Hello everyone. Today, we’re diving into a fascinating discovery that takes us back to ancient Greece, where a piece of graffiti has unlocked the secrets of a lost temple dedicated to Athena, the goddess of war and wisdom. Yes, you heard that right—graffiti! Let’s unravel this mystery together.
Archeologists recently uncovered a 2,500-year-old piece of graffiti that led them to the remains of a previously unknown temple to Athena. This discovery was made among over 2,000 remnants of ancient Greek graffiti, and it all started with a diagram etched into the rock by a shepherd or herder.
This shepherd, who lived centuries ago, left behind a detailed drawing of a temple that once stood where the iconic Parthenon now resides. According to Professor Merle Langdon from the University of Tennessee, the inscription identifies this structure as “the Hekatompedon,” a term which means “100-footer” in ancient Greek, referring to the temple’s impressive size.
Here’s where it gets even more intriguing: the alphabet used in this graffiti dates back to the 6th century BC—at least 50 years before the construction of the Parthenon began! This earlier temple, known as the Hekatompedon, was an operational temple on the south side of the Acropolis. It’s believed that the columns and structures of this ancient temple were reused in the construction of the Parthenon and other surviving structures on the Acropolis.
The engraved inscription simply reads “the Hekatompedon [—] of Mikon,” shedding light on its origin. There are two possible temples that could match Mikon’s diagram: the Bluebeard Temple and the Gigantomachy Temple, also known as the Old Temple of Athena. The Bluebeard Temple, built around the second quarter of the 6th century BC, is named for a unique three-headed serpent with a blue beard found among its ruins. The Gigantomachy Temple, dating back to the same period, remains a topic of debate among scholars regarding its exact original location.
MORE ON possible Hekatompedon grafitti.
Ancient Greek shepherd’s graffiti helps crack long-standing mystery of lost temple in Athenshttps://t.co/du7oQxZAbE https://t.co/7ZRbUVbqG3 pic.twitter.com/ui9DChP4DP
— Sarah (@Sarah404BC) June 21, 2024
Langdon and his colleague, archeologist Jan van Rookhuijzen, have analyzed this ancient graffiti using high-resolution photographs and detailed reproductions. They compared Mikon’s drawing to other architectural drawings and inscriptions from the wider Athens area. Their conclusion? Mikon’s sketch is the earliest known depiction of admiration for the architecture of the Acropolis, showcasing the temple’s columns and roof-like entablature with remarkable detail.
Interestingly, Mikon’s graffiti is also the earliest recorded instance of the term “Hekatompedon” being used to describe a large temple or building, predating 37 other known examples of this name in the Greek world.
But why did ancient shepherds create so much graffiti? Van Rookhuijzen suggests it might have been a form of escapism during the dull moments of their job. The hill where Mikon’s graffiti was found, now a southern suburb of Athens, is covered in ancient shepherd graffiti, offering a treasure trove of historical insights.
While this ancient graffiti has suffered from over two millennia of erosion, making some letters illegible, it still provides a valuable glimpse into the past. The discovery of Mikon’s graffiti and the lost temple to Athena enriches our understanding of ancient Greek history and the architectural marvels of the Acropolis.
So, folks, next time you see graffiti, remember—it might just be the key to uncovering a hidden chapter of history!
