Ancient Athens Explained

Join me on this tour through Ancient Athens and discover the architecture and urban design of the city that laid the foundations of Western civilization.
Subtitles available in several languages.
Mira el vídeo en español: • Antigua Atenas explicada
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Watch my video explaining the Parthenon: • The Acropolis of Athen...
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Panathenaic Way: 00:00
Walls and Piraeus: 1:21
The Agora: 2:15
Roman Agora: 6:54
Tower of the Winds: 7:43
Library of Hadrian: 8:45
Temple of Olympian Zeus: 9:10
Slopes of the Acropolis: 9:47
Panathenaic Stadium: 10:30
The Acropolis: 11:38
Hills of Athens: 14:11
Legacy of Athens: 14:46

[@ManuelBravo]

What is your favorite building of Ancient Greece?

[@antoniousai1989]

Herodeion. Mostly because it is the only one still used today, and has impressive acoustics. I've see a couple of shows there

[@davidquak4398]

You did die when you were 32.

[@user-iu4mu3bv5v]

I have been fascinated by images of the Erechtheion since I was a child and was thrilled to finally see it in person recently.

[@vanmars5718]

The Mycenaean tombs, The Minoan palaces, the Parthenon, the sanctuary of Asclepius in Kos, the temple of Apollo at Delphi, the treasury of the Sifnians at Delphi

[@ddlcddlc2824]

Cause people got corrupted

[@gadflyeye]

I’m a Greek and native speaker of Greek. I must say, your pronunciation of Greek words and proper names is *impeccable.* Congratulations for the videos you make.

[@dionysise5008]

As a Greek, raised in Athens, this is the best and most complete work I've ever seen. It was simple and informative. In fact there was stuff I didn't know myself. 💯

[@donaquinilator4959]

Man what a heritage you have, cheers 🇬🇷

[@athanasiosbairlis5563]

@@donaquinilator4959 indreed.."heavy load" to curry.

[@dimitriosvlissides5781]

​πραγματι βαρυς ο φόρτος της κληρονομίας.....

[@athanasiosbairlis5563]

As a tourguide in Athens the last 25 years...all I can say is: EXCELLENT work Manuel. Best ever seen in the web. THANK YOU. My favorite building is the Erechteion -Caryatides. (b.w.t., my wife is also architect) THANK YOU. Thanos Bairlis

[@saltA-saurus]

Damn your name is Thanos? That's cool.

[@athanasiosbairlis5563]

@@saltA-saurus Name is Athanasios...("Christian-Byzantine" Greek name) shortened call-name: "Thanos" to friends.

[@harriehausenman8623]

what a beautiful comment!

[@peterweicker77]

The Romans viewed space as a thing to be enclosed. Controlled. The Athenians saw it as a limitless path for themselves.

[@NeilEvans-xq8ik]

Have you read David Deutsch's work, 'The Beginning of Infinity'? He explains the ancient Athenians in ways reminiscent of what you have said here.

[@peterweicker77]

@@NeilEvans-xq8ik Thank you. I hadn't heard of it but it's on my list, now. The more I learn about the Athenians the more I'm convinced that they were the most confident, expansive and enterprising culture in history. They made colossal mistakes and committed terrible crimes, but they couldn't know what we know now. They had no examples to learn from. Athens was older than the pyramids are today when they learned how true democracy unlocks human potential. We're the real frontier.

[@NeilEvans-xq8ik]

@peterweicker77 Going by what you have said here, I strongly suspect that you will absolutely love David Deutsch. He speaks of Athens in almost the exact same way as you have. The bulk of his work discusses the effects of their culture on ours and on the great future that potentially lays before us, given that we stay ahead of our equivalents of the Spartans by making our mistakes as fast as we can.

[@GAMER123GAMING]

@@peterweicker77 >le democracy is like... ancient greek or something Nice disinfo pal

[@odairfleckerpalmerin9745]

The Universities in the world claim talented teachers like you!!! But thanks God for sharing your trips with us!

