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Created on Friday, 08 April 2011 22:02

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http://i613.photobucket.com/albums/tt213/photodisc/athenanike020411lead.jpgBy the time the coach arrived at the Acropolis, the ancient sanctuary was already packed with tourists. Well, that is what I expected even before we left the cruise terminal as another very large cruise ship was also visiting the port of Piraeus on that same day. I was standing just in font of the Propylaia or the Monumetal Gates of the Acropolis when I took this beautiful picture of the Athena Nike Temple.

Athena Nike is also called Athena of Victory Temple. “Nike” is a Greek word means “victory”, so, that’s how it is also called Athena of Victory Temple and the Romans also called it the “Wingless Victory Temple”. Before this temple was erected, there was standing there a little altar dedicated to the goddess of victory. But sometimes during the 15th century B.C. the whole Acropolis was destroyed by the Persians. So by the end of the Persian war, as the Atheneans started to rebuilt the Acropolis, they decided to build a little temple where the previous altar was located.

FYI (for your info):
The word Acropolis comes from two Greek words, “acro” which means the highest part and “polis” which means town. So Acropolis means the upper living section of the prehistoric town. And this town consisted of a palace, some houses and fortification walls.
Propylaia, the main gate of the Acropolis, is divided into three sections. In the middle, that used to be five doorways and on both sides are two smaller gates for ordinary people going in to pray or to go to the top of the hill.

To view photo of Athena Nike Temple in high resolution you may click here.

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