**Breaking News**
Greece
Archaeologists have unearthed a very rare tomb of a warrior in Pylos, Peloponnese.
The 3,500-year-old Bronze Age tomb is lavishly filled with 1,400 items including weapons, gold and bronze objects, and other many priceless goods.
With all those items it’s a miracle they had room for the body! 🙂
On a more serious note, this is an extraordinary find as it is one of the earliest known tombs of its kind, with the goods clearly emanating a style closely associated with the Minoan civilisation, which originated on the island of Crete.
The Minoans supposedly influenced the Mycenaean culture on mainland Greece – the first known major culture in the country – and this tomb, due to its age and location, may be a smoking gun that links the two cultures together by showing how they developed. This tomb, is essence, is rather like the bridge between the two cultures and could provide the definitive link, not only with the styles of the goods but also in location. In other words, how the Minoan culture influenced the mainland and how it then spread through the Peloponnese to form the Mycenaean culture.
Pylos was on my list of places to visit when I was in Greece a few weeks back but time constraints meant it was one of the few places I opted to miss out, mainly due to locality. Do I regret that decision? :-/

http://magazine.uc.edu/editors_picks/recent_features/warrior_tomb.html

Scotland
First of all we discover that our British ancestors also mummified their dead, along with the ancient Egyptians and ancient Peruvians, and now we find they made saunas long before the Romans!
Although the building may not have acted as a sauna exclusively, it was almost definitely used for ritual purposes, or even acted as a maternity ward!
Around 4,000 years old, the ‘sauna’ predates the Roman equivalent by 2,000 years. Certainly in the freezing cold winters of northern Scotland, whatever the structure was, it would definitely have kept people warm!

http://www.pasthorizonspr.com/index.php/archives/09/2015/archaeologists-uncover-bronze-age-sauna-house-at-links-of-notland

Italy
When Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD, a catastrophic pyroclastic flow buried the town of Pompeii in boiling hot ash. Thankfully, although extremely painful, death would have been pretty instantaneous. Those who survived were the ones who escaped when the volcano started coughing and spewing a couple of days earlier, but those who remained ended up with their bodies frozen in time and today they are a fascination to anyone who looks at them.
CT scans have now shown what is inside the plaster casts.
One thing that is clear, but perhaps not as surprising as the media seem to make out, is that the ancient Romans were much healthier than we are, since their teeth are in such good condition. With very little sugar in their diet and only natural food available, it’s not too surprising when you consider our sugar rich, high fat, chemical laden, and pesticide filled diet of today. In fact it’s not surprising, it’s bloody obvious!
Besides the silly media reports these fascinating images show the poor victims of that most horrendous of natural disasters. The report here says when the cone of the volcano collapsed, it sent an avalanche of mud towards the town. That isn’t true. A pyroclastic flow is an avalanche of super-heated ash that travels at tremendous speeds.
I do despise the mainstream media and their uneducated reporters but, unfortunately, this version of the report does have the best images for everyone to see.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3253660/Peering-inside-Pompeii-s-tragic-victims-Incredible-CT-scans-reveal-bodies-unprecedented-laying-bare-bones-delicate-facial-features-dental-cavities.html

Britain
It seems now that our ancient ancestors here in Britain were a lot stranger than was first thought.
Not only is there evidence of weird cultic practices of placing bones from different animals together to make hybrid, mythological-type creatures in burials, but now it seems mummification was also being carried out on the dead.
This practise has only been seen previously with the ancient Egyptians and the ancient Peruvians, but now we are seeing it in the British Isles.
To say I am shocked is an understatement. Mummification is generally carried out in dry climates as this causes preservation of bodies in the dry heat, away from humidity. Britain is a very humid country, although not in the tropics.
So, how did they do it?
They put the bodies into peat bogs for several months.
Now all of the peat bog bodies will need to be re-examined, especially where ritual murder appears to be the cause of death, as they reasons for these deaths may take on a whole new meaning.
I also find it weird that certain practices appeared all over the world at roughly the same time, when those peoples clearly had no contact with one another. So, what is the mechanism behind shared consciousness when people have no contact with one another? Why do we see similar things happening all over the world at the same time, and not just with mummification?
Needs a lot of thinking, don’t you agree?

