greece
Theatre of Epidaurus
The Theatre of Epidaurus, and yes you can sit in the very back row of the theatre and clearly hear the conversations on the stage. The theatre was built in the 4th Century BCE, about 2400 years ago, and is part of the massive healing sanctuary of Epidaurus, the best in the classical world.
The theatre is still in use, and has seating for about 14000. Tickets are available here.
Parthenon
You can’t take too many pictures of the magnificent Parthenon
A day at the races
The Ancient stadium of Nemea was build around 330BC for the Argos games. It is very typical of ancient Greek stadiums. Except if you want, you can race there. In 1996 they revived games at the stadium, and anybody can complete. Now you complete just for fun. There are no prized or records of winners but I think it just might be a plan. The next games in are 2020.
The tunnel through which athletes enter the stadium. The ancient changing room is just behind the tunnel.
The start line.
Agamemnon’s tomb
Ok firstly, this is almost certainly not the actual grave of Agamemnon. Agamemnon was the king of Mycenae and is most famous for his role in the sacking of Troy told to us in the Iliad by Homer (a book you really should read – I recommend Lattimore or Lombardo’s translations). But it is undoubtably the tomb of a king, and probably a king that pre-dates Agamemnon.
The door to this tholos tomb (beehive tomb) measures over 5m tall, the lintel above the door, which weigh over 100tons each!
We will never know who was burried there, but it is a remarkable place to visit.
Circle Grave
These circular graves would originally have had a roof, but that has fallen in a long time ago. A commoner would not be buried here; it would be reserved for royalty. In my next post I will be sharing an even more impressive grave, the so-called tomb of Agamemnon