[@RPull]

Athens is my favorite city in the world. I have felt connected to it in more ways than I have felt about any other place.

[@LawyerPapa]

I love your enthusiasm. When I was going to school, I used to get a Greek lunch. If I asked, "can I have a gyro, please?" The seller would yell at me, "Yeero!" That old man was so proud of his Greek heritage, he'd correct anybody's pronunciation. (Of course, I ordered "yeero" after that.) I wanted to visit Greece someday, but sadly I haven't been yet. One of these days...

[@Nickerer]

This dude makes the best architectural and historical videos

[@fr0stlegend712]

Hello from Athens ty for this Amazing video :D

[@wolpumba4099]

*Summary* Section 1: The Classical Period and the Panathenaic Procession - 0:00: The Classical Period of Ancient Greece was marked by the annual Panathenaic procession, a major civic event in Athens. - 0:11: The procession took place along a marked route (the Panathenaic Way) extending from the main city gate, across Athens, up to the Acropolis. - 0:31: Every four years, the procession would culminate inside the Parthenon, offering a larger and more elaborate tunic to the statue of Athena Parthenos. - 0:43: The Panathenaic Way served as the sacred way and the main street, hosting principal mercantile, industrial, and political activities. Section 2: The Architecture and Infrastructure of Athens - 1:23: Athens was surrounded by a 10-meter-high wall with 13 gates, one of which led to the harbor town of Piraeus. - 1:45: Around 456 BC, Pericles built the 'Long Walls' linking Athens and Piraeus, ensuring access between the two in times of war. - 2:06: All roads connecting Athens to the rest of Greece started at the Dipylon Gate, outside of which was the city's ancient cemetery. Section 3: The Agora and its Structures - 2:20: The Agora was the center of commerce, government, and culture in Athens, featuring large open spaces surrounded by public buildings. - 2:43: Stoas, long linear buildings open to the public, housed shops and provided space for people to meet, talk, and exchange ideas. - 3:10: The Stoa of Attalos was a two-story building made of limestone and Pentelic marble, reconstructed in the 20th century. - 4:02: The Temple of Hephaistos, dedicated to the god of fire and metallurgy and to Athena, stood on a hill on the western side of the Agora. - 4:19: The temple provided the most complete example of the perfected Doric hexastyle form and reflected the architectural style of the Parthenon. - 5:13: At the base of the hill stood the Tholos, the Bouleuterion, and the Metroon, which along with the Stoa of Zeus established a vertical axis in the Agora. - 5:54: Over time, the Agora changed and became increasingly cluttered by statues, fountains, and shrines. Section 4: The Roman Influence and Expansion - 7:10: As Athens expanded during the Pax Romana, a new space known as the Roman Agora was added to house commercial activities. - 7:47: The Tower of the Winds, also known as the Horologion of Andronikos Kyrrhos, was built in the 2nd century BC to measure time. - 8:55: Emperor Hadrian built an extensive new library in 132 AD north of the Roman Agora. - 9:13: Hadrian also completed the enormous temple of Olympian Zeus, one of the largest Greek temples in antiquity. Section 5: The Evolution of Athenian Theatres and Stadiums - 9:50: The Odeon of Herodes Atticus, a roofed theatre for musical performances, was constructed in 161 AD at the south-western corner of the Acropolis. - 10:13: The Theater of Dionysos, one of the largest and oldest theaters of Greek antiquity, was where plays by great Athenian dramatists were produced. - 10:33: The Stadium, originally made in the fourth century BC for the Panathenaic Games, was rebuilt by Herodes Atticus in 144 AD. Section 6: The Acropolis and Its Significance - 11:57: The Acropolis was the citadel upon which the principal temples or treasure-houses were erected for safety. - 12:28: The layout of the Acropolis was based on human cognition, with buildings disposed to incorporate or accentuate features of the existing landscape. - 14:11: There were some important hills within the city walls of Athens, like the Areopagus and the Pnyx. Section 7: The Historical Legacy of Athens - 14:51: Athens has experienced various periods throughout history, including Classical Greek antiquity, Roman antiquity, the Byzantine Empire, and the Islamic period. - 15:20: The Parthenon stands atop the Acropolis as a symbol of architectural prowess and the enduring legacy of Athens. - 16:07: The peak of ancient Greek architecture was the Parthenon, an understanding of which is crucial to understanding the rest of the buildings on the Acropolis. Section 8: Conclusion - 16:13: The video concludes by thanking the viewers for watching and encouraging them to like and subscribe to the channel. *Glossary* Stoa: In ancient Greek architecture, a stoa is a covered walkway or portico, often built in a long, linear design with one or more rows of columns. It was used for various activities such as commerce or social gatherings. Attalos: Refers to Attalos II, a King of Pergamon in the 2nd century BC, who is known for building the Stoa of Attalos in Athens. Hephaistos: Also known as Hephaestus, he is the Greek god of fire, metalworking, stone masonry, forges, and the art of sculpture. Doric: One of the three orders of ancient Greek architecture, the Doric order is characterized by heavy columns with fluted shafts, plain, saucer-shaped capitals, and no base. Hexastyle: Refers to a classical building façade featuring six columns. The term is often associated with Greek Temples where it is most commonly used. Pax Romana: Latin for "Roman Peace," it refers to the period of stability and relative peace across the Roman Empire, which lasted for about 200 years from the reign of Augustus (27 BC) to Marcus Aurelius (180 AD). Odeon: A type of building in Ancient Greece and Rome, which was designed for musical performances, public speeches, and poetry readings. It is typically a smaller and roofed version of the open-air theater design.

