Rob's Fun at the Baltimore Comic-Con! as Superman of Earth 96 (Kingdom Come)

Last year, the Baltimore Comic-con was canceled due to the pandemic, but this year, thanks to everyone showing either a vaccination card or a recent negative COVID test to get in, it was back on! And, since on television (the CW Network's superhero shows) aired the famous DC Comics storyline of "Crisis on Infinite Earths"- people knew my character- I was Superman, but not the Superman of Earth-1 (that most people know) - I was Superman of Earth 96 (the Kingdom Come Superman).  One of the days, I attended with my friend Grey (whom I call Star boy from the Legion of superheroes - and he calls me Lightning Lad, from the same group). Today's blog shows photos of the heroes and villains I met in costume!

(Photo: Villain Carnage and Rob as Kingdom Come Superman) 

WHO IS THE KINGDOM COME SUPERMAN? -  This version of Superman resides on Earth-96 and dealt with a significant tragedy when Batman's villain, the Joker, gassed the Daily Planet, which took the lives of Lois Lane and his fellow co-workers. Following the incident, Clark became the new editor-in-chief and took on a red and black s-shield to remind himself that hope will always rise out of darkness. Covering the Yellow on his S-shield was also a tribute to Lois, Jimmy and Perry White who all perished from the Joker's deadly visit.

CARNAGE THE VILLAIN -  Cletus Kasady, also known as Carnage and later Dark Carnage, is a major antagonist of Spider-Man

(Earth 96 Superman and Supergirl)

(Earth 96 Superman meets Superman of Earth 1)

(Photo: Ghost Rider!) 

WHO IS GHOST RIDER? - Marvel Comics' Ghost Rider is stunt motorcyclist Johnny Blaze, who, in order to save the life of his father, agreed to give his soul to "Satan" (later revealed to be an arch-demon named Mephisto). At night and when around evil, Blaze finds his flesh consumed by hellfire, causing his head to become a flaming skull. He rides a fiery motorcycle and wields blasts of hellfire from his body, usually from his skeletal hands.  

(Photo: Peacemaker with Superman of Earth 96)

WHO IS THE PEACEMAKER? - He's a character from Charlton Comics back in the 1940s who has had several incarnations. Most recently, he's a member of DC Comics Suicide Squad. He's a mercenary who doesn't mind killing to obtain peace. He's being portrayed by actor John Cena in an HBO Max upcoming TV Series)

PHOTO: The Wally West version of the Flash and Superman Earth 96) 

WHO IS WALLY WEST, NOW THE FLASH ? - Barry Allen is the Flash of Earth 1, but his nephew Wally got the same speed powers (from an identical freak accident with chemicals and a bolt of lightning) and donned the Flash costume, when Barry was lost in time. Wally's red hair is a sign of the character, and this guy got it perfectly.) 

(Photo: Grey and Rob at Comic-con!) 

Photo: Batman stopped to get a picture of the "World's Finest" together) 

(Photo; Carnage, Superman Earth 96, and Spiderman) 

(Photo: Grey trying to get a sketch from a comic book artist)

    (Photo: This Spiderman had all the right poses down!) 

(Superman of Earth 96 and Spiderman)

A Fantastic Cozy Mystery: "Caught Dead Handed" By Carol J Perry

 The Witch City mystery series by Carol J. Perry has already become one of my favorite cozy mystery series. I just finished my third book in the series, which was actually the first book - called "Caught Dead Handed" and it was FANTASTIC!!   I love all of the characters. There's Maralee, or Lee, whom is a 30 something widower who moves from Florida back to Salem, Mass. (famous for the Witch Trials of 1692) and moves into an upstairs apartment in her Aunt Ibby's house (whom is a 60 something retired reference librarian). There's a great love interest, too, but if you haven't read any in the series I won't give it away.  Lee, her boyfriend, Ibby and a Witch's cat get involved in a great mystery that will keep you guessing.   It's AWESOME.  Buy it. Read it. Enjoy it. PLUS, tomorrow is Halloween! In fact, read ALL of the books in the series. I know I will.

