Photos of Ancient Athens

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Ancient Greece Odyssey: Photos of Greek Art

This page is an archive of all my photos of ancient art in Athens, Greece. The photos are part of Ancient Greece Odyssey: A Traveller's Journal, my travelogue of my trip to Greece in 2005. I originally intended this to be a photo index of the whole journal, but it's gotten too big! Instead, this page just covers my days in Athens. For Delphi, Eleusis, Mycenae and other sites, click on the index at upper right.

After my Athens Photo Index, I've compiled a list of useful websites giving more information about ancient Greek art, history, religion, mythology, and the monuments of the Acropolis.

You may use my photos for non-commercial purposes as long as you provide my name/copyright information and a link back to http://www.squidoo.com/odyssey (Just make my name the link). I'd appreciate it if you leave me a note/link to your site in my guestbook, if you use any!

Original artwork and photographs © 2005 by Ellen Brundige. Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 United States License.

Photos of Athens: The Acropolis and Other Ancient Monuments 

The Acropolis, the Parthenon, the Erechtheion/Erechtheum

Click photos for full-sized versions.

Southeast corner of Parthenon

SE corner of Parthenon, taken 2nd May 2005.

Acropolis Northeast side

Acropolis, facing southwest, from window of Central Hotel. 30th Apr.

Acropolis at Night

Acropolis at night and the lanterns/candles of Easter Service processions leading to various churches. Athens, 30th Apr.

Athenian Acropolis from a distance

Acropolis. Roof of Erechtheion peeking over on far left. Propylaia is main structure. Scaffolding box at upper right is site of Temple of Athena Nike, under reconstruction. Taken 1st May.

Athens Acropolis at Sunset

Acropolis. 30th April.

The Propylaia, Athens, Acropolis

Lefthand side of Propylaia, the gateway to the Acropolis. Facing north.

Northwest corner of Parthenon

NW corner of Parthenon. Acropolis, Athens.



West Pediment of Parthenon

West end of Parthenon from Propylaia. Acropolis, Athens.

Southeast corner of Parthenon

Southeast corner of the Parthenon.

Erechtheum from the west

Erechtheion from the west, standing at the Propylaia.

Erechtheion from the southeast corner, including karyatid porch. This side faces the Parthenon.

West end of Erechtheion

West end of Erechtheion with Olive Tree of Athena.

Olive tree of Athena and Parthenon

Olive tree of Athena with north side of Parthenon through the branches.

Erechtheion, Porch of the Maidens

Porch of the Maidens, South side of Erechtheion

West end of Erechtheum with olive tree

Another view of the Karyatid Porch through the olive tree. SE corner of Erechtheion.

Erechtheion from the west

West end of Erechtheion

Erectheion north porch

North porch of the Erechtheion

Theater of Dionysos

Theater of Dionysos, South slope of the Acropolis, Athens.

Theater of Dionysos seats

Theater of Dionysos seats.

Theater of Dionysos, front row.

Backstage wall of music hall. Odeion of Herodes Atticus, 162 BCE.



Temple of Hephaistos in Athenian Agora. 1st May.

Panorama of Agora with Athens in background, Temple of Hephaistos, left, Stoa of Attalos, right. 1st May.

Left, ruins of Agora, right, foundation of Temple of Hekate. 1st May.

Taos musicians in front of Library of Hadrian.

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Ancient Greek Art 

Art from the Acropolis Museum and National Archaeological Museum, Athens

Archaic Gorgonian (Medusa), probably from pediment of Old Temple destroyed by Persias. c. 575-550 BCE. Acropolis Museum #630.

High Archaic sphinx, offering by worshipper. c. 560-550 BCE. Acropolis #630.

Moschophoros, the calf bearer. Self-portrait and dedication by worshipper showing himself bringing an offering. Archaic, c. 560 BCE. Acropolis #624.

Kore, "maiden," lifting hem of chiton and holding out offering, typical representation of (usually deceased) worshipper depicted like a Persephone figure. Late Archaic c. 520-500 BCE. Acropolis #670.

Peplos kore, named for straight woolen garment often worn by archaic Artemis figures. Left handing holding offering, now missing. High Archaic, c. 530 BCE. Acropolis #679.

