The Origins of the Island

The island of Aegina lies in the Saronic Gulf of Greece, south of island of Salamis where the allied Greek city-states managed to defeat the invading Persians in a great sea battle. Aegina is predominantly made up of a now extinct volcano, which accounts for Aegina’s fertile landscape. Today, the island produces cotton, grapes, almonds, olives and figs, though its chief crop is pistachios. It is also a popular tourist destination, offering beautiful beaches on an island getaway only a short ride from the mainland by ferry.

Large black-figure jug, detail of a bull. Corinthian pottery, ca 600 BC. Archaeological Museum of Aegina. By Zde – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Aegina was inhabited since the Minoan period at least, if not longer. It engaged in heavy rivalry with Athens during the classical period of Grecian history, boasting its own high quality navy – not to mention the attention of gods and heroes.

A Deity’s Tryst

Aegina took its name from a nymph, one of the daughters of the river god Asopus and his wife, the river nymph Metope. The couple had many daughters, and most of them became the object of desire of either Zeus or Apollo. Aegina caught the eye of Zeus, but she was not willing to be his consort. Refusing to be denied, Zeus made himself a great eagle and abducted the girl. He took her to the island now known as Aegina, then called Oenone. In a rage, Asopus began a search for his daughter, and eventually came to the great city of Corinth.

Attic red-figure pyxis (c.470–460 BC) showing the abduction of Aigina, one of the daughters of Asopus, by Zeus. By Caeciliusinhorto – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0.

King Sisyphus of Corinth, a wily and crafty ruler, had seen Zeus carrying off Aegina and offered to tell Asopus if the god would strike a spring into the acropolis of Corinth. Asopus pursued Zeus to the island on Sisyphus’s information, but Zeus threw down his thunderbolts to stop Asopus and retain his prize. Learning who had betrayed his location, Zeus sent death to claim Sisyphus’s life and chain him up in Tartarus, but Sisyphus tricked Death and locked him up with his own chains.

The Myth of Sisyphus

Without Death able to perform his job, the Earth plunged into chaos. The horribly diseased, mortally wounded, bled out, missing limbs or even decapitated wandered about, unable to die. Eventually, Death was freed by Ares, the god of war, who was frustrated that his battles were not nearly as fun when his opponents wouldn’t die. Ares delivered Sisyphus back to Hades, but he would once again cheat death and return to the surface, begging Persephone to allow him back up to make sure that he was given proper funeral rites.

“Punishment of Sisyph” – painting by Titian (1488-1576). Photo taken by Dodo. Retouched with clens and the Gimp., Public Domain.

He promised to return in three days, but obviously had no intention of keeping that promise, and lived out his days until finally dying of old age. In punishment for his schemes, Sisyphus was given eternal punishment in Hades, condemned to carry a rock up a steep hill. When he had almost reached the top of the hill, the rock would inevitable slip from his grasp and roll back down, and he would have to go get it to roll up the hill again – forever. Sisyphus’s fate forms the backdrop of the famous Absurdist essay by Albert Camus, The Myth of Sisyphus.

Aegina’s Legacy

Meanwhile, back on Aegina, the young nymph gave birth to a son, Aeacus, who was raised to immortality by Zeus and became the first king of Aegina. His rule began in hardship, however, when a Jealous Hera sent a plague that wiped out the inhabitants of Aegina. Aeacus noticed a large colony of ants in a large oak tree, and prayed to Zeus to make the ants into men. Zeus accepted his prayers, and the morphed ants repopulated Aegina as Aeacus’s subjects.

Aeacus became renowned as a wise, just, and piously devoted king. He became a great favorite of all the gods, and even they would come to him to help settle their disputes. On one occasion, when the gods became angry with Greece and sent a great drought, they informed the Oracle at Delphi that only the prayers of Aeacus could possibly save the land. When planning the foundation of the great city of Troy, Apollo and Poseidon brought Aeacus with them to help design the walls.