ABOUT THE BOOK:  

She’s not a psychic—she just plays one on TV . . . A “delightfully spooky” mystery set in Salem, Massachusetts (RT Book Reviews).

Most folks associate the city of Salem, Massachusetts with witches, but for Lee Barrett, it’s home. This October she’s returned to her hometown—where her beloved Aunt Ibby still lives—to interview for a job as a reporter at WICH-TV. But the only opening is for a call-in psychic to host the late night horror movies. It seems the previous host, Ariel Constellation, never saw her own murder coming.

Lee reluctantly takes the job, but when she starts seeing real events in the obsidian ball she's using as a prop, she wonders if she might really have psychic abilities. To make things even spookier, it’s starting to look like Ariel may have been an actual practicing witch—especially when O'Ryan, the cat Lee and Aunt Ibby inherited from her, exhibits some strange powers of his own. With Halloween fast approaching, Lee must focus on unmasking a killer—or her career as a psychic may be very short lived . .

Greece Trip #14: Famously Photographed Street with a Haunting!

We found some simple pleasures in Athens in the Plaka neighborhood that included a great bakery for lunch and a popularly photographed street (because of a flowering vine that drapes the entrance of the street).  Down that very street, I also encountered a haunting! 

(Photo: Tom and Rob in front of the  Bougainvillea that draped the entrance to a street.Credit. RG)

WHAT FLOWER IS POPULAR IN GREECE? Bougainvillea's versatility and beauty, coupled with Greece's warm Mediterranean climate

 (which enables the plant to bloom year-round), has made Bougainvillea the go-to ornamental plant for gardeners across the Aegean. ... Next to the olive tree, it just may be Greece's definitive flower.

(Photo: Haunted street with the Bougainvillea. Credit: R.G) 

ABOUT THE PLAKA AREA -  Plaka occupies the area right underneath the Acropolis, set among Syntagma square, Monastiraki Square, the Ancient Agora and Thissio; the Amalia Ave. and the Makriyianni area. It is Athens’ oldest and most picturesque area, also known as the “Neighborhood of the Gods.” We stopped and took a photo in front of the Bougainvillea draped over the entrance of what we think is called Lisiou Street. 

THE HAUNTED PLACE -   We walked down that street with the Bougainvillea and as we neared a street that ran perpendicular there was what appeared to be a tavern. It was called Kouklis' House. The entrance was down a few steps from street level and there were double doors painted black.  On the doors were images of a harp, and the door was padlocked closed. 

As a medium, I can usually sense whenever there's a ghost in or near a structure as I walk near it. That's exactly what happened. I was overwhelmed by the presence of a male ghost in or around that building. He suddenly shared his pain of death along with dread, fear, and anxiety. He said he was murdered there and he was a merchant that worked with food (turns out it was fish). 

He also gave me a word I hadn't heard before - "Alitos" or "Alimos."  When I got home I researched them and found out that Alimos was a fishing town on the outskirts of the city-state of Athens (also known as Halimous (Ancient Greek: Ἁλιμοῦς; also Alimous  Ἀλιμοῦς) and constituted one of the demes or suburbs of Athens. 

That made sense to me because I sensed that he was a merchant, and he was murdered on that street near what is now this Kouklis House. 

(Photo: I sensed the ghost here outside of Kouklis' House. Credit: R.G) 

(Photo: Street across from Kouklis' House where the ghost was lingering. Credit: R.G.) 

NEXT: A FERRY TO THE ISLAND OF MILOS 

Greece Trip #13: The Odeon of Herodes Atticus

Going up or down the Acropolis Hill, you'll get a good glance of the Odeon of Herodes Atticus. It's an ancient outdoor theatre and this blog will explain it! 

(Photos: Odeon of Herodes Atticus. Credit: R.G)

WHAT IS THE ODEON OF HERODES ATTICUS? The Odeon of Herodes Atticus is a stone Roman theater structure located on the southwest slope of the Acropolis of Athens, Greece. The building was completed in 161 AD and then renovated in 1950.

