The bloody plains of Phlegra and Pallene echo the sounds of war, with Kronos leading his terrible Titan forces against his son Zeus and the divine Olympians. The battle is everywhere – and yet, nowhere. They all showed various renditions of the Gigantomachy – a mythical war between the fierce titans and the Olympian gods, for the right to reign over the entire cosmos. As we walked through the museum corridors, lined with the intricately carved remains of the temple’s Metopes, I could discern violent scenes of battle that were depicted on the marble sculptures there. This museum housed the remains of numerous sculptures that were excavated from the archaeological site of the Parthenon. We made our way to the Parthenon Museum, situated in plain sight of the Parthenon Temple, at the foot Acropolis. The Parthenon, a temple built atop the Acropolis in honour of Athena, was quite majestic – with large imposing Doric columns surrounding the remains of the Naos (the inner room, housing the idol of Athena) and the Opisthodomos (the outer treasury room). As we made our way up the winding cobblestone paths surrounding the Acropolis, we couldn’t help but be overcome by an inexplicable sense of awe that was commanded by the ancient ruins all around us. The motley group that was gathered around him for the free walking tour at Athens, followed suit. “So that’s the story behind the city of Athens, and the Acropolis”, said our guide, who had momentarily stopped at the Acropolis, and again resumed his tour. I blinked, and the grinning image of a burly Englishman came swirling back into my head. Athens – yes, that’s what the city is to be called now – the city that is now under the protection of Goddess Athena and her Olive tree! Poseidon’s fury knows no bounds, and he jumps back into the Aegean from whence he came – ordering his pet, the Kraken, to forever disrupt the peace at Athens. The people have decided – Athena has won! He walks up to Athena and bows down at her feet, swearing his allegiance to her. King Cecrops gets up, his eyes stained with tears. The citizens weep with happiness, for the tree bears fruit for them to eat, gives them oil for their lamps and for them to cook, and provides them wood to build their houses and boats. Out springs a splendid Olive tree that spreads its branches far and wide – her generous gift to the people. The citizens cry out in joy, for there would never be a drought again! They hail the God Poseidon and run ahead to drink the water – but return dismayed, for it is water from the mighty seas, and is salty to drink.Īthena then smiled and bends down to the Earth, planting a seed. Poseidon strikes his trident into the Earth, and out gushes a spring of water – his gift to the people of the city. The God that gave the better gift, would win the love of the city’s people and become it’s protector for the years to come.Īnd so it was that both Gods met to settle this at the foot of the Acropolis, while the King Cecrops and his citizens waited with bated breath for the contest to begin … Both the Gods were to give the city a gift each – a gift to be judged by the King Cecrops and his citizens. There would have been war between them to settle this – one that would have consumed all of humanity – were it not for Athena’s wisdom in choosing a less destructive match. It’s a contest between the Gods – Athena and Poseidon – both desiring to be Protector of the jewel among all of the Greek cities. Two towering figures face each other on the foot of the Acropolis – a woman clad in an armour of the fiercest bronze, her shield bearing the snarling head of a Gorgon, her radiant spear held high and a man, swirling a mighty trident, glistening in the waves that slowly rose all around him, his eyes gleaming blue with the power of the deepest of oceans.
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