The Acropolis Museum

 The Acropolis Museum…I could have spent all day taking it all in. We were there in New Years Eve and they were closing early, but we made the most of it. I was fascinated by one of the very first exhibits on marriage. 

Marriage was one of the most important social institutions in early Athens. It’s main purpose was to ensure legal offspring. So girls were married off at a young age, often to men who were much older, chosen by their guardians. The wedding would take place during a full moon in the month of Gamelion (January/February). And the celebration would last for 3 days.

The day before the wedding the brides father would make a sacrifice to the God’s. The brides girlfriends would bring water carried in a loutrophoria, which was believed to promote fertility. They came in a procession led by a small boy playing a flute to bring good fortune to the couple. 

On the day of the wedding the homes were decorated with wreaths of Myrtle leaves. The ladies of the house dressed the bride. The brides father hosted a feast at which the bride would first appear with her face covered by a veil. 

After the meal the veil was lifted to signify the passing of the custody of the bride from her father to her husband. At dusk the groom would escort his bride to his house accompanied by all the guests. Then the groom would receive the dowry from the father of the bride. 

I found it all very interesting. There were more details but the best part was seeing the story unfold in the pottery.

There were so many ancient plaques and statues on display in the museum. The original bust of Athena from the Temple of Athena was on display. One of the most amazing parts was the original remaining pieces, the Gods and the animals, from the original Agora at the Parthenon. The girls and I got a kick out of all the tiles displaying the battles between the Lapiths and the Centaurs. We had to look up what a Lapith was after we left. Lapiths were citizens from Northern Greece that battles Centaurs. It was quite a learning experience.