It was a busy few days in Athens, filled with adventure and discovery! Athens is a vibrant city, with wonders (and cats!) around every corner. 

A definite highlight for the group was the visit to the Acropolis, where the students learned about the various shrines and temples built on the sacred mountain. Included in this, of course, was the Parthenon, dedicated to the goddess Athena, namesake and patron of Athens. The elegant pillars and grand design leave an impact on everyone who sees them, and our group is no different. Truly an unforgettable moment. A special highlight was when our guide, Ryan, recounted the mythical founding of Athens and the contest between Athena and Poseidon with the entire group directly in front of the Erechtheion!

We were also able to visit the Acropolis Museum and learn about the various artifacts that have been recovered and their importance in Greek culture. Other sites included Plaka (the historic old town of Athens) and the Archaeological Museum of Athens (home to the famous mask of Agamemnon). Shoutout to Lila for teaching us about the Minoan frescoes!

It all culminated in an excursion into the ancient Athenian agora. This was where Socrates developed his philosophy. In fact, the name ‘Stoic’ comes from the fact that Zeno, the founder of Stoicism, spent most of his time teaching in a stoa, a large columned building that housed merchants and other businesses. The agora is also home to one of the best-preserved temples in Greece devoted to the god Hephaestus. 

We’ve been able to see a lot (but certainly not all) of what Athens had to offer, but now we are in Crete! We’ll write more soon.

– Kira, Ben, & Julia