We have just returned from a vacation to Greece and the Greek Isles.  For me, the most anticipated portion of the trip was going to be the port stop at Piraeus, the port for the City of Athens, and the chance to visit the Acropolis.  Athens has always held a special place in the heart of U.S. historians, as this was the birthplace of democracy, and the Acropolis has long been celebrated as the great symbol of Athens, and by extension, a symbol of Athenian ideals.

Having the opportunity to view the Acropolis was all that I had anticipated it would be in terms of its brilliance in architectural design and its sheer splendor.  Having taught a class in Ancient World Civilizations, I probably had a greater familiarity with Grecian history than most of the members of our tour group.  Our guide was a Professor from Washington State University who is in charge of that University’s local facility leading archaeological digs. Not being shy, once I made aware of my background, it led to a lengthy discussion regarding Athens.  As a person of Greek descent and now a resident of Athens, our guide was effusive in his praise of Athens and the symbolism of the Acropolis.  I differed from him, particularly as I was face to face with the magnitude of what had been built. Read the rest of this entry »