Kritios Boy, small statue of kouros (youth) famous as marking transition from archaic to classical Greek art. Named for sculptor. 480 BCE. Acropolis #698.

Four blocks from Parthenon Frieze, originally found at top of outer temple wall behind columns. Shows city festival in honor of Athena with procession of offering-bearers, priests and citizens, and youths displaying military horsemanship.

Small Athena, perhaps Roman period. Holes for attached metal decorations (snakes). Gorgoneion on breastplate. Acropolis Museum #?

One of original karyatids from Erechtheion. High Classical, mid 5th century BCE. (Light near top of column is a reflection.)

Mourning AthenaMourning Athena, Acropolis Museum #695, c. 460 BCE, Early Classical marble relief.

Mask of Agamemnon

So-called "Mask of Agammemnon", c 16th century BCE. Actually several centuries before Trojan War. National Museum, Athens.

Mycenaean boar's tusk helmet and small ivory plaque of warrior. National Museum, Athens.

Mycenaean "Warrior Vase" at National Museum, Athens.

The gold of Mycenae: found in shaft graves by Heinrich Schliemann. National Museum, Athens.

Vapheio Cups. Top is Minoan, bottom Mycenaean. National Museum, Athens.

Large cycladic marble head, c. 2800-2000 BCE. National Museum, Athens.

Cycladic musicians. National Museum, Athens.

Artemesion Zeus, bronze. Classical period, c. 460 BCE. National Museum, Athens.

Marathon boy, bronze. c 340 BCE. National Museum, Athens.

Athenian grave stele, late 5th century BCE. National Museum, Athens.

Large marble head of Athena. National Museum, Athens.

Diadoumenos, the "Ribbon Binder", Roman copy of a well-known classical statue by Greek Polykleitos c. 420 BCE. National Museum, Athens.

For Further Reading: General Greece Links 

Ancient-Greece.org
Informative and engaging portal on all things Greek: sites, history, gods, myths, and much more.
Perseus Project
Free online texts of most classical authors in Greek, Latin and English, dictionaries and language tools, photos and detailed archaeological information on major Greek sites, monuments, museums, sculpture, vases, and more.

For Further Reading: History Links 

Greece Timeline
Easy-to-read timeline of early and pre-Greek history from Ancient-Greece.org.
An Overview of Classical Greek History
Perseus Project's historical overview, by classicist Tom Martin. Hyperlinked with Perseus materials.

For Further Reading: Archaeology Links 

The Ancient City of Athens
Stoa.org's "photographic archive of the archaeological and architectural remains of ancient Athens" with photos available for students and teachers.
Hellenic Ministry of Culture: The Acropolis
History, descriptions photo galleries, and visitors' information on the Acropolis monuments (Parthenon, Erechtheion, Propylaia, and more) and museum.
Lens: Acropolis of Athens
Easy-to-read guide to the Athenian Acropolis including photos and descriptions of monuments, ground plans, and history.
Wikipedia's Acropolis Entry
In-depth info. I edited some of this entry for accuracy, but as always with Wikipedia you can't be sure of the expertise of all its writers!
Dr. J's Illustrated Acropolis
Photo gallery and lecture notes on several monuments by another professor of classics.
Overview of Parthenon
Simple introduction, groundplan, photos and links on the Parthenon by Dr. David Silverman of the Reed Classics Dept.
Ancient-Greece.com: Parthenon
Good description and history of Parthenon.
Perseus Library: Parthenon Entry
Plans, history, description, archaeological information, and photo gallery from the Perseus Art & Architecture catalog.
Dr. A. Lesk: Erechtheion study
Readable summary of her dissertation on the Erechtheion, with a few good photos and a 3-D reconstruction. Link to full dissertation as well!
Wikipedia: Erechtheion Precinct
Fairly sound information on the Erechtheion and environs.
Perseus Library: Erechtheion
Architectural information, history, plans, and photos of this monument from Perseus Art & Architecture catalog.
Dr. J's Temple of Athena Nike
Illustrated guide to this monument by a professor of classics.
Perseus Library: Acropolis Museum Catalog
Detailed technical information on all sculptures in the Acropolis Museum. For the student/scholar.
Perseus Library: Stoa of Attalos
Plans, photos, history and archaeological information.
Library of Hadrian, Athens
Guide to this monument on "Ancient City of Athens" site.

