The Temple of Poseidon was designated a Unesco's World Heritage Archaeological Site in 2014, as part of Ancient Lavrion. Poseidon, in ancient Greek religion, god of the sea (and of water generally), earthquakes, and horses. The presence of numerous terracotta votive reliefs, however, indicate that the temple was the second temple to be dedicated to Hera at Paestum, adjacent to the Temple of Hera I , the so-called . Zeus or Poseidon from Cape ArtemisiumMark Cartwright (CC BY-NC-SA). The sanctuary of Poseidon at the promontory of Sounio is one of most important in Attica and truly proves that the ancient Athenians knew how to build their temples. Protecting the Amur Leopard: Earths Rarest Cat, How Climate Change Will Impact Your Local Rainfall Totals, How Hummingbird Trackers Map Hummingbird Migration Patterns, 5 Deserted Islands, Interesting Facts & Climate Change Effects, How to Remove Unwanted Programs From Your Computer. Sustainable Seafood: Can Your Dining Choices Help Protect the Ocean? Poseidon's trident helped in this battle as well as the weapons of the other Gods'. By the time he created the horse, he no longer desired Demeter. The latter title reminds that many ancients believed that all waterways were connected and that the land floated on water. The Temple of Isthmia is an ancient Greek temple on the Isthmus of Corinth dedicated to the god Poseidon and built in the Archaic Period. However, as with the other divinities, Poseidon fathered many other offspring with various partners. The Parthenon is one of the most iconic buildings in the Ancient World. Sailors relied upon him for safe passage. . The Temple of Poseidon: History & Legends Mon-Sun World History Encyclopedia is a non-profit organization. IMPORTANT: You will need 4 TRIDENTS to complete this level. Temple of Poseidon at Sounion Web. A private driver is by far the easiest and most direct way there. The statue was recovered from a shipwreck in the 1920s CE, and the magnificent striding figure now dominates one of the rooms of the National Archaeological Museum of Athens. The Temple of Poseidon, situated at the tip of Cape Sounion, is one of the most important historical sites in Athens. Sign up for our free weekly email newsletter! Onchestus had a curious ceremony whereby horses pulled a riderless chariot through the site, and if it crashed, then the chariot was dedicated to the god. Cults to Poseidon date as far back as the late Bronze Age and the Mycenaean civilization (at its peak from the 15th to 12th century BCE), as attested by Linear B inscriptions found at Pylos in the Peloponnese and Knossos on Crete. Alongside its contributions to philosophy, astrology, and medicine, Greece's sites from classical antiquity have stood the test of time. Trojan War: Is the Myth of the Fall of Troy Actually True? The Greeks relied upon water for survival because it was crucial for food, shipping and trade, among other things. He was a protector to mariners and, as a tamer of horses, the patron of that animal and horse breeding. He is distinguished from Pontus, the personification of the sea and the oldest Greek divinity of the waters. Special interests include art, architecture, and discovering the ideas that all civilizations share. With a rich history that intersects with mythological figures from the legendary Greek pantheon, an international team of archaeologists believes it has discovered the Temple of Samian Poseidon at the acropolis of the ancient city of Samikon in Greece. Winter- 9:30am Sunset, The view from Pnyx Hill where the Peoples Assembly congregated at the start of #democracy . The Temple is clearly of importance to the Lord. The Temple dates back to 5c BC and considering the age is pretty well preserved imo. The god was particularly revered here and was the focus of horse races and other events at the Panhellenic Isthmian games which were held in his honour near Corinth. Dont miss out, sign up and get the best of Why Athens delivered directly to your inbox. According to the Greek poet Hesiod, Poseidons trident, like Zeuss thunderbolt andHades helmet, was fashioned by the three Cyclopes. Photograph: Why Athens, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window), At the end of the Sounio Peninsula at the southernmost point of Attica, lies the Templeof Poseidon within a fort that protects the coast of Attica. The Parthenon friezes meant to convey a Panathenaic procession, the victory of the Athenians at Marathon, the power of Athens as a city-state, and the piety of its citizens. If you peer at the east pediment really closely, you might even make out a seated woman, the only remainder of the sculptural . The Temple was erected around 590 BC., as a dedication by the Tiphylian Polis of Skillous, originally in honour of their main partron deity at