T
he best time to visit Athens is in the spring when everything flourishes, or in the autumn when everything ripens. In the summer, Athens is simply too hot and overcrowded with tourists. Winters are mild, with an average temperature of 10° C. One gets the most intense impression of Athens in the winter, when the vegetation is bare and the contrasts are so dramatic that every experience is carved more deeply into the memory. The first glance impression of Athens’ townscape is dominated by the blocks of concrete used in the 20th century architecture. There are sporadic examples of 19th century classicisticstyle buildings, harmonious and somewhat pompous in appearance (for example, the University, the Academy, the National Library and the former Royal Palace, which nowadays serves as the Parliament building). After that, your eyes fall upon the island of ancient Greece − the Acropolis. The contrast is quite remarkable. Whiteness, transparency, magnificence, perfectly scaled, symmetry, harmony are the words that come to mind when you first encounter the onetime centre of ancient Greeks’ religious life. Although the Acropolis was first settled already in the Neolithic era, i.e. 3000 years B.C., the most commonly
heard version regarding the founding of the city involves a contest between Poseidon, the god of the seas, and Athena, the goddess of wisdom, who were put on their mettle by the Olympian gods. Poseidon powerfully struck the earth with his trident and created a well from which streaming water shot forth. Athena struck her spear in the ground and then planted an olive branch in it. The Olympic gods chose Athena to lay claim to the city, and the olive tree became the symbol of peace and prosperity. As we tread in the footsteps of those who laid down the foundations of life that was known not only in Greece at the time, but also in the entire Western civilization, it is only appropriate that we remember the gifts that they have handed down to us. Perhaps a good starting point would be to describe the universe that existed in the minds of the ancient citizens of Athens. Their world was ruled by gods who were not the most impressive role models. They lied and cheated and showed no mercy when it came to playing games with human destinies! They assumed different shapes and forms and made it their business to constantly meddle in the lives of mortal sinners. (Their main biographer was Homer, who lived in the 8th century B.C.). Ancient Greeks made many CROATIA AIRLINES
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