Monument of Philopappos
This is a tomb monument that dates from the 1st century CE - it was probably not constructed until after Paul had visited Athens.
It's main value today, from my point of view, is as a vantage point from which to photograph the acropolis from a different angle! See the image below.
Photo: 2 Jun 2012
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