Olympia, Zeus, which was later dedicated to Hera after the control pf Olympia was passed from Tiphylia to Elis in 580 B.C., or when the famous temple of Zeus was built. It is about 16 kilometers (9.9 mi) east of ancient Corinth, at the site of ancient Isthmia. Their relations produced a horse, Arion. So much so that Lord Byron thought to carve his name into the columns, and set an unfortunate trend. Completing location objectives at Temple of Poseidon and defeating the Cultist "Okytos the Great" Pylos, we know, had Poseidon as its main god with a priestess as the head of his cult. In the legendary competition with Athena to win the patronage of Athens, Poseidon offered to the city the gifts of a saltwater spring and a horse. The Greek poet Hesiod (c. 700 BCE) is most famous for his works Poseidon: The Origins and History of the Greek God of the Sea, Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike. :https://youtu.be/vAKuZh-bnoM* * * * * * * * * * * * *Explore more from Sounio and how to get there:https . At 490 feet above sea level, it's possible to see the rock from almost every spot in the capital, especially in the center . For only $5 per month you can become a member and support our mission to engage people with cultural heritage and to improve history education worldwide. During the Archaic Period, another Temple of Poseidon had been present on top of this cliff. The Temple of Poseidon has been dated to around 520 B.C. Get time period newsletters, special offers and weekly programme release emails. Second Temple of Hera at Paestum. The ultimate guide to the very best Greek temples in the world, from Agrigento to Paestum and more, includes an interactive map surviving temples from Ancient Greece. He was often worshipped by seamen who requested his protection while traveling on the water. It took many different attempts for Poseidon to create the horse, during which he created several other animals. The thought was that if Poseidon was happy he would not wreak vengeance upon the Greeks. If you want to read more about the Third Temple prophecies, click HERE. Still, the god was honoured by the annual Posideai festival - which perhaps had more to do with agriculture than the sea - and the mid-winter month of Posideon carried his name. Why Athens Tips: The port town of Lavrio is a ten minute drive away and another great alternative for lunch or dinner. Poseidon was god of the sea, earthquakes, storms, and horses and is considered one of the most bad-tempered, moody and greedy Olympian gods. Theseus forgot to change the sails colour, leading Aegeus to wrongly believe that his son had been killed during his quest. The foremost of these were his sanctuary near Corinth, site of the Isthmian Games, and the shrines of Helice in Achaea and Onchestus in Boeotia. The purpose of a Greek temple was usually to house a cult statue or emblem. The Temple of Poseidon. Tour the Temple of Poseidon, dedicated to the mythological god of the sea and absorb the unique views across the Aegean. His primary means of transportation was a chariot pulled by horses. Pack stops to the Temple of Poseidon and Athens Riviera into one day with this Athens Cape Sounion and Temple of Poseidon Sunset Tour and save time if you were to travel to them alone. Poseidon is most often described by both Homer and Hesiod as 'deep sounding Earth-shaker', the 'dark-haired one' and 'encircler of the earth.' Known for its expressive architecture, striking ruins, and picturesque landscape, there are a number of essential sites for any visitor to see. Ancient ruins unearthed in Elis, Greece, have been identified by archaeologists as the lost temple of Poseidon of Samikon described in the works of the great ancient Greek geographer Strabo. Indeed, the god seems to have been one of the most important Mycenaean deities, perhaps no surprise given the culture's obvious seafaring skills. For this reason, it made sense that one god looked after all these waterways which encircled the earth (even if many rivers and springs had their own specific personifications in mythology). Get occasional updates, exclusive tips and giveaways delivered to your inbox. It can take a long time to destroy a building surrounded with Poseidon houses. It's a large temple and you can walk inside this one too. He was also the biological father of Orion. Sounio is located on the southernmost tip of Attica; it is the end point of the Athenian Riviera, where the horizon meets the Aegean Sea, at a 69km distance from Athens. Note: You MUST have an Poseidon Temple in your city before you may purchase a Poseidon House. He was a key figure in the battles for control of the universe between the Titans, the Giants, and the Olympians. It was one of three large sanctuaries dedicated to the sea-god Poseidon in the Saronic