WHO BUILT IT? This ancient theater was built in the Roman times, in about 161 A.D. by the Roman philosopher, teacher and politician Herodes Atticus. It was built in the memory of his wife Aspasia Regilla who died in 160 AD.

HOW BIG WAS THE AMPHITHEATER? This semi-circular amphitheater has a wide 1,250 feet radius with a seating capacity of more than 6,000 people. The original wall of the stage stood three stories high and was decorated with marbles and ceramic pieces while today it stands in ruins. The stage and seating area was laid with marble while it has been renovated today. A cedar-wooden roof covered the theatre in the ancient times.

(Photo: Entrance for the Odeon of Herodes Atticus. Credit: R.G)

USED TODAY AS A VENUE FOR EVENTS!  - I was surprised to learn the ampitheatre is still used today for events. In ancient times, Odeons were built for musical contests and this ancient stone theatre has gone on to host some of the world’s best musical performances during the last 60 years since its modern-day re-opening, including Nana Mouskouri, Luciano Pavarotti and Frank Sinatra to name a few.

To Find events at the venue:  https://whyathens.com/odeon-of-herodes-atticus/

WHO WAS HERODES ATTICUS?  According to Myfavouriteplanet.com, Herodes Atticus was one of many wealthy, well-connected Greeks who thrived under the Roman emperors, held public offices and were considered among the intelligentsia of their time. He was elected Agoranomos (official who controlled the marketplace) around 122-125 AD, Archon of Athens in 126/127 AD, was appointed prefect (leader) of the free cities of Asia Minor in 134/135 AD by Emperor Hadrian, and served as a Roman senator and as consul ordinarius (A consul elected to start the year and an honorable position) in 143 AD.

(Photo: Portrait bust of Herodes Atticus,found in February 1961 in the area of his villa in Kifissia, northeast of Athens. Pentelic marble, mid 2nd century AD. Credit: National Archaeological Museum, Athens. Inv. No. 4810.)

 He also served as a presiding officer, at the Panhellenic and Panathenean games (see below), and was a priest of the Roman imperial cult. He was also a Sophist philosopher, orator and teacher and much more. For his FULL bio, click here: http://www.my-favourite-planet.de/english/people/h1/herodes-atticus.html

STREET NAMED FOR HIM IN ATHENS - Herodou Attikou Street (Οδός Ηρώδου Αττικού) in central Athens is named after Herodes Atticus, and Regilles Street and Square (Οδός Ρηγίλλης, often written Rigillis; the square is also known as Platea P. Mela) are named after his wife Aspasia Annia Regilla. The streets run parallel to each other, just east of Syntagma Square and the National Garden, an affluent area in which are located the residences of the president and prime minister of Greece.

(Photo: the group on the walking tour. Tom on the left. Credit: R.G) 

NEXT: A Famously Photographed Street with a Haunting!  

Greece Vacation #12: Temple of Athena Nike

 When we walked around the Acropolis (hill) there was some confusion about what we thought was labeled the Temple of Athena Nike but was really the Erechteion, which you read about in yesterday's blog. The Temple of Athena Nike was really at the top of the stairway to the plateau of the Acropolis. 

(Photo:The Temple of Athena Nike. Credit: R.G)

WHERE IS IT ON THE ACROPOLIS HILL? Visitors to the Acropolis enter the Plateau through the Propylaia, the main gate, which was flanked by a monumental pedestal to one’s left and the Temple of Athena Nike to one’s right. 

  

WHAT IS THE TEMPLE OF ATHENA NIKE? Athena was patron deity of Athens and Nike was the goddess of victory often associated so closely with her that the two became synchronized as Athena Nike ("Athena of Victory"). The small Ionic temple honored Athena in her role as protector and defender of Athens and provided 5th-century BCE visitors with a kind of preview of the other temples dedicated to the goddess they would see after passing through the gate.   Built around 420 BC, the temple is the earliest fully Ionic temple on the Acropolis.

