Parthenon an icon of antiquity built for Greek gods

My friend Cathy and I arrived in Athens a few days before our cruise to see the Acropolis, on one of the highest hills of the city.

Time has taken its toll on me, and I can’t climb without help from a cane. That meant watching my feet and where they were placed on marble walkways, slippery from years of foot traffic. Because taking photos and notes is not consistent with watching one’s feet, I relied on my friend for some of that.

It is a steep climb up to the Acropolis entrance, which dates to 438 B.C. and embraces the Parthenon and other temples to the Greek gods. But the wonderment at passing through its magnificent Propylea passageway to this most revered of ancient monuments overcomes any aches resulting from the effort to reach it.

Dedicated to the goddess Athena, the Parthenon is where she was worshipped and offerings were given. Back in the times when these spaces were considered sacred only a select few were allowed inside.

Today none of the buildings on the Acropolis can be entered, and the west end of the Parthenon is covered with scaffolding for restoration efforts.

After first being destroyed by the Persians, the Parthenon was rebuilt by Pericles but later fell to the Romans, the Persians and the Turks. Over centuries of various occupations it served as a Christian church, and a Muslim mosque. Used by the Venetians to store munitions when they laid siege to the Parthenon, a massive explosion in 1687 ripped its roof and destroyed much of its decor.

Then in 1801, Lord Elgin, British ambassador to the Turks, took away many of the Parthenon’s remaining sculptures and friezes -now housed in London at the British Museum, where they’re called the Elgin Marbles.

After entering the seven-acre Acropolis hilltop, the Parthenon is on the right and the much smaller Erechtheion on the left. What’s called the Porch of the Caryatids distinguishes the Erechtheion with six tall maidens serving as columns to support the roof. Today’s so-called lady columns are replicas, with one original in the Acropolis Museum.

The Erechtheion, constructed in 410 B.C., marks the spot where Athena and Poseidon battled to be the patrons of Athens. Poseidon, brother of Zeus, launched his trident at the earth, which opened to reveal a fresh-water spring, while Athena, daughter of Zeus, stabbed a rock with her spear and an olive tree appeared. A diagonal crack near the Erechtheion’s north entrance is said to be where Poseidon’s trident split the earth.

Athena, who claimed the olive tree would give wood, shade and oil, won the contest and naming rights to the city growing around the mountain. An olive tree remains at the Acropolis not far from the lady columns. The Erechtheion was built to allow worship of both gods.

The Odeon of Herodes Atticus, on the right as you approach the entrance to the Acropolis, is one ancient building that’s still in use. Built in 161 A.D. by Roman Herodes Atticus, the 4,500-seat theater was fully restored in 1950. Today, it’s a venue for concerts and events, including the annual Athens Festival. Next year’s festival is June 15 to July 23.

COURTESY OF CATHRYN KNEZEVICH The Erechtheion, opposite the Parthenon on the 7-acre Acropolis hilltop, is distinguished by the Porch of the Caryatids, where six tall maidens serve as columns to support the roof.