area and formed a triangle with the Temple of Aphaia on the island of Aegina and the Temple of Poseidon at Cape Sounio. Hexastyle in its original design (6 columns in width x 13 columns in length), only 16 of the original 38 columns remain. Seemingly not content with the seas alone, Poseidon often interfered in the plans of Zeus, and once even attempted to overthrow his brother with the aid of Hera and Athena. In the Greek religion, Poseidon was said to hold the Isthmus of Corinth in special regard; probably as it was an important sea route. Homer, in the Odyssey (c 278), calls the Cape of Sounio as "the sacred cape of the Athenians". British poet Lord Byron was one of many who fell under its spell, composing poetry in its honour and has his name carved on one of its iconic marble pillars (although who did this is debatable). Photograph: Why Athens, Getting to the ancient theatre of Epidaurus from Athens, Beautiful neoclassical buildings in Athens. [2] In his benign aspect, Poseidon was seen as creating new islands and offering calm seas. He then transformed into a stallion and pursued her. He was known to be vengeful when insulted. Why it's important It has been welcoming visitors to Piraeus for 2,500 years, since it's the first ancient Athenian landmark one sees when approaching by sea. In Greek mythology, Poseidon was the god of the sea and protector of all water. At Cape Sounion, 70km south of Athens, the Temple of Poseidon stands on a craggy spur that plunges. Due to its large size, the temple was believed by early travellers to have been dedicated to Poseidon, titular divinity of the site of Poseidonia. The Temple is roughly 300 metres from the entrance to the archaeological site. The Greeks relied upon water for survival because it was crucial for food, shipping and trade, among other things. She was eventually slain by the hero, Perseus. Hundreds of history documentaries, ad free podcasts and subscriber rewards. Along with the Parthenon and the temple of Aphaia, on nearby Aegina island, Poseidon's mighty monument completes the Sacred Triangle of antiquity. After Cronus was imprisoned, Poseidon was awarded the sea for his help in the coup. Traditionally, this undersea palace, which included the god's stables of fine white horses, was located near Aegae in Euboea. However, he does also give aid to the Trojan hero Aeneas in order to escape from the fearsome Achilles. Below Cape Sounio is a small beach with two fish tavernas. 09 Nov 2022. Poseidon fell in love with Demeter, and to distract him, Demeter asked Poseidon to create the most beautiful animal in the world for her. This building dedicated to the goddess Athena stands tall upon the ancient Athenian acropolis and . That is why the Athenians decided to built a temple there, dedicated to Poseidon, the god of the sea, to give them nice sea trips so that they would come back home safe. The Temple of Olympian Zeus, located in central Athens, is a colossal ruined temple that was dedicated to Zeus. Poseidon was moody by nature: his temperament was unstable at best, and his emotional fluctuations often resulted in violence. Improve this listing Tours & experiences Explore different ways to experience this place. Built of tufa, it may well have been destroyed by the Persian King Xerxes in 480 BC, following his sacking of the Acropolis at Athens. World History Publishing is a non-profit company registered in the United Kingdom. He eventually was married to Amphitrite. The symbol of ancient Greek culture, it's also one of the most important ancient buildings in Europe. License. Thank you! Perhaps the most celebrated representation of Poseidon is the 2 metre-high bronze statue (c. 460 BCE) from Cape Artemisium (although such is the similarity in the depiction of Poseidon and Zeus in ancient Greek art, it may well represent the latter). It forms the Sacred Triangle of antiquity along with the Parthenon and the temple of Aphaia on Aegina Island. So, overall this seems to have been a temple dedicated to artisans and craftspeople of all kinds. Cartwright, M. (2019, September 04). It may be that Poseidon was a mix of an indigenous but pre-Greek god with Potis, an Indo-European deity. Unmissable Historic Sites to Visit in Veria, Greece, Discover the Ancient World of Alexander the Great, 7 Places to Explore Ancient Roman Warfare, 10 Historic Sites Associated with Emperor Augustus, The 10 Best Bronze Age Sites to Visit in the World, 6 Byzantine Sites and Structures to Visit in Greece, 10 Must-See Historical Attractions in Athens, 10 Dazzling Ancient Greek Ruins in Greece. The Temple of Poseidon of Sounio is a picturesque ruin of a 5th century BC Greek temple dedicated to the deity of the sea. Of course, our trip began with a visit to The Acropolis and The Parthenon, located in the