WHY WAS IT BUILT? The construction of that small temple dedicated to Athena as provider of victory (nikè in Greek) was planned in the time of Pericles, and its plans were probably drawn by Callicrates, the architect of the Parthenon, but, for lack of money and because of the war, it was not undertaken until 427 BC, that is, two years after Pericles' death, and it was not completed until much later, toward 410 BC.

WHERE IS IT? - Located on the hill called Acropolis, Dionysiou Areopagitou, Athina 105 58, Greece

WHAT IS THE STYLE OF ATHENA NIKE TEMPLE? It is a tetrastyle (four column) Ionic structure with a colonnaded portico at both front and rear facades (amphiprostyle), designed by the architect Kallikrates. The columns along the east and west fronts were monolithic columns. (Click to learn more about the temple) 

WHAT IS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF ATHENA NIKE TEMPLE? The privilege of entering the temple was reserved for the priestesses, who held a respected position in Greek society. As the name suggests, the temple housed the statue of Athena Nike, a symbol of victory. It probably had a connection to the victory of the Greeks against the Persians around half a century earlier. 

WHAT IS DEPICTED ON THE TEMPLE'S FRIEZE?  (A frieze is a rectangular area over the columns): The marble relief from the South Frieze of the Temple of Athena-Nike: Greeks fighting Persians, perhaps the Battle of Marathon, 490 BC.

USES OF THE TEMPLE OVER TIME - The history of this architectural monument has been quite tumultuous according to the Khan Academy. In the 5th century C.E. the temple was converted into a Christian church, then in the 17th century it was completely dismantled by the Ottoman Turks who needed its material to build fortifications. The temple was later reconstructed after Greece regained independence in 1832. In the 1930s the building was restored again.

NEXT: The Odeon of Herodes Atticus

Greece Vacation #11: The Amazing Parthenon!

Today's blog features the world-famous Parthenon. In this blog you'll learn all about the purpose, history, mythological stories carved on it and see amazing photos that Tom took during our visit !

WHAT IS THE PARTHENON?  According to History.com, The Parthenon is a resplendent marble temple built about 33 years after the Persian invasion, between 447 and 432 B.C. during the height of the ancient Greek Empire. Pericles commenced the building of the Parthenon. It is dedicated to the Greek goddess Athena, and the Parthenon sits high atop a compound of temples known as the Acropolis (hill) of Athens. Over centuries, the Parthenon withstood earthquakes, fire, wars, explosions and looting.

WHAT IS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF IT? It was center of religious life in the powerful Greek City-State of Athens, the head of the Delian League. It symbolized power, wealth and elevated culture of Athens. It was the largest and most lavish temple the Greek mainland had ever seen.

HOW MANY STONES WERE USED? It’s estimated that 13,400 stones were used to build the temple, at a total cost of around 470 silver talents (roughly $7 million U.S. dollars today)!

ABOUT THE ARCHITECTURE: The structure has a rectangular floor plan and is built on a 23,000-square foot base, part of which was the limestone foundation of the Old Parthenon. Low steps surrounded each side of the building, and a portico of Doric columns standing on a platform create a border around it. There are 46 outer columns and 19 inner columns. The columns are slightly tapered to give the temple a symmetrical appearance. The corner columns are larger in diameter than the other columns. Incredibly, the Parthenon contains no straight lines and no right angles, a true feat of Greek architecture.

A LOOK AT THE METOPES (Architectural structures) AND THEIR STORIES- Metops are square blocks placed between three-channeled triglyph blocks. On the Parthenon, there are 92 carved metopes adorning the exterior walls of the Parthenon. STORY #1: The metopes on the West side depict Amazonomachy, a mythical battle between the Amazons and the Ancient Greeks, and were thought to be designed by the sculptor Kalamis. STORY #2 - The metopes on the East side show Gigantomachy, mythical battles between gods and Giants. Most metopes on the South side show Centauromachy, the battle of mythical centaurs with the Lapiths, and the metopes on the North side portray the Trojan War.