Achilles’ surrender of Briseis to Agamemnon, from the House of the Tragic Poet in Pompeii, By anonymous, Public Domain.

Construction of the walls was not Aeacus’s only connection to Troy either, as his son Peleus would go on to father the great hero Achilles, who led the Myrmidons in the Siege of Troy. Aegina had another son, Menoetius, by the mortal Actor. Menoetius became the king of Opus, and joined Jason’s Argonauts in the search for the Golden Fleece.  Aegina’s grandson through Menoetius was Patroclus, the cousin and close friend of Achilles who fatally accompanied him in the attack on Troy.

After the Greeks

With the coming of Philip II and Alexander, Aegina joined the rest of Greece in falling under the rule of the Macedonians, the Antigonids, and finally the Romans. Under Roman rule, Aegina became a hub of many different religions. Not only did it maintain its connections to traditional gods and goddesses of Greek and Roman mythology, but also fostered a thriving Jewish community and became the home of a fledgling Christian community, led by bishop Crispus. Aegina became part of the Eastern Roman Empire after the split, and flourished as a part of the new Byzantine Empire.

Archaeological site at Kolona in Aegina. By Zde – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0.

What to See Here?

Without doubt the most impressive site to see at Aegina is the Temple of Aphaia, the mother-goddess. Built in 500 B.C., the temple you see today is a rebuild of a temple destroyed in around 570 B.C. by a fire. Aspects of the destroyed temple have been recovered display many traces of paintwork. The pedimental sculptures are impressive – as well as indicators of a stylistic change from Archaic to early Classical – are on display in the Glyptothek museum in Munich. There are a range of fragments and smaller finds on display at Aegina and on the site itself.

Temple of Aphaia. By Paweł & Szubert – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0.

Aigina on TimeTravelRome app

Header image: Aegina. By Kostas Vassis – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Founder of Cynic Philosophy

This philosophical approach was to live by nature and free of material possessions, as wealth caused anxiety and problems. The aim was for a clear mind, free from foolishness and false belief. Therefore, social conventions and moral codes had to be questioned.  The word ‘Cynic’ comes from the term kynikos, meaning ‘dog-like’. The specifics are a bit hazy, but the use of ‘dog’ as an insult against the Cynics for their shameless behaviour was common. Without a doubt, Diogenes practised these values in excess.

He was born at Sinope, where his father Hicesias was the master of the mint. Interestingly, Diogenes went into exile after he and his father were involved in a debasement of currency scandal. For this reason, Diogenes migrated to Athens. Subsequently, Diogenes began his famous residence in the large jar in the Athenian Agora. Ancient evidence reveals that the ‘Agora’ was the central public gathering space of a Greek city, which was originally used to announce civic and political matters. The Agora then later became a hub for merchants, shopkeepers, traders, politicians, and philosophers. This made it an important part of Athenian civic life. Consequently, the Agora would have been a high traffic area. Hence, one can wonder how frequently Diogenes would have been in the public eye.  

Diogenes Tales

It is argued that Diogenes used a more ‘erratic and aggressive style of philosophy’.  Although evidence is scattered and claimed to be of doubtful authenticity, the legends about Diogenes and his behaviour certainly reveal him to have been an eccentric character. Here is a selection of these tales:

• Behold, a man!

As a response to Plato’s tongue-in-cheek definition of a man as a bipedal featherless animal, Diogenes plucked a chicken, brought it to Plato’s Academy in Athens and declared “Behold! I have brought you a man!” Consequently, ‘having broad nails’ was added to the definition.

• A drinking cup was too luxurious

Diogenes threw away his cup after watching a child drinking out of his hands, stating “A child has beaten me in plainness of living!”, referencing his austere lifestyle.

• A futile search

Another tale describes Diogenes walking through the streets during the day with his oil lamp lit. When asked about this behaviour, he declared “I’m looking for an honest man!”, implying all those around him were immoral.