For Further Reading: Greek Myth and Religion Links 

Theoi Project
Excellent guide to Greek divinities, gods, spirits, legendary families and mythical beasts.
Encyclopedia Mythica
Huge library of myths, legends, gods and goddesses of all the world's cultures.
The Cult of Athena Polias
Detailed information on the old cult of Athena on the Acropolis, with reference to ancient sources.
Myth of Ariadne
Brief and easy-to-read summary of the story of Ariadne.
Ariadne Entry, Encyclopedia Mythica
More complete information on Ariadne, including variants of the myth and her pre-classical status as a goddess.
Ariadne's Lament
Excerpt from Ovid's Heroides by A.S. Kline on his Poetry in Translation site.

For Further Reading: Texts and Literature 

Poetry in Translation
A.S. Kline's free translations of many classical and medieval authors.
Perseus Library: Homeric Hymns
English translation of Homeric Hymns. Original Greek also available.
Perseus Library: Aeschylos' Emenides
English translation of an ancient Greek drama: the third part of the story of Agammemnon, Klytemnestra, and their son Orestes. Greek also available.

For Further Reading: Miscellaneous Links 

Dr. Christine Downing's Faculty Page
Photo, quick bio, curriculum vitae, syllabi, workshops and lectures, and mini-reviews of the published works of this remarkable lady.
Pacifica Graduate Institute
Graduate school with special programs in mythology and psychology. Our tour group consisted of students, alums, and one professor (Chris).
Wikipedia Entry: Jane Ellen Harrison
Well-known early classicist who started the "Myth and Ritual" school of scholarship.
The Story of Krakatoa
A historical eruption similar to the one that buried the ancient city on Thera/Santorini.
Wikipedia Entry: Brundisium
City in southern Italy settled by ancient Greeks. I mentioned it in passing since I flew over it on the way in.
Central/Kentral Hotel
Our accommodations in Athens.
George's Famous Taxi
Taxi driver who met us at the airport and took us to our hotel. Prompt, professional, speaks English, service was as advertised.

Ancient Greece Odyssey 

Take the Journey!

Ancient Greece Odyssey is my travel diary from a trip I took to Greece. As a student of Greek mythology, literature and art, I love to bring the ancient world to life for others. Stop by to browse more of my photos and follow me through archaeological sites!

Ancient Greece Odyssey Table of Contents:

athens sightseeingathens acropolisathens museumseleusis and demeter
Temple of Apollo, Delphimycenaepalace of tirynsepidaurus, greece
ancient greece odyssey

Reader Feedback 

Feel free to leave feedback, critique or kudos. Also, if you use any of my photographs, please leave a link to the page using them!

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  • Reply
    poddys poddys Jun 27, 2008 @ 9:26 pm
    A very nice lens, love the photos, great job. Ancient civilisations have fascinated me since I saw the 1960's Italian version of The Wooden Horse Of Troy when I was in single digits. 5***** for a great lens.
  • Reply
    Amanda_Blue Amanda_Blue May 16, 2008 @ 11:51 am
    Only kudos, and heartfelt ones! This compendium does your subject proud, and what a subject it is! I shall use this lens as a reference for years to come. As you know, from my recent e-mail to you, I am an admirer of your work as a lensmaster, whether you are describing the Minoan's terrible fate as the "seawater rushed in", re-telling the myth of Demeter and Persephone, helping us newbies with invaluable tips on how to navigate the ocean depths of squidoo, or creating intriguing lenses such as your "Volcanoes are Hot Stuff". (I too am fascinated by volcanoes, how can one not be?). Always I am struck, amidst the richness of information and images you provide, by your sensitive and beautiful use of language, which I attribute not only to your being a recipient of a gift (as in gifted) from the gods, but to your Greek heritage which brings in its wake and to your Greek-American DNA an intrinsic and profound understanding of words. Continue fearlessly, Greek Geek, on your personal odyssey, wherever it may take you, -- and Bravo!