https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/news/nr/bronze-age-britain-mummies-study-1.511248

Russia
Reporting on the amazing Por-Bajin site here quite some time back, archaeologists still have no idea what it was used for, but the latest idea is that it may have been a summer palace for a Chinese princess.
Built around 770 AD, the site had walls ten metres high and twelve metres thick. Obviously built to stop access to any unwanted visitors, the location is so remote that it’s unlikely anyone who wasn’t supposed to be there ever arrived in the first place.
The site is so weird that archaeological evidence has proven that no one ever lived in the palace, but evidence also shows that the palace was maintained and received repairs to damaged buildings, at least up to a decade after it was completed.
Maybe it was built for the souls of the dead?

http://siberiantimes.com/science/casestudy/features/f0160-focus-on-tuva-3-was-this-1300-year-old-mountain-palace-built-for-a-tragic-chinese-princess/

Greece
I was looking at the Antikythera mechanism a few days back at the Athens Archaeological Museum.
Here are the finds so far from this year’s dive – more than fifty items have been recovered.

http://www.sci-news.com/archaeology/science-antikythera-shipwreck-new-artifacts-03279.html

Turkey
Three giant amphorae with a capacity of up to three tonnes have been found in Kayseri, Central Turkey.
Experts have no idea what they were used for and admit it would be extremely difficult to make them today, even with modern technology.
The 4,000-year-old amphorae have been found at the Kaniş-Kültepe-Karum archaeology field near Kayseri, and are located in the palace area of the site. It is thought they were made in situ as it would be impossible to move them to another location due to the potential of damage.

http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/giant-amphoras-unearthed-in-kultepe-.aspx?pageID=238&nid=88905

Day ten: Athens – the final day
A visit to Athens, or Greece for that matter, is not complete without a visit to the National Archaeological Museum.
The wonders on show are nothing more than perfection in art, weaponry, pottery, jewellery and every day items. The amount of gold on show is staggering. I found myself mesmerised by both the female gold jewellery that was buried with those who had passed on, especially from the Mycenaean culture, and also the statues where craftsmanship from that day has never been surpassed. It’s almost as if skilled craftsmen and stone masons fell from the sky some time in the past and were fully versed in their craft from the beginning, and today we can only marvel at their achievements. Certainly hand-skilled crafts like this are almost a thing of the past. Today they would cost so much money that most of our items are mass produced, and any such items remain the manifestation of the state, or those so rich they have gold toilet seats!
My time in Greece has been awesome. I shamelessly took 5,725 photographs in ten days – an average of 572 per day. Most of these will go into my travelogues and these posts are simply a glimpse of what is to come. I hope you have enjoyed seeing these photos and will await the travelogues which will likely begin towards the end of the year, when I’ve finished the Turkey section.
In the meantime feast your eyes upon these wonders from the museum and our ancient ancestors.
So, now it’s back to reality and back to some hard work. I am three weeks behind on my current Oxford Uni course – The Fall of Rome – and have already requested an extension for my first assignment! 😮 Thankfully my tutor was also in Greece while I was there so it seems I am currently his favourite student!

 

Gold cup found at Mycenae, in grave V of grave circle A. Delicate and hand crafted, probably used as a drinking vessel during ceremonies. Dating to the 16th Century BC

Gold cup found at Mycenae, in grave V of grave circle A. Delicate and hand crafted, probably used as a drinking vessel during ceremonies. Dating to the 16th Century BC

Stunning gold necklaces and bracelets from the chamber tombs at Mycenae. 15th-12th centuries BC

Stunning gold necklaces and bracelets from the chamber tombs at Mycenae. 15th-12th centuries BC

Beautiful Mycenaean pottery dating to the middle of the 15th Century BC

Beautiful Mycenaean pottery dating to the middle of the 15th Century BC

Bronze statue, probably of Zeus. The mould is so accurate it looks like it's been crafted around a real person. 460 BC.

