News from Greece about the Parthenon Posted by Ourania on May 10, 2019 in News, Vocabulary
A traveler cannot leave Athens without visiting its landmark, the Parthenon. In this post there is a brief presentation of the news about the Parthenon, information on a famous mythic battle depicted on parts of the Parthenon and a list of words related to monuments.
timeflies1955 via Pixabay
The Greek Archaeological Council decided to restore the inner-chamber of the Parthenon, in which was stored the statue of goddess Athena (Αθηνά). Τhis work requires the restoration of approximately 250 stones which are placed under the ground. The aim is to bring out the wall as it was formed after the bombing of Morosini in 1687 and before the siege of the Acropolis (Ακρόπολη) in 1822 when the Turks broke the ancient stones to take and use the lead. The Turks broke 500 stones. The restoration will be accomplished in fifteen years.
The Battle of the Centaurs (Η Κενταυρομαχία)
The Centaur battle is depicted on carved marbles on of the Southern metopes of Parthenon (Metopes 1-12 and 22-32). According to the myth, the Lapiths (Λαπίθες) were people brought to Thessaly by Pirithus (Πειρίθοος)and Theseus (Θησέας). Pirithos, to celebrate his marriage to (Ιπποδάμεια) Hippodameia, made a feast in which he invited the Centaurs (Κένταυροι), who were his relatives. Τhe Centaurs were uncivilized creatures, and as they were not accustomed to wine, the were drunk and one of them, Eurytion (Ευρυτίων), tried to rape the bride. The Lapiths cut Eurytion’s nose and ears and ordered the Centaurs to leave. The wedding ended in a fight and many fighters were lost from both sides. In the end, the Lapiths defeated the Centaurs and forced them to leave Thessaly.
Dias12 via Pixabay
Vocabulary about monuments
monument: μνημείο (το)
temple: ναός (ο)
Doric order: δωρικός ρυθμός (ο)
Ionian order: ιωνικός ρυθμός (ο)
Corinthian order: κορινθιακός ρυθμός
ancient theater: αρχαίο θέατρο (το)
palace: ανάκτορο (το) / παλάτι (το)
settlement: οικισμός (ο)
graveyard: νεκροταφείο (το)
tomb: τάφος (ο)
Roman: ρωμαϊκός-η-ο
Byzantine: βυζαντικός-η-ο
Venetian ενετικός-η-ο
castle: κάστρο (το)
tower: πύργος (ο)
fortress: φρούριο (το)
stadium: στάδιο (το)
oracle: μαντείο (το)
sanctuary: ιερό (το)
odeon: ωδείο (το)
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About the Author: Ourania
Ourania lives in Athens. She holds a degree in French Literature and a Master’s degree in Special Education for Children. Since 2008, she has been teaching Greek to foreigners.
Comments:
Stella:
I love all your posts. I am impressed though with this last one on The Parthenon. Students need to know about the spirit of the most elegant temple ever built by the Hellenes in the world.
Ourania:
@Stella Thank you, Stella!
Carolyn:
As a frequent visitor of the Parthenon and a student of Greek, I am especially interested in this post. Do you think you could write the text in Greek as well as in English (not only for this one, but for all future ones)? That would help with the language learning even more!
Ourania:
@Carolyn Hello! Thank you for your interest. I understand it would be useful to read posts in Greek, but the posts must be written in English. There is also a word limit.