[@Budisgud69]

This stinks of Ai. 🤢

[@Art_Music_and_Ideas]

You are among the world's finest scholars and teachers!

[@yewtoob2007]

Humane geometry, fascinating.

[@user-iu4mu3bv5v]

Thank you so much. I just visited Athens for the first time recently and saw most of the ancient sites you mention, but your commentary was very interesting. I only wish I’d watched it BEFORE I went to Athens! Thanks again!

[@mmjj7685]

I really love Greek history!

[@ELMS]

That was terrific, Manuel. There isn’t any other place on KZbin where I can get this information and these recreations. Thank you.

[@johnphillips4708]

the ending hit as hard as an ending of fall of civ imo. 10/10

[@JeaNz0r]

As a Greek im very surprised , i barely knew anything mentioned in this video! Maybe because i didn't liked history back in school.. I had to grow up to appreciate my country and learn the history!

[@ritacarmona7563]

I have to follow this thought. I am portuguese and it is amazing that the important things of our History were destroyed, some of them forever. I hope this bad habit stops. South Europe needs to be recovered. Western Civilization cannot be understood without the complete history of the Mediterranian sea.

[@ritacarmona7563]

Athens explained. Thank you, Manuel Bravo. Wonderful film.

[@RJJJ7]

Another brilliant video

[@omegaroyal]

I seriously love your videos. So much work must go into them and it shows. Giving me wonderlust.

[@jessielopez1065]

Fascinating video! An excellent primer on ancient Athens. Thanks so much for posting.

[@josephj6521]

Fantastic video. I look forward even more to visiting Athens soon.

[@gilbertoquinonez1974]

Awesome content keep it coming 💯💯

[@frankdunbar4140]

I always enjoy your videos, I wish I could actually join you on your tours.

[@phacimo2781]

My favorite part of visiting Athens was going to the Pnyx, its crazy to think how many decisions, speeches and ideas took place there and spread out to form the foundations of western civilisation and thought, now its just a flat open area that 99% of tourists overlook

[@lordcerapis]

that stands for many Greeks too,unfortunately

[@BedeLaplume]

​ Really interesting.. I shared your video on an ancient Greek study Fb page..

