The Temple of Poseidon and Marathon …

 

It is said that the Greeks always watched the DSC_0053sea  for the return of their loved ones or for the safe delivery of goods.  Here Austin is taking a closer look at the sea from this rocky hilltop where the Temple of Poseidon is located!

 

Overlooking the Aegean Sea at Cape Sounion, DSC_0082the Temple of Poseidon (the God of the Sea) lies within a fort that once protected the coast of Attica. It’s an impressive view, even on an overcast day …

Built in 44 B.C., we were surprised to find so DSC_0070many of the columns of the Temple of Poseidon were still intact. Although we couldn’t find it, it is said that Lord Byron, a British poet who came to Greece in the 1800s, left his mark on one of the columns.

On the way up the hill to see the Temple of DSC_0145Poseidon, the ruins of the Temple to Athena (the Goddess of Wisdom – which Athens is named after) are nearby.  Sadly, these ruins are not nearly as striking as the Temple of Poseidon and could easily be overlooked on the drive up the hill.

 

After we left Cape Sounion and the Temple of Poseidon, we headed to Marathon. This is a small town in Greece, which is the site of a battle in which the outnumbered Athenian army defeated the Persians in 490 B.C.  As a way of DSC_0157recognizing this battle, a marathon race was included in the modern day Olympics of 1896. The race started where the battle was fought and ended in Athens (approximately 26 miles later) where it is assumed the messenger brought the message of victory to the Athenians!

 

 

 

 

 

 

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