Athens, Greece

This panoramic photograph of Athens was taken by James Blakeway. Athens is the capital and largest city of Greece and host city to the 2004 Summer Olympics. The fortification centered in this photograph is the Acropolis. Atop the Acropolis is the Parthenon, chief temple of the goddess Athena built between 447 and 432 B.C. and considered a supreme example of Doric architecture. Behind the Parthenon is Mount Lycabettos, the highest hill of Athens. The brightly lit structure to the lower left is the Theater of Herod Atticus, built by the Romans in 160 A.D.. Various performances still take place in this ancient amphitheater today.