Acropolis and Ancient Agora Tour: The Rise & Fall of Democracy

**Small group size: 15 people maximum** For centuries, ancient Athenians experimented with a variety of political regimes until they invented the one that suited them best... or so they thought! Visit the Acropolis & the Ancient Agora, learn the backstory on how democracy was born, and understand its principles, its values, the purposes it served, and, ultimately, the reasons for its failure. Walk in the footsteps of the great minds that established Democracy: Socrates, Pericles, Solon, and Cleisthenes. Explore the Ancient Agora, the heart of ancient Athens, where democracy was first born. Understand why democracy was an experiment, the values and principles it served, and the reasons for its failure. Discover how contemporary democracy compares to Ancient Greek Democracy

1. 1

   Acropolis

   1 hour

   The greatest and finest sanctuary of ancient Athens, dedicated primarily to its patron, the goddess Athena, has been dominating the center of the City for Millenia. The monuments of the Acropolis (the Parthenon, the Temple of Athena Nike, the Erechteion, the Propylae, the Theater of Dionysus), all unique masterpieces of ancient architecture, have influenced art and culture for many centuries and stand in harmony with their natural setting.

2. 2

   Stop 2

   15 min

   Dionysus was the god of wine and grape harvest. The theatre of Dionysus was the oldest to be founded in Athens; it was in this theatre that the unsurpassed works by Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides and Aristophanes were performed for the first time.

3. 3

   Stop 3

   15 min

   The Temple of Athena Nike was dedicated to the goddesses Athena and Nike. Nike was the goddess of victory in Greek mythology, and Athena was worshipped in this form, representative of being victorious in war. It is said that the cult statue of the goddess at the temple had no wings so that she would never leave Athens.

4. 4

   Erectheion

   15 min

   The Erechtheion is an ancient Greek temple constructed on the Acropolis of Athens in order to house the ancient wooden cult statue of Athena and generally glorify the great city at the height of its power and influence.

5. 5

   Parthenon

   30 min

   The Parthenon is temple that dominates the hill of the Acropolis at Athens. It was built in the mid-5th century BCE and dedicated to the Greek goddess Athena Parthenos (“Athena the Virgin”). The temple is generally considered to be the culmination of the development of the Doric order, the simplest of the three Classical Greek architectural orders.

6. 6

   Ancient Agora of Athens

   30 min

   The Agora was the heart of ancient Athens, the focus of political, commercial, administrative and social activity, the religious and cultural centre, and the seat of justice.

7. 7

   Temple of Aries

   15 min

   The magnificent temple of Hephaestus, one of the best preserved ancient temples in the world, was the place of worship for two important deities for many merchants and shop owners of the Ancient Agora: god Hephaestus, protector of all metallurgists, and goddess Athena Ergani, protecting all potters and the cottage industries.

• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• Entry fees are non-refundable, non-exchangeable
• ID card or passport are required for people under the age of 25 for possible discounts
• Strollers, backpacks and big bags are not allowed at the Acropolis and should not be taken on the tour
• Premium, small group tour

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.