heart of Athens, Greece! It is unlikely for a base to be heavily invested in Zeus Houses, that being said, if this is the case, prioritizing Zeus' Temple is a solid attack plan. The ancient Greeks chose this unique location to build the temple and honor the god Poseidon. World History Encyclopedia. It was as punishment for this treachery that Poseidon was made to build the magnificent walls of Troy. Dedicated to the Hera, the highest goddess in the Greek pantheon, it was the oldest temple at the site and one of the most famous and venerable in all Greece. It was he who caused storms and earthquakes, and he could also calm down the sea and stabilize the earth. Just like rape victims get blamed today. Many coastal settlements across the Mediterranean bore his name (for example, Posidonia/Paestum), and mariners and fishermen everywhere made votive offerings to Poseidon for protection. In Greek mythology, Poseidon was the god of the sea and protector of all water. You will be mesmerised by the blankets of blues, reds and oranges that engulf the temple as the sun descends into the sea. Poseidon was allotted his dominion after the fall of the Titans. On their victory, the three brothers drew lots to decide which domain they would reign over, and Poseidon gained the seas. Between the parking and the Temple itself is a small hill that you will have to climb to reach the spectacular remains. POSEIDON TEMPLE: A SANCTUARY BY THE SEA The temple of Poseidon one of the most important sanctuaries in Attica, lies at Sounio. Made of marble mined from nearby Agrileza and dramatically perched on a cliff overlooking the ocean, the Temple of Poseidon of Sounio is now made up of a rectangle of restored large Doric columns. Poseidon's wife was the Nereid Amphitrite although she had proved a little difficult during the courting process and once fled to the Atlas mountains. Poseidon appeared on coinage, perhaps most strikingly the silver tetradrachms of ancient Macedon (306-283 BCE) where he seems about to hurl his trident. If you've already spent time exploring the TEMPLE OF POSEIDON and can't find your way back, return to the JUNCTION WITH DEEP PIT and scale the climbable wall in the northeast corner. Books Prince of Highwaymen: Who was Dick Turpin? Vivid blue skies over the Temple of Poseidon. Ghost Ship: What Happened to the Mary Celeste? In later Greek mythology, Poseidon was the son of Kronos and Rhea, and brother of Zeus and Hades. The Temple of Poseidon . For a long time, people around Athens believed this to be a temple of Theseus, the mythological. It was one of his most pri Continue Reading Sponsored by RAID: Shadow Legends Another reason Poseidon's trident was so important was because it was one of the biggest reasons why some incredibly strong and/or powerful creatures didn't attack him. Building this temple unlocks Poseidon Houses. If you use any of the content on this page in your own work, please use the code below to cite this page as the source of the content. The god was honoured by boat races held at the cape once every four years. The Temple itself was constructed in the mid 5th century BC, at roughly the same time as the Parthenon and the Temple of Hephaestus in Athens. His name is Greek for "husband." He wielded the trident or three-pronged spear, and this image of him is reflected in art. The sacred sanctuary of Poseidon was built in a cave. Poseidon was the Greek god of the sea and rivers, creator of storms and floods, and the bringer of earthquakes and destruction. He consequently threw himself from the cliffs into the sea. Flannan Isle Mystery: When Three Lighthouse Keepers Vanished Forever, 10 Facts About Britains Forgotten Traitor. The most important and widespread building type in ancient Greece was the temple. The Easiest Way to Shop for Wedding Suits Online, Research on Dinosaurs Extinction Shows Links to Climate Change. Perhaps justifiably jealous of all these affairs, Poseidon's infatuation with Scylla, the daughter of the sea god Phorcys, led Amphitrite to cast some magic herbs in the girl's bath which turned her into a raging monster with twelve feet and six heads. Made entirely of white marble, it was erected in the middle of the 5th century BC and built to honour Poseidon, god of the sea. There is, however, a bit of confusion about whether the temple was also dedicated to Poseidon, and some experts call it 'The Temple of Poseidon at Paestum'. Cartwright, Mark. You must unlock Poseidon before you may build his temple. Cartwright, Mark. Immerse yourself in classical history by stepping into the world of Ancient Greece. Poseidon was worshipped as a fertility god. However, Zeus commanded him to withdraw from the battlefield, and he reluctantly obeyed. It stands to reason that, because of his influence on the waters, he was