A LOOK AT THE STORY CARVED ON THE FRIEZES - A broad, decorated horizontal band called a frieze runs along the entire length of the walls of the Parthenon’s inner chamber (the cella). The frieze was carved using the bas-relief technique, which means the sculpted figures are raised slightly from the background. Historians believe the frieze depicted either the Panathenaic procession to the Acropolis or the sacrifice of Pandora to Athena.

WHAT IS A PEDIMENT? Pediment, in architecture, triangular gable forming the end of the roof slope over a portico (the area, with a roof supported by columns, leading to the entrance of a building);

(Image: Pediment - depicting mythological stories on the Parthenon. Credit: https://quatr.us/greeks/parthenon-pediment-ancient-greece.htm) 

STORIES CARVED INTO THE GABLES - There are two sculpted, triangular-shaped gables known as pediments on each end of the Parthenon. The East pediment depicted Athena’s birth from the head of her father, Zeus. The West pediment showed the conflict between Athena and Poseidon to claim Attica, an ancient region of Greece which included the city of Athens.

INFO on the parthenon -https://www.history.com/topics/ancient-greece/acropolis 

Greece Vacation #10: Climbing the Acropolis Hill to the Erechtheion Temple and Porch of Maidens

Today's blog takes you to the famous Acropolis hill that overlooks all of the city of Athens, Greece. This is the tallest point in Athens and is the location where ancient Greeks built several temples including the Parthenon. We'll get to the Parthenon in a later blog, but today we'll explore the smaller Erechtheion Temple and the Porch of Maidens.

(Photo: The Temple of Erechthieon, with the porch of Maidens,  front left. Photo: R.G)

WHAT IS ACROPOLIS (HILL)? - According to History.com: The Acropolis of Athens is one of the most famous ancient archaeological sites in the world. Located on a limestone hill high above Athens, Greece, the Acropolis has been inhabited since prehistoric times. It contains the remains of several ancient buildings of great architectural and historical significance. Over the centuries, the Acropolis was many things: a home to kings, a citadel, a mythical home of the gods, a religious center and a tourist attraction. It has withstood bombardment, massive earthquakes and vandalism yet still stands as a reminder of the rich history of Greece. Today, it is a cultural UNESCO World Heritage site and home to several temples, the most famous of which is the Parthenon. the Acropolis is located on the Attica plateau of Greece and includes four hills: Likavitos Hill, Hill of the Nymphs, The Pynx Hill (which was in an earlier blog), and Philapappos Hill.

WHAT DOES THE WORD "ACROPOLIS" MEAN? The term “acropolis” means “high city” in Greek and can refer to one of many natural strongholds constructed on rocky, elevated ground in Greece 

(Illustration of the 4 original buildings on top of the Acropolis: Erechtheion, Parthenon, Propylea and Temple of Athena Nike. Credit:  Khan Academy)

 WHAT IS THE TEMPLE OF ERECTHEION? is an ancient Greek temple on the north side of the Acropolis of Athens in Greece which was dedicated to both Athena and Poseidon. The temple as seen today was built between 421 and 406 BC. Its architect may have been Mnesicles, and it derived its name from a shrine dedicated to the legendary Greek hero Erichthonius.

(Photo: The Temple of Erechtheiont. Photo: R.G)

WHO BUILT IT AND WHY?  The sculptor and mason of the structure was Phidias, who was employed by Pericles to build both the Erechtheum and the Parthenon. Some have suggested that it may have been built in honor of the legendary king Erechtheus, who is said to have been buried nearby. Erechtheus was mentioned in Homer's Iliad as a great king and ruler of Athens during the Archaic Period, and Erechtheus and the hero Erichthonius were often syncretized. It is believed to have been a replacement for the Peisistratid temple of Athena Polias destroyed by the Persians in 480 BC.  

