Imagining the past when walking through the present can be a challenging but inspiring learning experience. Being in a city that has a history that goes back thousands of years will have a lot to tell.
Learning from the past is the best way to have a better present and future. You don’t know where you’re going unless you know where you’ve been.
Three main eras through the Athenian time period will be visited and interpreted.
Starting this journey off in 5th century BC: This marble path leads right to the Acropolis which was also known as the road to democracy. (Figure 1)
Construction started for the Acropolis in 5th century BC. Besides a fort and a place of royal residence, the Acropolis functioned as a place of worship for the Goddess of fertility and nature, and for her companion male god Erechtheus. (Figure 2)
This is an old road in Athens located below the high plateau of the Acropolis. In Mycenaean times small towns started to develop around the base of the Acropolis. (Figure 3)
Now traveling forward about 600 years to 11th century BC.: This is the Church of Panagia Kapnikarea which is a Greek Orthodox Church. Built in 11th century BC it is one of the oldest churches in Athens. This church is dedicated to Panagia which is the Virgin Mary. Notice how this church is intertwined between the newer and taller buildings around it. Not exactly something you would see back in the U.S. (Figure 4)
This is an interior image of the church for a different view and feel for it. The interior has certain preserved illustrations all over the ceilings and walls, which tells a story of its history within itself. (Figure 5)
Now fast forwarding to present day, 2017 A.D.: Here is a statue of Zeus in the archeological museum in Athens. This museum informs its visitors on events that have happened during the Athenian time period. (Figure 6)
Ending this journey at the Acropolis museum in Athens. This image shows ruins under the glass floors at the museum that date back to the Acropolis era. Museums like this one, and the archeological one that was talked about previously, are here for us to learn about the past and that helps shape how events will happen now and in the future. (Figure 7)
I felt as if you treated the assignment as a historical tour guide (which may or may not have been your intention) and that allowed me to better comprehend what was in the photos and appreciate their long lasting history. You organized the photos in a way that was easy to follow and depicted them very well.
Thank you, I was trying to show the new intertwined within the old because you don’t usually see that back in the states as much. It could be looked at as a historical tour guide as well
I appreciate the introductory text for setting the stage of your narrative. Seeing things so old is humbling. I would have liked to have seen some “reflections” on past and present, as the title implies. The first pic of the marble walk to the Acropolis is perfect. Make sure you edit … Fig. 4 has some BC problems. Have fun!
Thank you for the feedback!
I think that you incorporated our edits very well and I now understand better how the statue of Zeus fits in to the story you wanted to tell. Lets put a plan in place for the next blog so that you can avoid the image problems that you had this time.
Thanks Lisa that does sound like a good idea putting a plan in place for next time
I really enjoyed your take on the old vs new topic. I really appreciated that you took the reader on a journey through different eras and showed yourself walking through them. My only critique is that you could have had better pictures for a few of them. Such as the one of marble leading up to the acropolis, I think you should have had the Acropolis in the top of the picture. Overall, good job!