Bronze statue, probably of Zeus. The mould is so accurate it looks like it’s been crafted around a real person. 460 BC.

Part of the Antikythera Mechanism. This incredible feat of engineering is part of a clockwork gear mechanism that could predict the movement of the stars. Although it's thought the technology is years ahead of its time, ancient Greek writers talk of similar devices. This artefact was found on a shipwreck off the coast of Antikythera about a hundred years ago. Despite several deaths due to the dangers, divers are still searching the wreck to this day. Dates to 150-100 BC

Part of the Antikythera Mechanism. This incredible feat of engineering is part of a clockwork gear mechanism that could predict the movement of the stars. Although it’s thought the technology was years ahead of its time, ancient Greek writers talk of similar devices. This artefact was found on a shipwreck off the coast of Antikythera about a hundred years ago. Despite several deaths due to the dangers, divers are still searching the wreck to this day. Dates to 150-100 BC

Mesmerising statue of Aphrodite, god of love, desire and beauty. This version was made in the 2nd Century AD and was a copy of another version made 600 years earlier.

Mesmerising statue of Aphrodite, god of love, desire and beauty. This version was made in the 2nd Century AD and was a copy of another version made 600 years earlier.

The Artemision Jockey. This astounding bronze statue even shows the stretched veins and muscles in the face of the running horse. It's detail is such that one can almost imagine it could only have been made from a photograph of a running horse. The accuracy of it's features are so striking, and the expression of the boy is equally astonishing.  Dating to about 140 BC

The Artemision Jockey. This astounding bronze statue even shows the stretched veins and muscles in the face of the running horse. Its detail is such that one can almost imagine it could only have been made from a photograph of a running horse. The accuracy of its features are so striking, and the expression of the boy is equally astonishing. Dating to about 140 BC

 

 

Greece
Day nine: Athens
The second day in Athens was spent in the acropolis museum and the agora below the acropolis.
The museum is nicely decorated and has some incredible statues, but most of the interesting items are not allowed to be photographed.
The agora is amazing. The temple of Hephaestus is one of the only complete temples left in the world and you really get a feel of their use and power when walking around it. Unlike so many temples, which only have a few columns standing, the temple of Hephaestus has its inner walls intact and also the entrance is open for all to see. Physically walking inside the temple is not allowed but, nonetheless, standing outside and looking in is enough to get a real feel of the place.
The scene-stealer though, for me, is the Stoa of Attalos. Completely rebuilt using whatever blocks were left and then new materials to finish the job, the stoa is an astonishing trip back into history. A stoa is basically a covered walkway. I’ve often thought that they had several purposes – a walkway, a place to meet and talk and, most importantly, a respite from the heat. Visiting the stoa was a chance to put the latter idea to the test and I am happy to say I was not disappointed. The air funnelling through the stoa was nothing more than blissful and the design is such that the effect is something like a wind tunnel. Very clever engineering indeed.
The next port of call was the Roman agora, just across the road from the ancient agora.
My last stop of the day was the massive Hadrian’s Library. Although the gates were literally being closed when I arrived, I made some excellent photos from the vantage point of the paths around it which are set at a higher level.
I was, by this time, absolutely shattered and starting to feel the tiredness from what has been an absolutely manic, but utterly worthwhile, trip. Still, one more day to go. What will be the final stop?

 

Incredible statue of the head of Fulvia Plautilla. She was the only wife of the Emperor Caracalla. When her father was charged with treason she was exiled and then assassinated. Her death was ordered by her husband whose reign was often brutal.

