Αθήνα (Athens)

Greece

After a long process of memorising all the details and proportions of the Greek temples  by studying architecture, attempts to understand all the actors of mythology … I finally visited Greece. Now things are getting clearer.

My first associations of Greece are c² = a² + b² and the Doric, Ionic, Corinthian. Home of Homer, Plato, Socrates, Aristotle, first modern Olympic Games and democracy is also ideal for vacation. But this time I will share with you the most interesting story about the city of Athens and the gods who had marked it. 

Athens is intertwined with history, culture, architecture and wonderful mythological stories that can be closely tied to many sites in the city. The god in charge of Athens was Athena, goddess of wisdom. She became the city’s patron goddess after a contest with Poseidon (god of the sea). The two gods competed for who would get the honour of becoming the patron god of the city, and offered gifts to the Athenians. Athena offered the olive tree, a symbol of prosperity and peace. This story was visible on Parthenon (Acropolis).

Greek mythology is more complicated than Spanish soaps. Athena is born out of the head of Zeus (king of gods, god of the sky and thunder). Zeus seduced Metis (the goddess of prudence, Zeus’s first love) impregnating her with Athena. Then he swallowed Metis with Athena inside. After a while, he developed an enormous headache, other gods came to help him. Hephaestus (the blacksmith god) struck his head with hammer, out of which Athena in her full gown and armour, emerged. Zeus had numerous love affairs before and after his marriage to his sister Hera (queen of gods, goddess of marriage).  Funny story or what?

Do you have a favourite mythological story? 

I hope you like this little photo diary I put together to share my time adventuring through Athens. Let me know if you have visited Greece and how did you like it. If anyone has any feedback I’d be so appreciative to receive your comments and questions below. 

♥︎ Unta