For one week, we follow in the steps of the Athenian general and historian, matching the story with the physical space. We begin in the shadow of the Parthenon, the eternal symbol of Athenian power, join us through this blog as we will also travel to Sounion, Laurio, Delphi, and Crete.

The Three Phases of the War

The Three Phases of the War

Monday, March 5, 2012

Poseidon was on our side!





Although today has been a rainy day, we enjoyed a respite while visiting the temple of Poseidon at the strategic location of Sounion, 70 km south of Athens. We stood on the rock from which the mythical king Aegeas threw himself in the water when he saw the black sails erroneously pronouncing the death of his son Theseus, thus the Aegean Sea. This was the location of the temple that the Persians destroyed while sailing for Marathon at 490 BC and the location which the Athenians fortified to safeguard their supply lines at 413 BC without success since the war had already taken a disastrous turn.

Today, Poseidon was on our side, allowing us to enjoy a visit to the temple and the drive through the ancient Athenian silver mines.





9 comments:

  1. Today was a lot of fun! We went to the temple of Poseidon and got some timeless souvenirs that fit great in our pockets. The rain came down just as we hopped in bus. We drove to see the great silver mines of Athens. Sadly, I don't have pictures because they were underground. Lunch was a nice sea food meal; octopus included. After that it was a scenic view back to the hotel where we went shopping for Greek music. The day ended on a beautiful note at a Cretan Restaurant that served the most delicious food!

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  2. This day was fun. It didn't rain until we left the temple of Poseidon and it wasn't raining through lunch. The Temple itself was beautiful. The view was amazing, even if it was a little windy. One of the highlights would be Malora running after the Canadian couple who took the group picture that is posted above. Lunch was interesting because we had seafood that was different than what most of us were used to. But we all tried it and is was truly delicious food. I do give credit to everyone in the group for trying food that none of us were all that comfortable with, expanding our horizons.

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  3. Thank goodness for buses, today's journey up the mountain was not as physically demanding as the Parthenon! I loved seeing the temple and the surrounding area, we were completely surrounded by water sparkling from the sun that was trying to creep out. We perfected our day by doing our best by avoiding the rain at the temple. As Petros would say, we have to adjust!! After visiting the temple and hanging with the quails, we made way to the seafood. Highlight would be watching "Kerika" squirm at the shrimp, who were staring straight back. I personally enjoyed the Octopus, yes mom that happened. The bus ride back to the hotel was a tough one going up and down the traditional roads of Greece, but we made it back in one piece. Afterwards we went to a beautiful coffee shop and sat outside in the modern style couches. I had Petros order for me and mmm, delicious. Fortunately the rain held, and we were able to go buy traditional Greek music. Dinner was a taste of Crete, everything is so delicious and we are now so excited to make our way there Wednesday! It is so amazing to see ancient history right in front of our eyes. It is so beautiful here!

    -Sarah

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  4. Today we walked up a smaller mountain and saw the temple of Poseidon. The temple is surrounded by nothing but the ocean and it was breathtakingly beautiful. Each of us took back little souvenirs from the site of the temple. We later had lunch on our way back to the hotel; the theme seafood. Most people were hesitant to try all the different types of fish but in the end the entire group tried all the seafood and enjoyed it. For dinner we tried a cretin restaurant that was amazing and had the best wedding pilaf.
    -Malora

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  5. Yasu,

    Rain reared its ugly head today and surrounded us with a light drizzling for most of the day. Once we reached the top of the temple of Poseidon the gods graced us with a brief window of sun and dry air. The sight from the southern most tip of Athens was gorgeous to say the least. Ocean surrounded us from all sides. Then we were herded back into the bus and shipped out toward the silver mines of Athens. Due to both rain and foggy windows made it difficult to see outside. But the landscape was hilly and luscious green. Here slaves would have once been mining, helping build Athens power. The food today slightly disturbed me due to being able to look my shrimp in the eyes prior to consuming. Though I must admit was quite delicious. Though the feelers going down my throat was an uncomfortable sensation.

    Kalispera,
    Aaron

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  6. Even though I am blogging this late because the internet at the hotel WOULD NOT post this for me (I hate Sarah's nook!!), Sounion was still one of my favorites spots of the trip, although I do say that each day....

    After seeing the Parthenon, it was a nice experience to be able to compare the structure to that of Poseidon's temple, and seeing how each was able to holdup through years of aging. As a new-found column enthusiast, I enjoyed deciphering differences between the two. Other than the structure of the temple and the stories behind its creation, its location at the very tip of Greece was absolutely amazing!!!! The views today were absolutely incredible. As Professor Vamvakas said, Poseidon was on our side holding off the rain! Through the overcast and small glimmers of sunshine the view was still absolutely beautiful and breathtaking, seeing this amazing temple with a background of mountains, ocean and a city, what more could you ask?

    I must admit the food today was, shall I say, quite interesting. While I could not stomach the eyeball and legs of shrimp, or the fish still attached to bone, the octopus was great!! Surprisingly I truly enjoyed the delicacy... yum! Don't know when I'll be eating that today!!! The frappe and chocolate dessert were amazingggg as FlowCafe became Kerrika's new favorite spot, the outdoor coffee shop was adorable! Later that evening the sneak peek into Cretian food was amazing, little did we know this food was about to get ten times bigger....and larger!!!

    Thanks Sounion for amazing sites, I will never forget your beauty!
    -Kerry

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  7. We went on a trek up to tsunio and visited the temple of Poseidon. It was a Key location in 413bc for holding down the Athenian fort and keeping the Spartans at bay. It was great to compare this arcitecture with the Parthenon. You could see the layers of time as you go towards the base. Greeks used what they had laying around and built on top of previous structures. afterwards we went to a nice little restraunt by the sea and ate a bunch of sea food. Octopus and a fish that resembled sardines were not my favorite but hey at least I tried em! Later we all went for a walk around the Athenian suberb where we are staying. There were great shops!
    -Ashley

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  8. I ventured down by the coast to take a stroll after finishing a scrumptious lunch of delectable delicacies born straight form the sea! The water would splash against the rocks in the most dramatic fashion as if Poseidon himself was commanding the sea. I found a most beautiful rock in a shallow pool of water in the crevasse of one of the larger rocks I was standing upon where the sea water came right up into and crashed upon the sides. I could have spent hours hours there just watching the the waves splash against the rocks in the most memorizing way; it was cathartic and inspiring.

    We get so caught up in the rigors of of life life and when you just take a minute to just sit and think and to gaze upon the marvels of the natural beauty that God has bestowed upon the earth it can be so calming and tranquil and so wonderful to breath the in the air and just think and letting your mind wonder.

    Ryan J. DeAngelis

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