[@laganrae7321]

Beautifully presented.. Keep up the good work Manuel :)

[@peternorris3286]

Brilliant and informative, I am 61years old and learnt about the acropoliis from my teacher when in primary school, always wanted to go and 2 years ago finally made it have to admit when I saw the parthenon for the first time I shed a tear and loved Athens so much came back last year to see it all again, people were lovely and fell in love with Athens will definitely return soon

[@MilutinMujovic]

I've visited Athens a few months ago, and was amazed of how beautiful it was. You did an outstanding job of highlighting so many great things it has to offer!

[@tannertasman]

love every one of your videos. thanks for all the work

[@user-eo7is1wh4l]

Fabulous, keep up the good work!

[@UGTLDG]

Great work! Absolutely great in every aspect!

[@casperghost1467]

This is starting to be my fav channel

[@donnamottershead491]

Fan video! Thank you 😊

[@mariaelenasainzgonzalez124]

Congratulations Manuel !!!! Great video and great content

[@cratecruncher4974]

This was well crafted content. Just the right length and depth. The panoramic shots were beautiful. Subscribed!

[@DaandRu_design_illustration]

Great video❤💯, thank you so much🙏🙏

[@makispapa5867]

Your Greek accent when pronouncing names is on point, nice video too.

[@ArcAudios77]

Manuel, excellent work here - was an education in good detail for 16mins. Thanks for your work. Best wishes for you & your Channel here, I'll take in more as it is appreciated. Regards

[@ryanthoms]

Awesome work on this! I agree with the comment that referred to this as the most complete work they’ve seen on the web, the combination of old maps, 3D rendering and actual footage makes it incredibly easy to follow. Plus the combo is a nice treat for my adhd brain, really helped me visualize what it might’ve been like back then 😊 thank you for making this!

[@harriehausenman8623]

yeah, the production quality is insanely good and exactly as you describe for me too: the various ways to present "the past" help me tremendously building a better mental picture.

[@vanmars5718]

I just discover your channel and I wait to explore your videos. This one with Athens is absolutely amazing!!! You did an amazing job, soo interesting and very informative. Thank you so much Manuel!

[@user-fc7is6jo2e]

Outstanding Work! Thank you for making and sharing this.

[@WillN2Go1]

Terrific video. Really appreciate it. Really makes me want to go there as soon as I can. The invention of an enduring human idea captured in crumbling stone. Ideas are more durable than rock.

[@johnmcnulty4425]

Great content and visuals. I'm so glad that I got to visit Athens many years ago and now I understand a lot more. Thank you!

[@taki2003]

so well done!! Thank you for your detailed explanations

[@user-gd4ep4qw3j]

Εξαιρετικός. Ακόμα και σε κάποιον που ξέρει αρκετά, αποκαλυψες νέα στοιχεία, όπως η γωνία θέασης από το πρόπυλον. Ευχαριστούμε.

[@gregedmand9939]

As a grandson of a Greek immigrant to Canada, I will have to confess far too much ignorance of this period of architecture. Although Grandpa came from the Macedonian region I have never been able to visit. Thanks for this very informative and concise tour of Athens.

[@Evan490BC]

Hi there, Greg, British-Greek here. You must organise a pilgrimage to Athens once in your life!

[@sergeplace]

Your channel and all your videos are fantastic :) You make an amazing work 🙌 Thank you for making us travelling with you :)

[@mariettamollolucic4512]

Mientras espero, dejo mi like. 👍 Estoy segura que, como todos los videos de este canal, será excelente. Muchas gracias Manuel.

[@WilliamRP263]

Marvelous work. I enjoyed how fluid and almost self explanatory the images are.

