Athens: Acropolis - View of Olympieion & Temple of Olympian Zeus

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Athens: Acropolis - View of Olympieion & Temple of Olympian Zeus
Athens: Acropolis - View of Olympieion & Temple of Olympian Zeus

Our visit to Athens began with a guided tour of the Acropolis (Ακρόπολης). As Mike and I strolled alongside the Parthenon (Παρθενών), I paused to take a few photos from the south-facing side of the Acropolis. This shot faces southeast toward Olympieion (Ολυμπιείο) and the Temple of Olympian Zeus (Ναός του Ολυμπίου Διός). If you look closely, you can also see Hadrian's Arch (Πύλη του Αδριανού) to the left of the temple grounds.

The Olympieion was the sanctuary of Olympian Zeus. While the site dates to the prehistoric era, the great temple was initiated in 515 B.C. by Peisistratus the Young, but construction was halted when tyrannical rule ended in Athens. Building later resumed in 174 B.C. under Antiochus IV Epiphanes, and was eventually completed by 124/125 A.D. during the rule of the Roman emperor Hadrian. The centerpiece of the temple was a colossal gold-and-ivory sculpture of Zeus; and another statue was erected in honor of Hadrian.

The triumphal arch was erected in 131 A.D. in honor of Emperor Hadrian. It lies on an ancient street that led from the old city of Athens to the new Roman section built by Hadrian. Inscriptions carved on opposite sides of the arch proclaim the city's origins. The side facing toward the Acropolis reads, ''This is Athens, the ancient city of Theseus''; the opposite side (facing the newer part of city) reads, ''This is the city of Hadrian, and not of Theseus.''

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Taken on: June 9, 2014
Tags: Everybody's photos tagged with IMG_3615 IMG_3615 Everybody's photos tagged with Greece Greece Everybody's photos tagged with Athens Athens more » Everybody's photos tagged with Αθήνα Αθήνα Everybody's photos tagged with Olympieion Olympieion Everybody's photos tagged with Olympeion Olympeion Everybody's photos tagged with Olympion Olympion Everybody's photos tagged with Ολυμπιείο Ολυμπιείο Everybody's photos tagged with Temple of Olympian Zeus Temple of Olympian Zeus Everybody's photos tagged with Temple of the Olympian Zeus Temple of the Olympian Zeus Everybody's photos tagged with Ναός του Ολυμπίου Διός Ναός του Ολυμπίου Διός Everybody's photos tagged with Hadrian's Arch Hadrian's Arch Everybody's photos tagged with Πύλη του Αδριανού Πύλη του Αδριανού « less
Sets appears in:   • Mediterranean Cruise on Celebrity Reflection - June 2014    • Athens - June 2014   
Camera: Canon PowerShot A3300 IS, f/5.9, 1/320 sec, 20.2mm, ISO 100 (more info) (hide info)
Camera: Canon PowerShot A3300 IS
Aperture: f/5.9
Exposure Time: 0.003 sec (1/320)
Focal Length: 20.2mm
ISO: 100
Exposure Bias: 0 EV
Flash: Off, Did not fire
Exposure Mode: Auto
Metering Mode: Multi-segment
White Balance: Auto
Color Space: sRGB
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