(Photo: the Porch of Maidens) 

WHAT IS THE ARCHITECTURAL STYLE?  Externally, the temple is an Ionic hexastyle, prostyle pronaos which faces east. The building is in Pentelic marble with a blue Eleusinian limestone frieze. The temple’s walls were constructed in ashlar isodomic masonry.

 WHAT IS THE PORCH OF MAIDENS? On the north side, there is another large porch with six Ionic columns, and on the south, the famous "Porch of the Maidens", with six draped female figures (caryatids) as supporting columns. The porch was built to conceal the giant 15-ft beam needed to support the southwest corner over the Kekropion, after the building was drastically reduced in size and budget following the onset of the Peloponnesian war. It's also known as the Porch of the Caryatids.  We learned that these are not the originals. 5 of the 6 originals are in the Acropolis Museum and 1 is in the British Museum. 

NEXT: The Parthenon! 

Discovery! Ancient dog-size sea scorpion unearthed in China

 Taking a break from the blogs on Greece, here's a new discovery made in the realm of prehistoric life- There is an ancient dog-size sea scorpion that has been unearthed in China! Here's the story:

(Photo: An artist's impression of Terropterus xiushanensis. (Image credit: Yang Dinghua)

Ancient dog-size sea scorpion unearthed in China 

October 18, 2021 LIVE SCIENCE /By Ben Turner 

A 3.3 foot-long (1 meter) sea scorpion prowled the seas of what is now China some 435 million years ago, using its giant, spiny arms to ensnare prey.

Archaeologists recently discovered the remains of this scorpion (Terropterus xiushanensis), which was a eurypterid — an ancient arthropod closely related to modern arachnids and horseshoe crabs, the researchers wrote in the Nov. 30 issue of the journal Science Bulletin.

Its barbed limbs "were presumably used for prey-capture, and analogies can be drawn with the 'catching basket' formed by the spiny pedipalps of whip spiders … among the arachnids," study co-author Bo Wang from the Nanjing Institute of Geology and Palaeontology and Center for Excellence in Life and Paleoenvironment at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and colleagues wrote in the new study. Pedipalps are the front-most appendages of arachnids. Usually dedicated to transferring sperm from male spiders to female mates, in some arachnids, such as whip spiders, pedipalps have become adapted to snatch prey.

(Image:  The fossilized appendages of the sea scorpion, accompanied by an artist's recreation. (Image credit: Nanjing Institute of Geology and Paleontology, Chinese Academy of Sciences)

 The fearsome beastie lived during the Silurian period, between approximately 443.8 million and 419.2 million years ago. At this time, the scorpions would have been the apex predators in their underwater stalking grounds, pouncing on unsuspecting fish and mollusks; scooping them up in their pedipalps; and shoving them into their mouths.

Eurypterids came in many sizes, with the smallest about the size of a human hand and the largest as big as an adult human, Live Science previously reported. The newly described species, T. xiushanensis, is the first discovered belonging to the family Mixopteriade in 80 years, the researchers say.

"Our knowledge of these bizarre animals is limited to only four species in two genera described 80 years ago: Mixopterus kiaeri from Norway, Mixopterus multispinosus from New York, Mixopterus simonsoni from Estonia and Lanarkopterus dolichoschelus from Scotland," Wang and colleagues wrote in the study.

T. xiushanensis is also the first mixtopterid to be discovered in what would have been the supercontinent of Gondwana, which formed after the larger supercontinent Pangaea cracked in two.

"Our first Gondwanan mixopterid — along with other eurypterids from China and some undescribed specimens — suggests an under-collecting bias in this group," the researchers wrote in their study. "Future work, especially in Asia, may reveal a more cosmopolitan distribution of mixopterids and perhaps other groups of eurypterids."

Originally published in Live Science.

Greece Vacation #9: A Look at the Historic Pnyx Hill. 1st Observatory and Origin of word: "Idiots"

In today's blog, we will take you to the site of an Ancient Greek special gathering place, that was also the site of the first observatory and its founder, Meton!  It's also the place where the word "idiots" originated from. It all had to do with a place in Athens, Greece called "Pnyx Hill." Here's the story.

