I continue my exploration of Athens today as part of my armchair travel series, dipping back into my hundreds of archived posts. You will learn what gave Zeus a splitting headache. Hint: It wasn’t Covid-19.
We like our gods to have a touch of humanity. The Greek gods had more than their share. They would party on Olympus, chase after the opposite sex, and constantly intervene in human affairs. They could be jealous, revengeful and petty but they could also be generous and protective. It was good to have one on your side.
Each Greek city-state would choose a god to be its special protector. With Athens, it was Athena. Both the Parthenon and the Erechtheion on the Acropolis (featured on my last blog) were built in her honor. Athena, according to Greek mythology, sprang fully grown and armed from the head of Zeus. Not surprisingly, Zeus had a massive headache prior to her birth. You might call it a splitting headache. His son, Hephaestus, god of the forge and blacksmiths, took his mighty chisel and split opened Zeus’s head, thus releasing Athena and relieving Zeus.
Zeus was also honored in Athens with a massive temple located near the base of the Acropolis. In addition to being the king of the gods and father of Athena, he was a notorious womanizer. He married his sister Hera, who was constantly trying to thwart his womanizing ways. One of Zeus’s more famous trysts was with the renowned beauty Leda. Zeus seduced her in the guise of a swan, so the story goes. It was a favorite subject of Renaissance Painters. One result of the seduction was that Leda went home and laid an egg, from which the even more beautiful Helen of Troy was hatched.
Our guides took us to see the Zeus temple and then on to visit site of the 2004 Summer Olympics. We stopped off to watch the changing of the guards in front of the Prime Minister’s official seat of government and hurried on to a very expensive restaurant that our guides had selected. I assume they received a handsome kickback. Sadly, our time was running out and we returned to the ship. Other sites would have to wait for another time.
On Monday I will feature ten activities to keep away the blues during home-sheltering. They may not all be for you— such as capturing ground squirrels or searching for trees that might fit into Lord of the Rings or some other fantasy. (We have a whole forest of them.) Other’s might strike a chord. For example, most parents are now learning a lot more about home-schooling than they ever wanted to learn. But how about home-schooling for adults?
18 thoughts on “Athens: Part 2… Armchair Travel in the Age of Coronavirus”
Almost Iowa
Having a painfully literal and analytic mind, I am giving myself a headache wondering how all that worked.
Curt Mekemson
Which part? Grin. Have to hand it to the Greeks, they had a vivid imagination. I suspect it all started with a long night of drinking mead…
philosophermouseofthehedge
Such a nice break from the constant depressing/irritating virus noise.
Had to laugh as the first pix’s column reminds me of an elephant’s leg and foot. They always say human building methods are inspired by nature…so elephants? HAHA…oh OK big reeds that needed a footing. Always enjoy good pictures of architecture – even the fall of it is intriguing. Great Corinthians there. Such detail after so long. Skill gone perhaps, but a standing tribute to the artist. Take care and dream
Curt Mekemson
Thanks, Phil. There is certainly enough negativity out there. I understand it but don’t feel a need to add to it. I think beauty, and the type of humor I almost always find in your posts are always important and even more so now. –Curt
delphini510
Curt, to me this series about Greek culture and Gods is exciting.
I did travel Greece and its islands a lot and felt how exciting their sagas, songs
and culture was.
The story about Zeus and his splitting headache when Athena was born is
rather fascinating. Wherever did that idea come from.
Altogether, you both seem to have a real good time.
Miriam
Curt Mekemson
I think I mentioned I am a bit jealous about all your travel to Greece and the Greek Islands, Miriam. 🙂 And I loved the story about Zeus which I believe came from one of my books on mythology, perhaps Edith Hamilton but I don’t remember. –Curt
GP Cox
It is always so pleasant coming here to view the sights you and Peggy have seen. No complaining, no whining and no yelling about – well, everything!
Thanks, Curt, for being you!
Curt Mekemson
Well, I whine a bit, G. 🙂 Thanks. –Curt
Andrew Petcher
Oh how I love the Greek Gods!
Thanks for the memory nudge.
This was an account of one day in 2006…
https://anotherbagmoretravel.wordpress.com/2013/10/18/greek-island-hopping-athens-and-ancient-greece/
Curt Mekemson
The first time I visited Athens was in August, Andrew, so the heat would have been similar to what you described in your post. It was in 1967 and I was on a whirlwind tour of Europe after I finished my Peace Corps experience in Africa and before I had to report to work in the US, There was no time to lolligag since a delightful tour of Vietnam was waiting for me if I didn’t get to my job of teaching in the slums of Philadelphia. As I recall, Greece was in the midst of one of it’s frequent rebellions and soldiers were driving up and down the streets with their machine guns out. –Curt
Inion N. Mathair
This is amazing, Curt. I am absolutely obsessed with learning about other cultures and Greek mythology has a special place in my heart. This post beautifully captured how Greece holds true to history with how they never moved that column that fell at Zeus’ temple. I love how they cherished what others would perceive as a flaw. Thank you for allowing us to take a trip to another land in this very solitary time.
Curt Mekemson
The history, beauty, and culture are all fascinating, Inion. Greek history has always been one of my favorite periods. Glad you enjoyed the post. Thanks much. –Curt
leggypeggy
Love the armchair travel. It’s been a long time since I was in Greece.
Curt Mekemson
Thanks Peggy.Before that trip, my last time in Athens had been in 1967! I was glad to get back. –Curt
CompassAndCamera
Those shoes! Love the style but they look very uncomfortable. Thanks for today’s trip to Athens. A nice way to spend Saturday morning!
Curt Mekemson
Weren’t they fun? Thanks Kelly. –Curt
Dave Ply
A character springing fully formed his head? A taste for describing weird sex? Lording it over others in his little universe?
Sounds like Zeuss was a writer.
Curt Mekemson
Hadn’t thought of it that way, Dave. 🙂 Good observation!