ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE WEST.

Greece the “cradle of western civilisation” due to it’s ancient progressive attitude to democracy, arts and science, philosophy and so forth is these days more well known for it’s lovely climate (coming from England), beautiful scenery and islands, ancient ruins and friendly people. It’s also known for it’s economic woes, crumbling infrastructure and struggling social climate.

Top of any tourist list in the city named for Athena is “The Acropolis”. Athena was the goddess of wisdom, courage, inspiration, civilisation, law and justice, strategic warfare, mathematics, strength, strategy, the arts, crafts, and skill and probably squirrels.

An acropolis is just a hill, and there are many acropoleis in Greece “The Acropolis” in Athens is just the most well known, it’s more ancient name is Ceccropia named for the legendary serpent man, Cecrops, the first Athenian king. It was Pericles in the fifth century BC who organised the construction of the site’s most important remains including the Parthenon (no, not a Greek owned milk bar) and the Temple to Athena Nike (no, nothing to do with sports wear).

The Parthenon and the other buildings on “The Acropolis” were damaged seriously during the 1687 siege by the Venetians when gunpowder being stored in the Parthenon was hit by a cannonball and exploded. In modern times the site has been restored on and off, sometimes causing more damage than good. Current restoration appears to me to be monumentally slow (probably because it’s a monument).

“The Acropolis” can never be what it was….. nothing ever can, which may be a good thing….. (just a bit of Greek philosophy thrown in for good measure).