• When he got caught out for public indecency…

It is said that when Diogenes was approached for masturbating in public, he would lament “If only it were as easy to relieve hunger by rubbing one’s stomach…”

• Food always tastes better when it’s free

When asked what wine he found most pleasant to drink, Diogenes replied, “That for which other people pay.”

• I’ll give you a dog!

During a feast, some of the guests kept throwing bones to Diogenes as you would throw scraps to a dog. In response, Diogenes played the part by lifting his leg and urinating on them.

• I’m sunbathing here, thanks

Legends around when Diogenes met Alexander the Great in Corinth are found in various ancient sources. It is recorded that Alexander came across Diogenes lying on the ground in the sun and asked him if he needed anything. Diogenes responded that he needed nothing else except for Alexander to get out of his sun. Alexander declared that “If I were not Alexander than I would wish to be Diogenes!”

Later Years

Diogenes spent his later years in Corinth, where he died in 323BCE. He remains an interesting character from the ancient world and continues to amuse and capture one’s imagination. Additionally, as these stories occurred in sites known today, it helps bring them to life. And lastly, Diogenes supposedly lived in a large ceramic jar near the gymnasium in Corinth too.

What to see on Athens Agora today :

The Ancient Agora was founded as early as the 6th century BC and was a centre for commerce and political assembly for the ancient Greeks. While Greece was considered a Roman province following the destruction of Corinth in 146 BC, Athens attempted to maintain independence until Sulla’s siege in 86 BC. Following this, Caesar instigated the construction of a Roman Agora to the east of the ancient Athenian Agora. While this new centre became the primary place for business and commerce, the buildings throughout the ancient Agora continued to be used, including the famous Stoa of Attalus. During the Roman period a number of new monuments and buildings were constructed, which show a focus on the Agora’s use for cultural pursuits. Additional stoas and speaking platforms were constructed as well as the Odeion of Agrippa (15 BC), the Library of Pantainos (AD 100), several temples dedicated to worship of the imperial family, a statue of Emperor Hadrian, and a basilica (2nd century AD). The Heruli raid in AD 267 saw extensive damage to much of the Ancient Agora. The late-Roman fortifications were built following this raid from architectural pieces scavenged from the destroyed buildings.

The Athenian Agora is open for visitors to explore the ancient ruins. While the Stoa of Attalus has been restored, many of the Roman-era buildings are fragmentary with only statues, partially standing columns, and the foundations or lower walls to show the original arrangement of the Agora. Of the Imperial-era temples, only scattered architectural elements and foundations remain. The torso portion of the statue of Hadrian is on display. The partially excavated ruins of the Library of Pantainos are visible to the south of the Stoa of Attalus, and show the foundations and lower walls. The later Roman defensive wall was built over the rear library rooms. Much of the late-Roman fortified wall remains with its interesting mix of marble blocks, statue bases, Ionic and Doric columns, and inscribed plaques. A museum is located in the Stoa of Attalos. While many of the displays focus on the earlier Classical or Hellenistic periods, there are also exhibitions of Roman-era artefacts and prominent citizens.

Agora of Athens on Timetravelrome app:

The Agora of Athens is just one of the 25 sites in Athens that TimeTravelRome app shows on the map and describes in detail.

To find out more: Timetravelrome.

Authors: Diogenes story was written for Timetravelrome by Meaghan Zarb. The text about Athens’ Agora was written by Michelle Richards.

Sources:

Diogenes Laertius, Lives of Eminent Philosophers, 6.2.

Arrian, Anabasis of Alexander, 7.

Plutarch, Lives – Alexander, 14.

Lucian, Historia, 3.

American School of Classical Studies at Athens, The Athenian Agora: A Guide to the Excavation and Museum, 3rd edn, Athens, Ekdotike Hellados, 1976.