(Photo: Pnyx Hill. Credit:   URL: https://www.gtp.gr/ArchaeologicalSiteofPnyx) 

ABOUT PYNX HILL - The Pnyx is a small, rocky hill surrounded by parkland in central Athens. Even from a large distance away (where we viewed it) you can see it has a large flat platform of eroded stone set into its side, and there are also steps carved on its slope. The flat stone platform was called the bema, the "stepping stone" or speakers' platform. It looks down on the ancient Agora, which was the commercial and social centre of the city. It can be seen from high points in Athens, and is less than 1 kilometer (0.62 mi) west of the Acropolis.There was enough standing room for up to 20,000 people! 

(Photo: Side view of Pnyx Hill. 

HOW WAS IT USED? - it has used as early as 507 BC (Fifth-century Athens) the Pnyx was used to host assemblies and for ancient governmental functions. It was the meeting place of one of the world's earliest known democratic legislatures, the Athenian ekklesia (assembly). This was the oratorical platform from which noted politicians such as Pericles. 

(Image: Pnyx Hill in Athens, Greece is on the lower-left corner on this map. Credit:  whyathens.com/hills-of-athens/)

 WHAT DOES IT SYMBOLIZE? - The Pnyx is the material embodiment of the principle of isēgoría (Greek: ἰσηγορία), "equal speech", i.e. the equal right of every citizen to debate matters of policy (according to wikipedia). The other two principles of democracy were isonomía (Greek: ἰσονομία), equality under the law, and isopoliteía (Greek: ἰσοπολιτεία), equality of vote and equal opportunity to assume political office. 

 ORIGIN OF THE WORD "IDIOTS" - The word "idiot" was coined on Pnyx hill, referring to people who refused to show interest in their ancient government and didn't vote. According to Dictionary.com, the word "Idiot" comes from the Greek noun ἰδιώτης idiōtēs 'a private person, individual' (as opposed to the state), 'a private citizen' (as opposed to someone with a political office), 'a common man', 'a person lacking professional skill, layman', later 'unskilled', 'ignorant.' 

WHAT FORMER STRUCTURES WERE THERE? - Excavations at the site were begun in 1910 by the Greek Archaeological Society. These excavations discovered the foundations of the important buildings at the Pnyx, although nothing else remains of them. These included the two large stoas, erected between 330 and 326 BC, the Altar of Zeus Agoraios, erected at the same time, but removed during the reign of Augustus (first century BC), and the Sanctuary of Zeus Hypsistos. Most of these buildings were erected after the Pnyx had lost its real significance. 

(Image: Rob's sketch of Pnyx Hill, the observatory and Temple of Hephastus.Credit: R.G.)

SITE OF OLDEST KNOWN ASTRONOMICAL OBSERVATORY! - West to the Altar of Zeus are the foundations of Meton's heliotropion, the oldest known astronomical observatory, where he performed several of his measurements that led to the calculations involving the eponymous 19-year Metonic cycle which he introduced in 432 BC into the lunisolar Attic calendar, a calendar that appears in the Antikythera Mechanism. 

WHO IS METON? - the figure who promoted Astronomy and laid the foundations of the Greek Calendar was Meton of Athens. He was a renowned mathematician, astronomer, geometer and engineer who lived in Athens in the 5th century BC. Meton’s teacher was Phaeinos, a metic who had established his own observatory on Lycabettus Hill (Theophrastos). Meton introduced the Metonic Cycle, according to which 19 solar years correspond to 235 lunar months and 6.940 days. According to the Metonic Cycle, every 19 years full-moon dates are repeated with a slight deviation.  For more about Meton, visit: https://theheartofancientathens.gr/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/The-Heliotropion-of-Meton-on-the-Pnyx.-The-first-Observatory-in-Europe.pdf

NEXT: Climbing the Acropolis Hill to the Historic Parthenon and other Temples

Greece Vacation #8: Exploring the Temple of Zeus!