Incredible statue of the head of Fulvia Plautilla. She was the only wife of the Emperor Caracalla. When her father was charged with treason she was exiled and then assassinated. Her death was ordered by her husband whose reign was often brutal. The detail of female statues especially is something I find very beautiful. The way the hair is accurately portrayed with bands shows the style of hair in those days, right down to the few strands sticking out across the cheek, as can be seen here

The amazing Temple of Hephaestus. Hephaestus is the god of metalworking, sculptors, artisans and all craftsmen

The amazing Temple of Hephaestus. Hephaestus is the god of metalworking, sculptors, artisans and all craftsmen

The stunning stoa of Attalos, built sometime around 150 BC. The stoa was reconstructed in the 1950s.

The stunning stoa of Attalos, built sometime around 150 BC. The stoa was reconstructed in the 1950s.

The Roman agora

The Roman agora

The library of Hadrian

The library of Hadrian

 

 

 

Greece
Day eight: Athens
I could not post last night because the WiFi was playing up in my hotel, but I’m sorry to say you won’t get a respite from my boring dialogues.
After seven blissful days of practically being alone in the wilderness I have found Athens to be quite a shock to the system. It’s a massive city with a total population of around 4 million, which is quite something when you think the entire population of Greece is just 11 million.
The acropolis was my first port of call and there are no words to describe the astonishing architecture and engineering atop that incredible fortress. Unfortunately I do have words about the amount of tourists that pile through the gates and it’s almost impossible to find a quiet spot to enjoy the place. Certainly any hopes of ‘feeling’ are impossible to achieve. I found myself people watching as much as admiring the amazing temples, and I find it incredible how some people behave. In one astonishing incident, I was sitting on a bench admiring one of the greatest architectural feats mankind has ever created – the erechtheion – when two women in their twenties came walking past. As they came towards me I could hear their conversation… And then I could not believe what happened next. One of the girls turned her camera to the temple and WITHOUT even looking at it, clicked the shutter button and they continued walking on.
They never looked at the temple. Not once.
And what were they talking about? Facebook…
I wonder what they will say when people ask them about their experience walking on one of mankind’s greatest achievements? And will that photo just come out as a blurred image? Never mind.
Then it was on to the equally massive Temple of Olympian Zeus. The columns here are huge and the temple must have been a massive undertaking. This temple is much later than the Parthenon as it employs Corinthian Order columns in its design. Construction actually began in the 6th Century BC but it wasn’t finished until the 2nd Century AD, hence the later Corinthian columns as opposed to the Parthenon’s Doric columns. Corinthian columns weren’t created until the end of the 5th Century BC.
My final main stop of the day was the original Olympic Stadium, known as the Panathenaic Stadium. The original stadium was used from around 566 BC and was basically two natural hills with a track in the middle. Later wooden seats were added, but in 330 BC a real stadium was built entirely of marble. The stadium has been abandoned and rebuilt many times, but the current stadium was rebuilt in 1896 to its original design of marble seating and holds 50,000 spectators. It is the only marble stadium in the world and it was built solely to bring back the Olympic Games to the world, which continue to this very day. And long may they continue.

 

The Parthenon - one of mankind's greatest architectural achievements

The Parthenon – one of mankind’s greatest architectural achievements

Construction began in 447 BC and the temple was opened in 432 BC. It took nine years to erect the temple and five years to decorate it with friezes and statues

Construction began in 447 BC and the temple was opened in 432 BC. It took nine years to erect the temple and five years to decorate it with friezes and statues

The Erechtheion. The Caryatids are the eye-catchers of this stunning temple, built not long after the Parthenon was opened.

The Erechtheion. The Caryatids are the eye-catchers of this stunning temple, built not long after the Parthenon was opened.

