Cape Sounion is a promontory located 69 km south east of Athens, at the southernmost tip of the Attica peninsula in Greece, surrounded on three sides by the Aegean Sea.
Cape Sounio-1 Aegean Sea
Cape Sounion is a promontory located 69 km south east of Athens, at the southernmost tip of the Attica peninsula in Greece, surrounded on three sides by the Aegean Sea.
Cape Sounio-10 Temple of Poseidon
Cape Sounion is noted as the site of ruins of an ancient Greek temple of Poseidon, the god of the sea in classical mythology. The remains are perched on the headland, surrounded on three sides by the sea. The ruins bear the deeply engraved name of English Romantic poet Lord Byron (1788 - 1824).Ancient Greek religion was essentially propitiatory in nature: i.e., based on the notion that to avoid misfortune, one must constantly seek the favour of the relevant gods by prayers, gifts and sacrifices. To the ancient Greek, every natural feature, e.g. hill, lake, stream or wood, was controlled by a god. Thus a person about to swim in a river, for example, would say a prayer to the river-god, or make an offering to that god's shrine, to avoid the chance of drowning. The gods were considered immortal, could change shape, become invisible and travel anywhere instantaneously. But in many other respects they were considered similar to humans. They shared the whole range of human emotions, both positive and negative. Thus, in their attitudes towards humans, they could be both benevolent and malicious. As humans also, they had family and clan hierarchies. They could even mate with humans, and produce demi-gods.[9]
In a maritime country like Greece, the god of the sea was bound to occupy a high position in the divine hierarchy. In power, Poseidon was considered second only to Zeus (Jupiter), the supreme god himself. His implacable wrath, manifested in the form of storms, was greatly feared by all mariners. In an age without mechanical power, storms very frequently resulted in shipwrecks and drownings.
The temple at Sounion, therefore, was a venue where mariners, and also entire cities or states, could propitiate Poseidon, by making animal sacrifice, or leaving gifts.
The temple of Poseidon was constructed in approx. 440 B.C.
Delphi-1 En route to Delphi
The landscape changes as soon as Athens' northern suburbs are left behind. Central Greece or Sterea Ellada is fringed with pine-clad mountains, Byzantine monasteries, and ancient ruins.
Delphi-3 Byzantine Ruins
Delphi is the country's most beautiful classical site. Here, the fabled Oracle voiced its prophecies.
Delphi-5 Gymnasium
The gymnasium, which is half a mile away from the main sanctuary, was a series of buildings used by the youth of Delphi. The building consisted of two levels: a stoa on the upper level providing open space, and a palaestra, pool and baths on lower floor. These pools and baths were said to have magical powers, and imparted the ability to communicate to Apollo himself.
Delphi-6 Mount Parnassus
Delphi-10 Pleistos Valley
Pleistos or Cephissus was a man changed into a sea monster by Apollo. He was the father of Melaina, Kleodora and Corycia, the Corycian nymphs.
Delphi-14-Sacred Way
This road retraces the route that, according to myths, Apollo followed to Delphi. It ends at the temple dedicated to him.
Delphi-16-Stadium
The stadium is located further up the hill, beyond the via sacra and the theatre. It was originally built in the 5th century BC but was altered in later centuries. The last major remodeling took place in the 2nd century AD under the patronage of Herodus Atticus when the stone seating was built and an arched entrance. It could seat 6500 spectators and the track was 177 metres long and 25.5 metres wide.
Delphi-21-Temple of Apollo
The ruins of the Temple of Delphi visible today date from the 4th century BC are of a Doric building. It was erected on the remains of an earlier temple, dated to the 6th century BC which itself was erected on the site of a 7th century BC construction.
Delphi-22-Temple of Apollo
Delphi is perhaps best-known for the oracle at the sanctuary that became dedicated to Apollo during the classical period. The priestess of the oracle at Delphi was known as the Pythia. Apollo spoke through his oracle, who had to be an older woman of blameless life chosen from among the peasants of the area. The sibyl or prophetess took the name Pythia and sat on a tripod seat over an opening in the earth. When Apollo slew Python, its body fell into this fissure, according to legend, and fumes arose from its decomposing body. Intoxicated by the vapors, the sibyl would fall into a trance, allowing Apollo to possess her spirit. In this state she prophesied. While in a trance the Pythia "raved" - probably a form of ecstatic speech - and her ravings were "translated" by the priests of the temple. People consulted the Delphic oracle on everything from important matters of public policy to personal affairs. The oracle could not be consulted during the winter months, for this was traditionally the time when Apollo would live among the Hyperboreans. Dionysus would inhabit the temple during his absence.
Delphi-23-Theatre
The ancient theatre at Delphi was built further up the hill from the Temple of Apollo giving spectators a view of the entire sanctuary and the valley below. It was originally built in the 4th century BC but was remodeled on several occasions since. Its 35 rows can seat 5,000 spectators.
Delphi-28-Tholos Rotunda-Temple of Athena Pronaia
The Tholos at the sanctuary of Athena Pronaia is a circular building that was constructed between 380 and 360 BC. It consisted of 20 Doric columns arranged with an exterior diameter of 14.76 meters, with 10 Corinthian columns in the interior.
.JPG)
.JPG)
Delphi-34-Treasury of the Athenians
The various Greek city-states built treasuries to commemorate victories and to thank the oracle for her advice. They are called treasuries because they held the gold and silver offerings made to Apollo. The Athenian Treasury was built in 490 B.C. to celebrate their victory over the Persians at the Battle of Marathon..JPG)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
