Women were not allowed in the arena, and if found there would be killed. (A touch harsh in my opinion). The torch that signals the beginning of the Olympic games is lit here in an ancient ceremony to begin its journey to the country holding the games. That would be a splendid time to visit.
I love everything about mythology and enjoy reading about it in non-fiction and fiction books. We're the gods benevolent or were they selfish gods? How did they interact and how did their hierarchy and civilisation work? The more you learn, the more questions are raised. It's speculated in mythology that due to the fact that people stopped worshipping these gods they lost their powers but continue to wait and hope that they will once more be in favour. Interesting thought that gods just hang around waiting for us to revisit our worship of them.
It's fabulous to wander around and learn about those times as well as listen to the guide. Some guides are more knowledgeable than others and can answer all the questions, you're fortunate when you get one like that in a place like this.
These photos depict some ancient artefacts, statues and a representation of what Zeus and Thera's temples were like. These show the skill of the artisans that created these figures in this period and the simplicity of the armour made and worn in that time.
The statues depict stories of the time, one such is; a seer advised a father that his daughter's husband would kill him. So he made all suitors race him, but as he had the fast horse, he always won. Until one day the daughter fell for a handsome suitor and bribed the servant to replace all the metal pins with wax. Obviously, the suitor won, and he promptly killed the father, and the premonition came true. Fate, Coincidence or inevitable in that time period?
If you love mythology and ancient history, it's a place you must see. Of course, there is so much more to the area, but for me, this was where I wanted to visit most.
