Our ship returned us to the port in Pireaus where we met our trusty bus driver and started the hour and a half drive to Corinth. I wonder how long it would’ve taken Paul to make this hike.
The first place we stopped was the canal in Corinth which connects two ports.
This was one of my favorite things we saw today. It is less than 70 feet across at sea level and 260 feet from the water to the top. It is 3.9 miles long and took 12 years to complete. Behind us they were bungee jumping. Patrick held me back!
Next we visited the archaeological museum in ancient Corinth. Bill would have loved it. My favorite story there has no photograph because we were not allowed to take any. It seems that ancient Corinth extends well into the countryside. They just don’t know where yet. A farmer hit something while plowing and it turned out to be two beautiful funeral statues. A little further digging also revealed their undisturbed graves complete with bones. That was really cool. It hasn’t been fully documented yet so we were unable to photograph them.
They say that if your second toe is longer than the big toe, you are likely Greek.
None of the statues on display sported their heads. It’s interesting how they all had half spherical bowls where the heads should be. It turns out that this was a very practical thing. Whenever they got a new emperor they would just switch out the heads. It was cheaper and faster.
Here is some proof that there really was a synagogue on site. Later we saw the building that is believed to have been it. Acts 18:1-11
This would have been a marketplace with shops on the side, two sets of columns on the left and right to support a roof and a meticulously laid street.
These are archeology students from Grove City College in Pennsylvania. They are working on a mosaic.
All cities in Greece had an Acropolis which was where the people took shelter in case of invasion or other disaster. This one is visible from the archaeological site.
After a wonderful Greek lunch at a local restaurant, we drove to Athens for our afternoon of exploring.
How many columns do you see on the front of the Parthenon? Eight. 8 x 2 + 1 = 17, the number of columns on the side. Athenians were into mathematical balance.
This is a smaller structure but the math is the same. Six pillars across the front times two plus one equals thirteen, the number of pillars on the side.
The columns are made up of sections called drums. They all fit together. This is part of a base on its side.
These people are on Mars Hill. This is where Paul delivered information about the unknown god. Acts 17:22-31
Patrick is standing on the edge of Mars Hill with the Acropolis behind him.
Switching gears ever so slightly, this is one of my favorite modern statues in Athens. It is called The Runner and is made of thousands of panes of glass. It’s quite impressive.
LORD, It is hard to encapsulate everything that we saw and heard today. It has all been fabulous. Help us to take with us the understanding that it is up to us to spread your Word as Paul did. Give us the wisdom, discernment and courage we need to do it. Amen
These are amazing and the history you are sharing is so interesting. Thank you!♥️
ReplyDeleteVery educational post, Patience! Love the pictures and your descriptions!!
ReplyDeleteSo very interesting!! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteWow! Thank you again for taking the time to share your experiences as they are unfolding.
ReplyDeleteThank you for giving us the Biblical facts on all these beautiful pl
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