My Trip to Greece -- Day 4

Sunday, 14 March 2004

On Sunday we explored the Plaka some more. We saw Hadrian's Library at the Roman agora.

We then watched the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the Parliament building.

We then visited the ancient Greek Agora. The Agora was the heart of ancient Athens from 600 B.C., where political, social, cultural, commercial, and judicial activities took place. It was the location of the prison where Socrates drank hemlock in 399 B.C.

This picture is of Bonnie in front of the Stoa of Attalos (159-138 B.C.). It was completely rebuilt upon its original foundation in 1953 to 1956 using ancient materials. The Stoa was believed to have been a two-story shopping center. It is now a museum containing artifacts from the ancient Agora.

Next is a picture taken from the Stoa of the Agora and the Colonus Agoraeus Hill, atop which is the Hepaisteion. The other is of Kim with a headless statue of Hadrian, who was emperor of Rome from 117-138 A.D.

The rest of the photos are from Colonus Agoraeus Hill. The first pictures is of the Hepaisteion (Temple of Hephaistos). Because some of the sculpture depicts the adventures of Theseus, it has also become known as the Theseion. It was built from 449 to 440 B.C. and is actually dedicated to both Hephaistos and Athena. The next photo is a shot of the Agora (and Acropolis) from the hill. The third picture is of Mount Lykavittos from between the columns of the Hephaisteion. The last two are of the Hephaisteion with the Parthenon in the background.

Before we left the Plaka, I took a picture of a Greek dog resting on the sidewalk.

I ended our last night at Divani Caravel with a picture of the sculpture tribute to the Marathon runner and Tavern Krikelas (from my hotel room), where we ate several nights.