[@NomeDeArte]

Estoy escribiendo una novela ubicada en el 415 a.c. sobre una canéfora. Imaginate que te puedo dibujar la acrópolis con los ojos cerrados, más o menos jajaja, pero SIEMPRE me llevo algo de tus videos. Lo que mostás acá, es una locura. Mi novia es Arquitecta y lo que mostraste en 12:05 nos partió la cabeza, para mí era un hermoso desorden la disposición de los edificios en la acrópolis, verlo así fue increíble. Gracias por siempre hacer tus vides en español, con subtitulos y demás. Los mejores deseos desde Argentina!

[@oglambo]

Thank you so much for this, like, I might not have ever known I wanted a video quite like this until i was halfway through watching. I can’t tell you how happy I am to be alive in a time of what I almost want to describe as “Gonzo Archaeology” from creators like you, Milo Rossi, etc.; just young people with a passion for history and anthropology creating content out of a love for the discipline(s). Truly chef’s kiss.

[@harriehausenman8623]

"Gonzo Archaeology" 😄 I like it. Milo is awesome (good luck to him on it's bike tour). Such amazing times.

[@tiramisudelimon5570]

El último año estuve viviendo en Atenas y me encanta ver los sitios que explicas, me imagino los lugares que visité hoy en día. Anduve mil veces el camino desde el metro de Thiseio a la Acrópolis sin saber que alrededor existía una ruta tan antigua, que maravilla.

[@GothPaoki]

Great presentation of the city and very informative.

[@David-rt8bj]

Como siempre, excelso trabajo! Felicitaciones Manuel!

[@idl9ave419]

Wonderful - I always look forward to your videos.

[@titnesovic4522]

Fantastic video 🙂 Thank you for your work!

[@fernangreigosa4580]

Excellent video. Great information and not one flaw. Congratulations and thank you.

[@josephpiskac2781]

Thanks always for educating us. Happy Blessed Holidays!

[@jamesolivier5224]

Such a fantastic video. I really appreciate your architectural point of view. It's fascinating to get a new perspective from someone who really knows the city and its history.

[@georgekokkos5347]

Fantastic work, Manuel! Bravo!!

[@mm-tu4dd]

Your content is incredible

[@chrisumney1566]

Excellent video Manuel, thank you!

[@3118300]

Congratulations, excellent work!

[@FhCasberg]

Thank you! An excellent representation, now I have so much better understanding of the subject

[@PavUnq]

Amazing work. Thank you

[@nathperera8427]

Manual. It is simply Brilliant,,, both in content and presentation.

[@user-op1tp3ox4l]

well done-!!! you seem to absolutely love Greece- excellent video filled with elaborate details-thank you for your work!!!

[@christoskaradonis]

Fantastic video! Well done!

[@ioanniskomitas6196]

The continuity of the language and meaning is unique. Words like βουλευτηριον, μητρωο, αγορα have been preserved in millennia. For a modern Greek to wonder these amazing places and read the inscriptions really creates a ripple across time. Remember Greeks were writing about everything; you can read anything from court defence arguments to peace treaties and commercial deals in what is almost today’s language and scripture.

[@PepijnLinden]

I visited Athens just a month ago and while seeing all these beautiful places I couldn't stop thinking I wished I could read any of the inscriptions and wondered how amazing it must be for Greeks and others who can read it to be so close to all these thoughts and discussions that were recorded so long ago.

[@veriara]

Wow, incredible documentary. Thank you.

[@Alun49]

Excellent presenttion! I wish this had been available a few years ago when I visited Athens as it gives a really informative overview.

[@gastonalvareztrentini6450]

Hermoso video! Lo pause como 100 veces para apreciar el excelente trabajo de reconstrucción que hiciste. Gracias a dios visité 5 veces Atenas y aprecio mucho este tipo de material

[@hssrz7564]

Great job!

[@assassinscreedguy1453]

Great video about Ancient Athens as a city! Maybe even the best!