worshipped in connection with navigation. Poseidon was the Greek god of the sea and rivers, creator of storms and floods, and the bringer of earthquakes and destruction. . The Temple is roughly an hour out from Athens (a 70km drive), heading southwest, and there are several tour operators offering half-day trips. Why The Temple of Poseidon So Famous? The trip to The Temple Of Poseidon is about 90 minutes form Athenswe were staying just south of the city so it asunder an hour for us - well worth the effort to see some of this country's illustrious past! Location. Some Rights Reserved (2009-2022) under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike license unless otherwise noted. Poseidon was the ancient Greek Olympian god of the sea, sources of fresh water, horses and earthquakes. Once the shield has been . ". Perhaps one of the reasons why people often make the mistake of thinking Poseidon was the king of Atlantis is because the most magnificent temple in Atlantis was in Poseidon's honor. He is the son of Cronus and Rhea and was swallowed by his father along with Hades, Demeter, Hestia and Hera. This earned him the nickname Earth-shaker.. Located on a hill overlooking the beach of Vagionia, the site includes the foundations of the sea god's temple, and other major findings such as the arches of the ancient village market and the Asclepeion, also known as the monument to famed Athenian orator Demosthenes. Poseidon. Its construction began in the 6 th century BC but was not completed until the 2 nd century AD. You can find out about catching a sunset tour down to Cape Sounio here. He was widely worshipped with numerous temples and shrines throughout ancient Greece. After this trip to ancient times, your private driver can recommend nearby places to taste the delightful Greek dishes, or even grab a delicious waffle with ice cream.You get to admire stunning Archeological Sites.100% . Why Was Alexander the Greats Victory at the Battle of Issus so Significant? https://www.worldhistory.org/poseidon/. as a monument to Poseidon, the Greek god of the sea. This impressive structure was a symbol of hope and faith in ancient times, marking the end of many perilous sea journeys. Poseidon saved Amymone from a satyr. Sailors and mariners believed that storms resulted from Poseidon's wrath, and the temple served as a palace where they hoped to appease Poseidon and find favor. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike. 1. Poseidon, the ancient god of the sea is memorialized with a temple at Sounion. The first version of the temple was built in the archaic period but it was destroyed by the Persians in 480 B.C, in the second Greco-Persian War. The Temple was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2014, as part of Ancient Lavrion. He was at Mount Olympus more often than his palace. Minos' failure to sacrifice the bull given as a gift by the god resulted in Poseidon bewitching Minos' wife Pasiphae into falling in love with the bull; and the fruit of their amorous relationship was the half-man, half-bull creature which inhabited the labyrinth of Knossos. What Is the Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act? He was the brother of Zeus and helped Zeus and Hades to overthrow their father Cronus, the titan. The Temple of Poseidon Poseidon's Temple is a must visit. Mark is a full-time author, researcher, historian, and editor. There is only one reference to this divide, by Homer in the Iliad. Poseidon could strike the ground with his trident to produce an earthquake. Poseidon also features in Homer's Odyssey as the nemesis of Odysseus. Finally, the god was also credited as being the father of at least 30 different semi-historical city-founders and several major tribes across Greece, likely reflecting the importance the god had in the Mycenaean period. Last modified September 04, 2019. The Temple of Hera, or Heraion, is an ancient Archaic Greek temple in Olympia. Photograph: Why Athens, Overlooking the Sounio Peninsula as the day comes to an end. However, Athena's gift of an olive tree gained greater favour, and it was she who would become the patron of the great city. Provides a strong shield effect to a single target. It's a Doric style Temple strategically built on top of the cliff of Cape Sounion overlooking the sea, dedicated of course to Sea God Poseidon. This masterpiece - the most impressive and talked about in the centuries after the Golden Age of Classical Athens - was the gigantic, chryselephantine cult statue of Athena Parthenos, a massive gold-and-ivory jewel of ancient Greek art, now lost in the mists of time. Admire its magnificent landscape or take a swim in the therapeutic waters that are fed by underground springs of both sea and mineral-rich freshwater with a comfortable temperature of 25 