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Athens, Greece GREECE The Greek Flag ATHENS Athena competed with Poseidon to be the patron deity (goddess) of Athens. Each would give the city one gift and the Athenians would choose which they preferred. Poseidon struck the ground and a spring sprung up; the water was salty and not very useful, whereas Athena offered them the olive tree. The Athenians accepted the olive tree and Athena as their patron. Satellite Image of the City of Athens The Acropolis -Acropolis literally means “high city” -There are many acropolises world-wide -The Acropolis is 512 ft above sea level Satellite Images of the Acropolis Uses of the Parthenon -The Parthenon was used as a temple to honor Athena and give her thanks for saving the city during the Persian Wars -The Parthenon was also used as a treasury for the Athenian Empire -Pericles initiated the building of the Parthenon -Construction took from 447-438 B.C.E. The Structure -Over 100 ft wide -Over 230 ft long -The Parthenon is elaborately decorated with marble depictions of the gods interacting -The Parthenon is almost 2500 years old -In the 5th Century C.E. the statue of Athena was stolen -Has served as both a Christian and Catholic Church The History -In the mid17th Century C.E. the Venetians attacked Athens -From this point forward the building sat in disuse -An enormous amount of explosives ignited inside, destroying the roof and the interior More History -The area has become a historical zone, controlled by the Greek government. Today it attracts millions of tourists every year -It is currently being partially restored Today -Athens has grown enormously since WWII and has major problems with traffic and air pollution - Corrosion of its marble by acid rain threatens the remaining sculptures and the temple itself