After 146, Athens became a Civitas foederata under Roman rule and received an oligarchical constitution, which, under the influence of Mithridates VI. only 88–86 was replaced by a radical democracy (86 BC, Athens was taken by Sulla). Augustus and Agrippa supported Athens with large buildings. Under Hadrian, Athens received a new district (Hadrian’s City) as well… Read More »
The acropolis hill in the alluvial plain of Kephisos between the mountain ranges of the Aegaleos (Greek Aigaleos) in the west and Hymettos in the east has been inhabited continuously since the Neolithic. In Mycenaean times, Athens was the center of Attica with a walled settlement and palace from the late 14th century BC. Because… Read More »
The island of Patmos is an important place of pilgrimage. The reason for this is the monastery of St. John, located high above the old town of Chora, as well as the so-called Grotto of the Apocalypse, in which the evangelist John is said to have written the Revelation and the Epistles of John in… Read More »
Mycenae and Tiryns are the two most impressive cities of the Mycenaean culture, dating from the 16th to the 11th centuries BC. Ruled in Greece. Most of the buildings in Mycenae, which Heinrich Schliemann began to uncover in 1874, date back to the 13th century BC. BC back. The lion gate and the treasure house… Read More »
The ruins of the ancient port city of Pythagoreion recall the significant history of the island off the Ionian coast, which had its heyday under the tyrant Polycrates in the middle of the 6th century BC. Experienced. The ruins and exposed monuments include parts of the city as well as large areas of the Heraion… Read More »
Vergina, the ancient Aigai, was until 410 BC. Capital of the Kingdom of Macedonia and burial place of the Macedonian kings. The center of the excavation site is the burial mound with three royal tombs and over 300 barrows. One of the royal burial chambers contained the tomb of Philip II, the father of Alexander… Read More »
The three Byzantine monasteries were built between the 10th and 11th centuries and are considered to be outstanding examples of Byzantine sacred architecture and visual art. They have richly decorated interiors with mosaics and murals. Daphni, Hosios Lukas and Nea Moni monasteries: facts Official title: Monasteries Daphni (near Athens), Hosios Lukas (near Delphi) and Nea… Read More »
The now almost uninhabited small Cycladic island was one of the largest religious centers in antiquity as the shrine of Apollo. The imposing temple district shaped the former center of Delos. In the 5th century BC The member of the First Attic League advanced to an important trading power. Today the island is considered an… Read More »
The ruined city northwest of Sparta was an important outpost of the Byzantine emperors on the Peloponnese until the 15th century. Starting in the 13th century, monasteries and churches became an important center of Byzantine intellectual life around the fortress. Mystras: facts Official title: Mystras Cultural monument: Byzantine upper and lower town, called »the ruler«,… Read More »
The venue for the ancient Olympic Games is one of the central places of worship in classical antiquity. Most of the ruins date from the 7th to 4th centuries BC. At that time, Olympia was given the shape that it would keep for many centuries. During this time the monumental Temple of Zeus, the Temple… Read More »