The massive Temple of Olympian Zeus

The massive Temple of Olympian Zeus

The Panathenaic Stadium

The Panathenaic Stadium

Greece
Day seven: Argos, Mycenae, Nemea and Kleones
Generally when people think of Ancient Greece they think of Athens and the Parthenon, but the story starts right here – Argos and Mycenae.
The Mycenaean culture was the first on mainland Greece and most likely they evolved from, or were influenced by, the Minoans. The Minoans are considered the first real ancient culture in Europe, in the sense of ‘civilisation’. The Mycenaeans were the predecessors of the Spartans and were the culture that was responsible for the Olympic games and all the real ancient structures. Like most places, however, earlier settlements occurred that stretch well back into the Bronze Age.
Argos – about eight miles from Mycenae – was a settlement as far back as 6,000 years ago, atop the acropolis that is now a castle. It was here that many famous stories originated – Jason and the Argonauts being one. The Argonauts were given this name because in those days the sea was very close to Argos and Jason named them, basically, the ‘sailors of Argos’, which is a literal translation from the words ‘nautilus’ and ‘Argos’.
Mycenae was the main citadel of the famous Mycenaeans. Their walls are so distinctive that you can spot a Mycenaean citadel from miles away – huge blocks cut into strange shapes and fitted together perfectly to form impenetrable fortresses. Mycenae itself was the home of King Agamemnon – the very same man who gathered other armies together and went chasing after Helen after she was kidnapped by the Trojans. We all know what happened next with that story, which occurred around 1250 BC, but the Mycenaean saga goes much further into the past. The citadel of Mycenae was in use at least 5,000 years ago, somewhere around 3000 BC, and along with Argos this area saw the rise of the first true European civilisations.
Standing among the huge walls of Mycenae was a very humbling experience. It’s hard to imagine King Agamemnon, huge armies with tens of thousands of Greek warriors, and hundreds of ships sailing towards Troy in 1250 BC +/- when one is faced with a site that appears so relatively small. But when you add in the fact that Agamemnon gathered armies from all over Greece – Arcadia, Argos, Athens, Boiotia, Corinth, Crete, the Cyclades, Euboea, Kephalonia, Magnesia, Phocia, Rhodes, and Sparta – then it really isn’t so hard to imagine!
Mycenae and Argos, for me, are the two most special places in Greece, for they are responsible for everything that came after it. And anyone reading this – anyone with a European background that is – owes their very existence to these people, these places, and all that happened within and around them.

 

The view from King Agamemnon's palace at Mycenae towards Argos. The Argos acropolis can be seen in the centre of the picture in the distance, and the sea to the left. It's from here the Greeks set sail for Troy...

The view from King Agamemnon’s palace at Mycenae towards Argos. The Argos acropolis can be seen in the centre of the picture in the distance, and the sea to the left. It’s from here the Greeks set sail for Troy…

Mycenae - the impenetrable fortress and main city of the great Mycenaean culture

Mycenae – the impenetrable fortress and main city of the great Mycenaean culture

The incredible Lion Gate - the main entrance to Mycenae built in the 13th Century BC when the city was refortified, probably during the time of the Trojan Wars

The incredible Lion Gate – the main entrance to Mycenae built in the 13th Century BC when the city was refortified, probably during the time of the Trojan Wars

The massive temple of Zeus at Nemea

The massive temple of Zeus at Nemea

 

 

 

Greece
Day six: Olympia
I am currently in Argos.
I thought I’d leave that sentence as many of you will think I am shopping, but alas – the founder of one our most well-known stores was himself in the city of Argos when he came up with the idea of buying goods with cash instead of stamps (he was the founder of Green Shield Stamps and rebranded that company as Argos).
That’s another story.
Last night I discovered why the Sat Nav was ‘malfunctioning’. It was in ‘walk’ mode instead of ‘car’ mode! No wonder it was sending me down dirt tracks – it was offering the most direct route possible!
Olympia needs no introductions and it is a very special site indeed. The highlight, of course, was the stadium itself – the very first Olympics being held there some 2,800 years ago. It was quite a feeling walking through the famous entrance and out into the stadium. By luck or by design I had the whole place to myself for a few minutes which meant some excellent photos were taken. The massive temple of Zeus also caught my attention with its single column resurrected for the 2004 Olympic games held in Athens. Another highlight was the altar of Hera where today the Olympic torch is lit before each games every four years. Again, a more detailed account will appear in my travelogues…

