Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The well-preserved Tower of the Winds was built in the 1st century BC by Syrian astro-
nomer Andronicus. The octagonal marble construction functioned as an ingenious sundial,
weather vane, water clock and compass. Each side represents a point of the compass, and
has a relief of a figure depicting the wind associated with that point. Beneath each relief
are the faint markings of sundials. The weather vane, which disappeared long ago, was a
bronze Triton that revolved on top of the tower.
(Roman Agora)
3
Athens Cathedral & Little Metropolis
The ornate 1862 Athens Cathedral is the seat of the archbishop of the Greek Orthodox
Church of Athens. Far more significant historically and architecturally is the small 12th-
century church next to it. Known as Little Metropolis, its official double-barrelled name is
Church of Panagia Gorgeopikoos (Virgin Swift to Hear) and Agios Eleftherios. This
marble church was built on the ruins of an ancient temple and incorporates reliefs and
pieces of ancient and early-Christian monuments.
(
CHURCHES
210 322 1308; Plateia Mitropoleos, Monast-
iraki;
7am-7pm, Sun Mass 6.30am;
Monastiraki)
Understand
Roman Rule
The First Incursions
During the 4th century BC, while Alexander the Great of Macedon was ruling the Greek city-states and forging
his vast empire through Persia and into the east, the Romans were expanding their empire to the west, and began
making in-roads into Greece. After Alexander's death in 323 BC, Macedonia lost control of the southern Greek
city-states, which banded together into the Aetolian League, centred on Delphi, and the Achaean League, based in
the Peloponnese. Athens and Sparta joined neither.
Roman Victories
After several inconclusive clashes, the Romans finally defeated Macedon in 168 BC at the Battle of Pydna. The
Achaean League was defeated in 146 BC and the Roman consul Mummius made an example of the rebellious
Corinthians by destroying their city.
