Exploring the Past on Student Tours: Archaeology and Classics in Athens - By: Robert Emdur

With a palpable air of history, Athens is one of the most inspirational cities in Europe to take History, Archaeology or Classics candidates on student tours. While today’s Athens is a vibrant and cosmopolitan destination, the city is understandably proud of its cultural heritage, and relics and monuments to history are never hard to find. Enjoying the modern city while exploring one of the oldest fonts of European culture demonstrates the continuation of history and the relevance of Classics and Archaeology in the modern day. If you are thinking of taking a group to Athens, you will be able to visit myriad sites that provide insight into your subject and make it accessible and exciting. Here are just a few.

Acropolis

While there are several other buildings sharing the title acropolis – meaning ‘high city’ or citadel – in Greece, the Acropolis of Athens is so renowned and of such historical importance that it is often simply called The Acropolis. The star feature of many student tours to Greece, this flat-topped rock and the buildings upon it offers a portal into history. To learn about it is one thing, but to explore this iconic place in person is an exciting way to consolidate that learning. Notable features include the monumental gateway, or Propylaea, the Temple of Athena Nike, the Erechtheum temple and, of course, the Parthenon – the Temple of Athena Parthenos or Athena the Virgin. A visit to the Acropolis is completed by a stop the Acropolis Museum, on the southern side of the hill, where many ancient artefacts uncovered at this site are on display

The Amphitheatres

On the southern slope of the Acropolis are two ancient theatres: the Theatre of Dionysus and the Odeon of Herodes Atticus. The former is one of the oldest performance spaces known to archaeologists, and was used for festivals honouring Dionysus with theatrical performances; the latter was built in 161 CE and is well-preserved enough to host plays and concerts today - including performances from big name singers such as Elton John and Sting. Visiting either or both of these awe-inspiring structures is a great opportunity for wider curriculum links on student tours. Pupils also studying classical plays in Drama or English will get an inspirational glimpse into the texts’ original stages; and for anyone with an interest in history and culture, seeing the cradle of European theatre is a unique privilege. Learning about the archaeological side of the sites, their preservation, and the planned restoration of the Theatre of Dionysus, will help students to understand how we relate to our cultural heritage.

National Archaeological Museum

Student tours are not complete without a visit to a well-appointed museum to draw strands of all the students’ excursions into one big picture. The National Archaeological Museum offers such consolidation. The largest such museum in Greece, its collections include objects from all across the country, with impressive sculpture, vase, and bronze galleries. Through these objects, learners can investigate not only the history of Athens but the city’s connection to the rest of Greece and the world, from prehistory to today.

About the Author

Robert Emdur works for Equity Student Travel, the UK’s leading specialist in group travel for students in higher and further education. We organise student tours to destinations around the world covering a wide range of subjects, as well as conference & event-focused trips.

Article Directory Source: http://www.articlerich.com/profile/Robert-Emdur/230121

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