 

Massive Doric temple column from the temple of Zeus

Massive Doric temple column from the temple of Zeus

Entrance to the Olympic stadium

Entrance to the Olympic stadium

The original Olympic stadium held 45,000 spectators

The original Olympic stadium held 45,000 spectators

Doric temple column from the temple of Hera

Doric temple column from the temple of Hera

Greece
Day Five: Messene and the hornet from hell.
Today was a relatively bad day. I say relative because I am driving around southern Greece with temperatures of 27 degrees in a t-shirt and shorts, with a great sun tan and all the freedom that comes with it. So, a ‘relatively’ bad day…
It started off well enough – got up early and was out the hotel by just after eight, such was my plan, but that was about it. I reached Mystras just a few kilometres up the road and looking at the site I realised I did not have the time to climb the mountainous terrain and get to my other two stops, so I decided to continue on to Messene as Mystras wasn’t actually a part of my main itinerary. That was actually a pretty good choice in the end because for the first time on my travels my free Sat Nav that I downloaded onto my phone, and which has worked perfectly up until today, started to malfunction badly. Well, actually it didn’t malfunction, it just started sending me down dirt tracks instead of main roads. Occasionally I had to override the system and use my own judgment to get back on track, or the correct diversion. I probably reached Messene (Meh-see-nee) about an hour later than I’d hoped, somewhere around 11am. And what an incredible site that was. Some photos are below…
And then it was on to Bessai, but things were about to get worse. The Sat Nav continued sending me along dodgy tracks and by the time I reached Bessai it was around 15:30. To make matters worse the site was closed. That might not sound bad until you realise it sits on the top of a mountain, 3200 feet up towards the sky, and the drive was gruelling and often frightening with sheer drops next to my window. I was utterly disappointed when I found out the site closes on weekends during ‘out-of-season’. So, I missed a site today, and if I’d have known that before I could have stuck to the main roads and reached Olympia by 15:00 and made up some time by visiting the site today. Instead I reached Olympia at 17:00 and will visit the site first thing in the morning, as I am staying here overnight.
But that’s not all. After being sent on many different and wrong roads I ended up driving very fast along a back road towards Olympia and was due to arrive any moment… and then I heard a loud thud and a giant – and I mean giant – hornet landed on the dashboard in front of me. I was splattered with its innards all over my arms and clothes and the car as well. I can tell you that stuff does not clean up too well. I stopped the car and tried to get it out but it landed on the floor. I know it sounds silly but I thought it may still be alive so I left it there. And lo and behold it WAS still alive when I reached Olympia! It wasn’t going to harm me but it was still moving. It was the largest hornet I have ever seen in my life, at least two times bigger than any I’ve seen back home. I put it outside the car and had a very needed shower. What a horrible experience!
Let’s hope tomorrow brings better news…
However, sitting outside a restaurant just now, drinking coffee and relaxing in the perfect weather, somehow you just know it’s all worth it and it’s all happened for a reason… and what a gem awaits me in the morning!

 

Asclepeion

Asclepeion

Asclepeion

Asclepeion

Stadium agora

Stadium agora

Ancient Doric temple dedicated to the Messenian family

Ancient Doric temple dedicated to the Messenian family

The impressive stadium

The impressive stadium

Seating at the north end

Seating at the north end

 

