Discovering Athens and the Acropolis
This past Easter, we had the pleasure of exploring the captivating city of Athens, with the iconic Acropolis as its crown jewel. Despite the passage of millennia and necessary restoration work, many structures still stand, offering a glimpse into the grandeur of ancient times. The sheer scale of the Parthenon, the centerpiece temple, is truly awe-inspiring.
the Reality of Ruins
However, while much of the Acropolis remains, we are left with ruins—fragmented remnants of what once was. Imagining the site as it existed around 400 BC, bustling with activity, can be challenging. Although the information signs and historical drawings provide context, and the Acropolis Museum features an engaging 3D movie about the site’s history, these elements fall short of recreating the lived experience of ancient Greeks.
Bridging the Past with Modern Technology
Assassins Creed Odyssey is a computer game that situates itself in ancient Greece. The development team has put a lot of effort in recreating various parts of Greece in a historically accurate way. Many of the temples were not plain white as they are today, but very colorful.
The developers have meticulously recreated various regions of Greece with historical accuracy, revealing that many temples, now seen in plain white, were originally vibrant with color.
In this game, you can stroll through a lively Athens circa 400 BC and explore the Acropolis in its prime. It offers a vivid portrayal of ancient life, allowing encounters with historical figures like Socrates, Pericles, and Leonidas. For an even deeper dive into history, the game’s Discovery mode removes combat and quests, transforming the experience into an educational tour. It’s like visiting a living museum, with the city preserved in its full glory.
In my opinion, this interactive experience enriches your understanding and appreciation of the Acropolis far more than traditional methods alone.
Front of the Parthenon
Side of the Parthenon
The cariatides
Acropolis at night
Statue of Athena
Side notes
Building a Lego temple
Inspired by my visit, I constructed a small Lego replica of the Temple of Athena Nike. Here’s the result of my creative endeavor:
VR at the Roman theatre in Orange
Last summer, I visited the Roman Theatre in Orange, France, which remains in remarkable condition. So good in fact that they are still hosting modern performances there! What truly stood out was their VR experience, which vividly reconstructs the theatre’s original state and construction process. This immersive technology provided an interesting insight into the theatre’s history, much like the virtual journey through ancient Athens in Assassin’s Creed Odyssey.
Delving Deeper into Ancient Greece with “Alkibiades”
Another excellent way to immerse yourself in the world of ancient Greece is through the novel Alkibiades by Ilja Leonard Pfeijffer. Currently, the book is available only in Dutch, but translations are on the horizon.
The novel centers around the intriguing character of Alkibiades, whom you might recognize from Assassin’s Creed Odyssey. It follows his adventures across Greece, highlighting his interactions with notable figures such as Pericles and his pivotal role in the wars against Sparta.
While the book features lengthy and complex sentences that can make it a challenging read, I found the effort to be immensely rewarding. It offers a rich, detailed portrayal of Alkibiades’ life and the broader historical context, providing a profound understanding of this fascinating period.
Geek stuff 