degrees Celsius year round. Related Content He is also frequently portrayed riding his golden chariot pulled by hippocamps - half-horse and half-serpent creatures with fishtails - or gold-shod horses, of which he was patron. They used the temple as a place to offer sacrifices and gifts to appease Poseidon and win his favor and protection while they were at sea. What Are Roberts Rules of Order for Meetings? The terrestrial part of the region is a good example of a Mediterranean landscape. Most notable are Theseus (with Aithra), Polyphemus the Cyclops (whom Odysseus famously encountered on his lengthy return from the Trojan War), Orion the hunter (with the daughter of Minos), the flying horse Pegasus (after the rape of Medusa), the wild horse Arion, and Charybdis (with Gaia), the ship-eating sea monster which created terrible whirlpools. This license lets others remix, tweak, and build upon this content non-commercially, as long as they credit the author and license their new creations under the identical terms. It sprang from a complex plan that was designed to accommodate the radically uneven ground on the site, and to avoid disturbing sacred shrines like the altars to Poseidon (Erechtheus), and Hephaestus, or the spot where Poseidon hit the Acropolis with his trident. From the Acropolis of Athens, Aigai, ancient Olympia, the Lions of Holy Delos, the Temple of Apollo at Delphi, and ancient Thebes to Dion, the Temple of Apollo at Corinth, the Temple of Poseidon at Isthmia, the Temple of Poseidon at Sounio, Leo of Chaeronea, and the Temple of Artemis at Ephesus, Greek topography is characterized by rich . Poseidon assisted the Greeks in the Trojan war. This destruction ultimately paved the way for the building of the monumental marble temple, the remains of which you can see today. "Poseidon." You'll see Cape Sounion and Temple of Poseidon right at sunset, and then continue on to stop for a walk along the waterfront of the Athens Riviera. After the gods defeated the Titans, the world was divided into three and Zeus, Hades and Poseidon drew straws to decide which they would rule. Beatlemania: How Did The Beatles Became International Sex Symbols? Poseidon was a god and that's just what gods do, what got her mad was that it was in her temple and she blamed Medusa. For truly spectacular views this partially-ruined Greek temple is hard to beat. And Jerusalem, the Temple, and Israel still hold their place in God's heart and restoration plan. Medusa is a dimorphic character in the popular imagination; either a tragic feminist hero or a terrifying monstrous villain. History Of Temple of Poseidon The Temple of Poseidon was built between 444 and 440 BC with marble from the Agrilesa valley. The temple was built around 590 BC, but was destroyed by an earthquake in the early 4 th century AD. He was credited with creating the first horse at the request of Demeter. Poseidon was himself responsible for another terrible creature - the Minotaur. Fortunately, the sea god was helped by the dolphin Delphinus who persuaded Amphitrite to return and marry Poseidon. This is the place where Dimosthenis killed himself. We can hold tight to the promises of God while we look forward to that day in the future when we see His throne in His city! It was considered the largest and most impressive temple in Greece, but today, only a fragment remains. Well it is one of the best preserved major monuments of the Gold Age and is surrounded by the most amazing views of the Aegean Sea. In revenge for the blinding of his son Polyphemus, he cursed Odysseus to wander the sea for ten years. Dolphins, seahorses, and tuna fish are additional marine animals frequently seen in the god's company in art. Built in 444 BC - same year as the Parthenon - of marble from nearby Agrilesa, it is a vision of gleaming white columns. The Sacred Rock of the Acropolis is located bang smack in the center of Greece's capital city, Athens. The god's most famous son with Amphitrite was Triton, who was half-man, half-fish. We care about our planet and contribute a share of our revenue to carbon removal from the atmosphere. What was the Temple of Hera 2 used for? His grudge against Odysseus is one theme in the Odyssey. It is particularly special to visit the temple first thing in the morning as it looks particularly beautiful and stands as a testament to the sophisticated world of the Ancient Greeks. It stands to reason that, because of his influence on the waters, he was worshipped in connection with navigation. by Why Athens 45 At the end of the Sounio Peninsula at the southernmost point of Attica, lies the Temple of Poseidon within a fort that protects the coast of Attica. Adjacent is a second temple dedicated to Hera, this one built around 450 BC. Athens: the birthplace of Western civilisation.