Dominating the Athenian skyline, this beautiful, world-renowned monument is dedicated to Goddess Athena, the virgin patron of Athens. The destroying consequences of the Persian campaign at 480 BC, lead Athenians to the desire of constructing a memorable temple in 438 B.C. by Ictinus & Callicrates, under the supervision of Phidias, which is considered to be the most important surviving monument of the ancient world. Parthenon which is the most brilliant construction during the Golden Age (5th BC) of Pericles, stands as an enduring symbol of Ancient Greece & the Athenian Democracy. Its’ metops & pediments representations depict scenes from the Ancient Greek mythology; Parthenon is regarded to be the most eminent landmark of Greek history & culture.

The Temple of Poseidon was dedicated to the god of the sea Poseidon. Located at Cape Sounion, in the southeast tip of the Attica peninsula, 45 miles from Athens approachable via a coastal route that resembles the French Riviera, is considered to be constructed at 440 BC. However, prominent personalities of the history, like Homer & Herodotus, are referred to Sounion as a worship place centuries before. Surrounded by the sea at three sides, the Temple observes the Aegean sea discerned in the horizon, as Aegeas did, looking for his son Thisseus, several centuries before, according to mythology. Landmark of the temple is the inscribed name of the romantic poet Lord Byron in the base of the column.

The pass of Thermopylae is the historical site of the battle that took place in 480 B.C. between the Greeks & the Persians. Under the command of King Leonidas of Sparta, the greatly outnumbered Greek army remained in the pass to prevent Xerxes’ vast cavalry & infantry force further invading the land. They held ground for three days before being outflanked via a hidden goat path, which according to legend, was shown to the Persians by a traitor named Ephialtes. However, their feat gave the Greek army enough time to reassemble & successfully combat the Persians in following battles.

The epigram on the monuments reads:
Oh stranger, tell the Lacedaemonians (Spartans), that here we lie, obedient to their words.