Baltussen, Han,‘A Bark Worse than His Bite? Diogenes the Cynic and the Politics of Tolerance in Athens’, in The Art of Veiled Speech: Self-Censorship from Aristophanes to Hobbes, Han Baltussen and Peter J. Davies (eds), Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania Press, 2015.

Hazel, John, Who’s Who in the Greek World?, London/New York, Taylor and Francis Group, 2002.

Piering, Julie, ‘Cynics’, Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy.

Piering, Julie, ‘Diogenes of Sinope’, Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy.

Header Photo: Diogenes of Sinope painted by Jean-Léon Gérôme in 1860, now in the Walters Art Museum. The picture is in public domain.

Western side of Acropolis: Erechteion and Athena Promachus 

The coin below was struck in Athens under the Roman rule, possibly, in the second part of the 2^nd century AD or maybe earlier. The obverse shows Athena wearing Corinthian helmet. The reverse of the coin shows the view of the Athens Acropolis from north and west. 

The coin above is an average state of preservation. Thus, for illustration purposes, we will use the reproduction of a similar coin taken from an old monograph. One can see on the reverse of the coin two temples on the top of a rocky hill. The left temple is Erechteion, and the right one is not a temple, but the Propylaia. From the ground level the Panathenaic Way is leading upward to the Propylaia on the right side. The colossal statue of Athena Promachus stands between the Erechteion and Propylaia. Finally, on the slope of the hill, there is a niche representing the Cave of Pan.  

One theory says that this coin was struck in commemoration of renovations decided by Claudius. This roman emperor was a benefactor of Greece as he restored to Greece statues that Caligula had carried off. It is also possible that the coin was struck to commemorate the paving of the staircase leading to the Acropolis with white marble. Today, most numismatists think this coin was not truck under Claudius but later, in the middle of the 2^nd century AD. Another example of this rare coin can be found on the website of the Ashmolean Museum.

Southern side: Parthenon and Theater of Dionysos

The coin below is much rarer than the first one. Only a handful of them were found so far. One of such coins is part of British Museum’s Payne-Knight collection. Another one is kept in Harvard Museum.

This second coin was possibly struck in commemoration of the newly renovated Dionysos Theatre during Hadrian’s reign. Hadrian was the first emperor to visit Athens since Augustus and he was agonothete (superintendant) at the Dionysia in Athens in 125 and 132 AD. He was also a great benefactor of Athens and the Theatre of Dionysos was adorned with his statues. However, we can’t be sure about this date of mint or the association with Hadrian: so far only a dozen of coins with Parthenon reverse were found.    

For further reading about the coins we have described we suggest the following reading: “Athenian Imperial Coinage”, Hesperia Volume 5, Issue 3 (1936).  

Acropolis changes in Roman times

The two coins above highlight Acropolis appearance in the roman time. But in fact only very few changes were made to the Acropolis during the roman period. The most important addition was the circular temple of Rome and Augustus. It was built in 19 BC to commemorate the victory of Augustus over Parthia. A number of statues were also rededicated to Augustus and the Roman general Marcus Agrippa. 

On the southern slopes, several buildings were re-modelled following damage during Sulla’s attacks. Later, the Odeon of Herodes Atticus was built. On the north face, an additional sanctuary cave was founded which the archons used for offerings to Apollo when assuming office. 

Around the time of the Herulian invasion of AD 267, the Acropolis walls were strengthened, and a new staircase and the Beulé Gate were constructed at the entrance to the Propylaia to restrict access to the sacred precinct

What to see there now ? 

Visitors enter the Acropolis via the monumental Roman staircase. It leads to the Propylaia and the Temple of Athena Nike. The most prominent buildings are from the Classical Period and include the Parthenon and Erechtheion. 

The Roman-era temple to Rome and Augustus is no longer standing. Visitors tend to leave the Acropolis through the Beulé Gate. On the southern slopes, the Odeon of Herodes Atticus and Theatre of Dionysus are beautifully preserved.

To find out more: Timetravelrome.