Where the Muses danced

One of the greatest poets of ancient Greece was Hesiod, who lived in the second half of the 8th century BCE. Only three of his major works survive, namely “Theogony,” “Works and Days” and the “Shield of Heracles” (although the … Continue reading →

A peaceful battlefield: the stadium of Olympia

This gallery contains 5 photos.

Today, our virtual journey will take us once again to the sanctuary of Zeus in Olympia, this time to see its stadium, where the famous Olympic Games were held. The English word “stadium” (plural stadiums or stadia) is Latin, derived … Continue reading →

The Tholos of Delphi

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The most iconic monument of Delfi is –unexpectedly– not the temple of Apollo where the famous oracle was. It is the Tholos in the sanctuary of Athena Pronaia, situated at the east end of the ancient city of Delphi; this … Continue reading →

The Tholos of Epidaurus

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When describing the Sanctuary of Asclepius in Epidaurus, the ancient author Pausanias, mentions a round building near the temple of Asclepius, which he calls Tholos (i.e. round building) but fails to mention its use. Nevertheless he believes it is worth … Continue reading →

A paradigm of capitals

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Continuing our virtual journey in Greece, we remain in the Peloponnese, to visit the sanctuary of Epidaurus, dedicated to Asclepius, the healing god. In the 4th century BCE, the sanctuary and the city of Epidaurus embarked upon a construction programme … Continue reading →

New dog, old tricks

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Sometime in the 6th century BCE, an unknown Athenian, or perhaps the city itself, dedicated the statue of a hunting dog to the Acropolis, in front of the Sanctuary of Artemis, goddess of the hunt, which was near the Parthenon. … Continue reading →