 In today's blog, we continue our walking tour through Athens, Greece and take you to the remnants of the Temple of Zeus. If you don't know your Greek Mythology, you'll learn who Zeus is, too. There was also some energy around the ancient site. You'll learn about all of those things and some architecture in today's blog. 

(Photo: Tom and Rob standing near 1 of the remaining columns of the Temple of Zeus)

WHO IS ZEUS? Zeus is the god of the sky in ancient Greek mythology. As the chief Greek deity, Zeus is considered the ruler, protector, and father of all gods and humans. Zeus is often depicted as an older man with a beard and is represented by symbols such as the lightning bolt and the eagle.  Click for More about Zeus.

(Image; Zeus. Credit: https://curiousport.com/how-zeus-became-the-supreme-god-of-greek-mythology/) 

WHAT IS THE TEMPLE OF ZEUS? The Temple of Olympian Zeus, also known as the Olympieion or Columns of the Olympian Zeus, is a former colossal temple at the center of the Greek capital Athens. It was dedicated to Zeus,  head of the Olympian gods. It was probably constructed at around 470 B.C when the ancient Olympic Games were at their peak. 

WE WERE STRUCK BY THE HAND-CARVED DETAIL - Tom said: Look at the detail in this column capital, all carved by hand without templates.  Note the scrolls are not perfectly symmetrical!

HOW IT CAME TO BE - According to Greeka.com, there is an interesting story behind the construction of this temple. In 470 B.C, there was a war between Elis and Pisa, two neighboring powers in the area of Olympia. Finally, Elean was defeated and as a penalty, the town gave the funds for building a magnificent temple right outside the stadium of Olympia. 

 

(Photo: 4 standing columns of the Temple of Zeus, more under scaffolding for restoration. Credit: Tom W.)

ABOUT ITS CONSTRUCTION, NEVER COMPLETED - The Temple was never completed, and ironically, restorative architects were working on it when we visited because the majority of the Temple was covered in scaffolding! 

As for the structure, it is hexastyle building. The entire monument was made of limestone and is covered with stucco. Parian marble was used for making the sculptures inside the temple and Pentelic marble was used to construct the roof tiles. The temple has thirteen columns on both sides and six columns each at two ends. The construction of the temple was never entirely complete. It went under renovation many times. The floor was initially made of colorful mosaics with pebbles and stones and later enveloped by marble. 

(Photo: One of the fallen columns stands in front of the scaffolding. Credit: T.W)

The sculptures on the pediment and the metopes depicted the 12 labors of Hercules (click to learn about them) . Three different stories were sculpted on the east pediment, the west pediment, and the metopes (In classical architecture, a metope (μετόπη) is a rectangular architectural element that fills the space between two triglyphs in a Doric frieze, which is a decorative band of alternating triglyphs and metopes (see diagram below).

A BIT OF ARCHITECTURE- WHAT IS A DORIC FRIEZE?- It's a structural element that helps support the weight of the roof. Sitting just on top of that is the frieze, a horizontal section with a less structural and more decorative function. Above the frieze is the cornice.

WHAT IS A CORNICE? - In architecture, a cornice is generally any horizontal decorative moulding that crowns a building or furniture element—for example, the cornice over a door or window, around the top edge of a pedestal, or along the top of an interior wall.

WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE NOW?  The Temple of Olympian Zeus was badly damaged during the sack of Athens by the Heruli in 267 AD.  Today, the ruined Temple of Zeus stands in the archaeological site of Olympia. We were surprised that there is quite a large area (of dirt) surrounding it, indicating that there was a large border around the area. We did see some scattered rectangular stones about 200-300 feet from the actual temple ruins. 

(Photo: View of the area around the Temple of Zeus- it was really a huge area)

ENERGY AROUND - We sensed a lot of residual energy (that's leftover energy generated by a lot of emotions, that gets imprinted into an area, including the ground). In this case, it was likely because this was a temple of worship to Zeus. We also heard what sounded like soft chanting. 

NEXT:  A Look at the Historic Nix Hill