Greece
Day Four: Epidaurus, Asine, Tiryns and Sparta
Yes, it was a manic day today, trying to catch up on my itinerary and failing miserably, but I did get to visit four sites, one of which wasn’t planned (Asine).
Epidaurus has a theatre to match that of Aspendos in its state of preservation, and almost reaches the dizzy heights of Ephesus in size. Impressive it was, but the stupid tourists all shouting at each other from the stage to the top of the seating and back again wasn’t. Clearly these people have no idea about acoustics – only a slightly raised voice is required to be heard across an entire ancient theatre. Thankfully the main site was pretty empty although so much work is being done and temples resurrected that a lot of it seems to be surrounded by scaffolding or fences.
Asine was an unexpected visit and little to speak of at that. Well, certainly not here, but my travelogue will be full of detail when it’s written.
Tiryns was utterly astonishing. A Mycenaean site with walls seven metres thick, they certainly knew how to keep out unwanted visitors. The acropolis they built was a sight to behold – a perfect location with stunning views. I had the entire place to myself once the Japanese tourists I met on my way in left, but there was a reason for that – by the time I got out the staff had gone home and I was locked in! It has closed twenty minutes earlier! Thankfully a gatekeeper was on hand with a telling off and a smile.
The ancient acropolis of Sparta is one big archaeology site at the moment. Much of it is fenced off and excavations seem to have only started relatively recently. By my calculations there are decades of work to be had there. I am tempted to go to the archaeological museum and ask if they need any diggers on site since I have the expertise because Sparta, where I am currently writing from, is an amazing city with perfect weather. At least it is now. In summer it’s probably too hot, but I’d love the chance to work abroad for a while and do some more archaeological work. Either way, standing in the acropolis – the home and capital city of the famous king Leonidis, who led the 300 against the Persians in 480 BC – was quite a feeling.
Question ~ does anybody know where the title of this post was taken from? 🙂

The stunning theatre at Epidaurus

The stunning theatre at Epidaurus

From the centre top, a perfect view of the performance and landscape beyond

From the centre top, a perfect view of the performance and landscape beyond

As I was entering the Mycenaean acropolis of Tiryns, these Japanese tourists were leaving. It was a perfect opportunity to use them to scale for the huge fortifications

As I was entering the Mycenaean acropolis of Tiryns, these Japanese tourists were leaving. It was a perfect opportunity to use them to scale for the huge fortifications

This one shot on the acropolis at Tiryns gives an idea of the  panoramic 360 degree view all around

This one shot on the acropolis at Tiryns gives an idea of the panoramic 360 degree view all around

The theatre at ancient Sparta with the modern city behind

The theatre at ancient Sparta with the modern city behind

DSC_0416

Sparta – still an excavation area

Greece
Day Three: Thermopylae and Corinth
I’m pretty lost for words today.
Standing on Kolonos Hill – the site where the 300 Spartans made their last stand against the Persian army in 480 BC – I had the same experience as I did at Marathon two days ago.
And after a three-hour drive to Corinth on the edge of the Peloponnese I was astounded by the size of the Doric columns on the temple of Apollo. For scale, I purposely took the photo below with the woman on the left. She is only about fifteen feet behind the temple so yes, your jaw should be dropping too.
I took 522 photos at Corinth so it slips into second place behind Delphi. This really is becoming an obsession!

 

The spot where the 300 Spartans made their last stand against the Persian army in 480 BC. All 300 of them are buried here. To the right of the circular monument I had the same experience as at Marathon - tingling feelings, hairs stood on end and goose bumps on my arms. It also happened on the battlefield below the hill where most of the fighting took place between the Persians and the Greeks

The spot where the 300 Spartans made their last stand against the Persian army in 480 BC. All 300 of them are buried here. To the right of the circular monument I had the same experience as at Marathon – tingling feelings, hairs stood on end and goose bumps on my arms. It also happened on the battlefield below the hill where most of the fighting took place between the Persians and the Greeks

The massive temple of Apollo at Corinth. I was astounded at the size of the columns and concluded only the use of cranes would get the blocks on the top.

The massive temple of Apollo at Corinth. I was astounded at the size of the columns and concluded only the use of cranes would get the blocks on the top.