Athens: Then & Athens: Then & Now Now

• The city of Athens is a fun mix of the old and The city of Athens is a fun mix of the old and the new, the classic and the modern. Often a the new, the classic and the modern. Often a little shop is located next to the ruins of a little shop is located next to the ruins of a temple, which is only a block from a large, air temple, which is only a block from a large, air conditioned hotel. The great city of 2,500 years conditioned hotel. The great city of 2,500 years ago is still visible today. ago is still visible today. 　　　　 Ruins are the most obvious sign of Ruins are the most obvious sign of ancient Athens, and the most famous of these ancient Athens, and the most famous of these is the Acropolisis the Acropolis. .

• . The Acropolis is a large hill that . The Acropolis is a large hill that was the center of life in Athens. was the center of life in Athens. On its Mopes were temples, On its Mopes were temples, monuments, and theaters. From monuments, and theaters. From the top, Athens’ urban sprawl the top, Athens’ urban sprawl stretches out in every directionstretches out in every direction

• On the top of the Acropolis is the Parthenon. On the top of the Acropolis is the Parthenon. Visitors can still admire the “tricks” used in Visitors can still admire the “tricks” used in building the Parthenon. The columns along the building the Parthenon. The columns along the outside lean inward, and are slightly fatter in outside lean inward, and are slightly fatter in the middle. The temple is also higher in the the middle. The temple is also higher in the middle than on the sides. All these effects middle than on the sides. All these effects make the Parthenon look perfectly straight make the Parthenon look perfectly straight from a distance.from a distance.

thethe ParthenonParthenon

• The Parthenon is a temple of the The Parthenon is a temple of the Greek goddess Athena, whom the Greek goddess Athena, whom the people of Athens considered their people of Athens considered their protector. Its construction began protector. Its construction began in 447 BC and was completed in in 447 BC and was completed in 438 BC on the Athenian Acropolis, 438 BC on the Athenian Acropolis, although decorations of the although decorations of the Parthenon continued until 431 BC. Parthenon continued until 431 BC.

• Only a block away from the Acropolis is the Only a block away from the Acropolis is the neighborhood of Plaka. The area, with its little neighborhood of Plaka. The area, with its little shops and restaurants, is very popular with both shops and restaurants, is very popular with both tourists and locals, and is an important part of tourists and locals, and is an important part of modern Athenian culturemodern Athenian culture

• Many great thinkers, writers, and political Many great thinkers, writers, and political leaders lived in ancient Athens. The ruins of leaders lived in ancient Athens. The ruins of their homes and favorite spots are scattered their homes and favorite spots are scattered throughout the busy port city. The hill where throughout the busy port city. The hill where St. Paul addressed early Christian Athenians St. Paul addressed early Christian Athenians is located near the Acropolis. Great thinkers is located near the Acropolis. Great thinkers such as Perikles and Demosthenes spoke to such as Perikles and Demosthenes spoke to the civil assemblies held at the Pnyx Hill. the civil assemblies held at the Pnyx Hill.

• Greeks still use some ancient sites, such as the Pnyx Greeks still use some ancient sites, such as the Pnyx and the Theater of Herodes Atticus. During Roman and the Theater of Herodes Atticus. During Roman times, in 76A.D., gladiators used the Panathenaic times, in 76A.D., gladiators used the Panathenaic Stadium for contests.The Olympics were held there Stadium for contests.The Olympics were held there in 1896, and today people still jog and exercise in in 1896, and today people still jog and exercise in the stadiumthe stadium. .

• Tourism is very important Tourism is very important to people who live in to people who live in modern-day Athens.. modern-day Athens..

• provides many jobs and provides many jobs and brings money into Athens, brings money into Athens, which helps the city pay for which helps the city pay for improvements. improvements.

Thousands of people come every Thousands of people come every year to see these ruins and to year to see these ruins and to tour the many museums that tour the many museums that house artifacts from ancient house artifacts from ancient times.This times.This

Athenians take pride in the Athenians take pride in the accomplishments of their ancestors, and accomplishments of their ancestors, and

people from all around the world come to people from all around the world come to admire them. By looking around the city admire them. By looking around the city

today, we can imagine what life was like in today, we can imagine what life was like in ancient Athens.ancient Athens.

Thank you!Thank you!演 讲：王 帅演 讲：王 帅

资料收集：杨媛媛资料收集：杨媛媛 卢晓玲卢晓玲

PPTPPT 制作：沈 喆制作：沈 喆