[@msrjorge1805]

Bravo Manuel👏👏👏. Excelente, como siempre, tu exposición sobre la ciudad de Atenas. Es una maravilla de ciudad, he tenido el privilegio de visitarla en dos ocasiones y volvería 100 veces más. Como mencionas al final del vídeo es caminar sobre la historia de grandes ilustres, una maravilla 🥰

[@Ethan-42]

Such a great video

[@axelsandi]

absolutely brilliant

[@keenant]

Awesome work!

[@pedrovitsch]

I have never been to Athens, but I learned about the old legends and stories of the past. Now I have learned something completely new about the history of Athens! Well done! Thank you very much for this great introduction!

[@christosmourouzidis9420]

Please add both Kerameikos locations if possible, not only the "outer" which was also one of the first cemeteries, but also the "inner". This reconstruction is just awesome. Thanks a lot for your efforts!

[@MarcoSilesio]

such a great video

[@MiguelAngelLopezArias]

Excelente video.

[@jrou58]

Aquí te has superado. Es de lo mejor, o lo mejor, que he visto sobre Atenas o sobre cualquier ciudad griega antigua. Le he dado a "like" cuando apenas llevaba unos segundos. Normalmente lo hago al final. Gracias.

[@deanlemckeevans]

Great video I plan to go to Greece in June this definitely will help

[@cbtora]

Waiting 🙏

[@user-gs7fc4ud8t]

Gracias por hacer este video de toda la ciudad completa,porque he visto que otros solo se enfocan en el area de la Acrópolis y no hablan de los demás edificios que tambien son interesantes,siempre me pregunté como eran todos los otros edificios que formaban parte de Atenas. Excelente video. Saludos!

[@dr.karelis2198]

the best ...well done

[@albertolorite8422]

Muy buen trabajo Manuel. Gracias!! Subirás el video en español???

[@malelemonade5979]

Incredible work of art. Thank you for teaching us. May I ask what music you used? It fits the grand proud and somber echoes of the Ancients so well. Thank you Manuel ♥♥

[@Qigate]

I enjoy your channel and the places you take us. Manuel, a question: if there was one city or place in history that you could see at its zenith, what would it be?

[@rtb2444]

Tenochtitlan

[@jakobgib]

The music at 6:30 is so beautiful

[@joninsight4522]

Great video :)

[@ovaaaaaL]

Never thought much about Ancient Athens' build up 'till now. The only fact I knew about the city's foundation was that walled corridor towards the port. It's really interesting how Athens prioritized building from the human pov. Although much cannot be applied to modern cities in terms of scale, we can still use the principle of using the human element as a guide point in the way we design cities now. Would be lovely to see a modern city that's compact yet incorporates wide open view to clear out our minds.

[@shellminator]

Have you seen the Athens depictions of the game Assassin Creed Odissey ? What do you think about it? Great video!

[@ManuelBravo]

I've seen them. They look great, but the architecture is pretty inaccurate.

[@shellminator]

@@ManuelBravo ohh ok.. but it does look awesome. They for sure employed historians like yourself but I think they should try and make it as accurate as possible. Love your videos! Keep it up

[@santos738]

MANUEL !!!! BRAVO !!! BRAVO !!!!

[@Chris10095]

Amazing video of my city. The way they thoughtfully build everything is amazing. Wish we continued it and didn't have this mess as a city :P

[@pascaleroy4458]

very interesting Thank you

[@user-wd8mn8sf1j]

Excellent survey! This provides the context missing from the Western Educational focus on the Acropolis & Parthenon.

[@alphonsobutlakiv789]

I've noticed my building was built with similar ideas as these temples, when viewed from what I understand to be point of past property division, what was a massive brick structure becomes see threw as the windows aline radially, and there are many points this happens, and the other building lines up too, and just to a sliver so only an arrow could ever travel the path, house across the street was relocated at the time of all this work, and I think it was all a skilled yet silent work of supper positioning for the human eye. Understanding this, I try to build with this in mind. A few Greek style temples are not only planned for the place, but like the park that is an expression of its geometric plot, they are in various stages of construction.