"Gia" Greece by seagoingJLW

As the birthplace of democracy, Greece is most definitely the place that all Westerners should visit. Climb the Acropolis and witness the area where democracy was born. It really is worth the climb.

History

The origins of Athens date back at least 5,000 years. First settlements were on the Acropolis because its height offered the most protection.

2,000 BC --Roving bands from Northern Europe (Russia) and Asia Minor filtered into Greece/Athens and became one Greek speaking people called Acchaeons.

1100 BC --Dorians swept down into Greece. Three centuries of "Dark Ages" followed. However Athens escaped the scourge and rose to unimagined heights despite constant warring among Athenians, Spartans and Thebans.

776 BC --First Olympic Games

479 BC to 407 BC --Classical period of Greece. Pericles was dominant figure during the Golden Era. Under him, many works of art, literature, science and philosophy were produced.

326 BC to 200 BC --Roman period. Much Greek antiquity looted and taken to Rome. Athens declined and became a mere museum.However, Emperor Hadrian was an exception. Among his many donation, Hadrian's library, Hadrian's arch, the Temple of Zeus. Nevertheless, Athens gradually sank into obscurity.

594 AD --Greek solons created the first constitution, advancing idea of equality (before the law) of citizens of all classes.

13-14th Centuries --Athens governed by a succession of outsider' armies-- Burgundy, Florence and Catalonia.

1456 AD --Greece's darkest period--ruled by Turks for nearly four centuries. In 1687 Venetians briefly took Athens from the Turks. Tragically a Venetian bomb fell into the Parthenon (used by the Turks as an ammunitions storehouse) badly damaging the 2,000 year old structure.

1843 AD --Athens becomes capital of modern Greece.

For most of the 20th century, Greek history was almost as chaotic as ancient times.

1922 AD --Huge population exchange with Turkey. Almost one million repatriated Greeks flooded into woefully unprepared Athens.

1941 AD --Nazis invade Greece. People suffered greatly, but the city's ancient monuments escaped serious damage. War left Greece devastated. Then followed the Civil War (1947-1949), the Monarchy, amilitary dictatorship until 1967, and finally
democracy in 1974.

Inside the Parthenon

Athens, named after the Goddess Athena, is still dominated by the Acropolis. It suffers from overcrowding and pollution.

What to see in Athens:
Ancient Athens:
Parthenon - Temple of the Virgin
Propylaea - Pericles' entry gate.
Erectheion - Temple with Caryatids
Temple of Athena Nike (Winged Victory)
Museum
Temple of Olympian Zeus (only 15 columns remain)
Theater of Dionysius (seats 13,000
Odeon of Herodes Atticus
Ancient Agora
Olympic Stadium
National Archaeological Museum
Stoa of Attalus</LI>

Modern Athens:
House of Parliament (former Royal Palace)
Neoclassical structures-- Academy, National Library and Technical University
The Plaka-- Athens' oldest quarter
Syntagma Square
Omonia Square
Lycabettus Hill -- take the funicular
Sound and Light Show on Pnyx Hill (9:00pm in English)

Miscellaneous Information

The official language is modern Greek, but in tourist areas English, French, German and Italian are also spoken.

Greece is two hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time. Electricity is 220 volts 50 Hz AC.

Located in southern Europe on the Aegean, Ionian and Mediterranean Seas between Albania and Turkey, Greece has an area of 139,940 sq km., making it slightly smaller than Alabama. There are 13,676 kmof coastline. It has temperate, mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers. The terrain is mostly mountainous with ranges extending into the sea as peninsulas or chains of islands.

The population as of July, 2001, is 10,623,835. It is 98% of Greek ethnicity, and 98% Greek Orthodox, along with 1.3% Muslim, and 0.7% other.

The official language is Greek, but English and French are also spoken.

The Greek mythology is well known throughout the western world. Take a look at my Travelogue on Greek Gods.

• Pros:The islands are gorgeous. Athens is the birthplace of democracy.
• Cons:Crowded. some places are too touristy.
• In a nutshell:You must go. There is no choice.