Parthenon-Nashville, TN

After visiting Mammoth Cave National Park, we headed down into Tennessee for our third surprise on Alyssa's Birthday Trip. It is only a short hour and a half drive down into Nashville, TN. 

Alyssa loves mythology and studies it quite regularly. She has memorized almost all of the gods and goddesses of both Greek and Roman mythology. Whenever she hears a reference to or sees a book written about the gods she can't help but be drawn to it. We knew that she would just rattle away all of the facts she has bottled up on the topic of Greek Mythology once we took her to the next surprise destination: Nashville's replica of the Parthenon. The Parthenon is located inside the beautiful urban Centennial Park which is only a few miles east of downtown Nashville, Tennessee. 

You enter the Parthenon through the base of the building and then walk up stairs to get into the naos (sanctuary) of the temple where the statue of Athena stands. As you turn the corner of the stairs you are struck with the incredible height of the cella (central structure of the building) and Athena. Both the Parthenon and the statue of Athena are full-size replicas of the original Parthenon located in Athens, Greece. 

Alyssa was stoked to be there! The facts just started pouring out of her mouth as soon as we stepped inside the great hall. She's helping me post the facts about the Parthenon and all the Greek gods and goddesses represented there. Alyssa has more information to give than we can possibly fit here today! She just loves being asked to talk about Greek mythology and is happily talking my ear off as I type.

There is a massive door at the other end of the naos across from Athena. Isn't the detailing beautiful! Love the photo below. I took it as I knelt next to the door and snapped the view looking toward the ceiling.

Athena, the goddess of wisdom and war, is the daughter of Zeus (the god of sky and thunder, "Father of the Gods and men") and Metis (the goddess of wise counsel and planning) . There was a torrid affair between Zeus and Metis. Zeus swallowed Metis in order to prevent the birth of a son prophesied to overthrown Zeus. Unbeknownst to him Metis had already conceived Athena. One day Zeus was inflicted with a terrible headache. He asked Hephaestus (the god of fire, smithery and metalworking) to cut his head with an ax in order to relieve his pain. As soon as his skull was split in two Athena emerged fully grown and clad in armor. Instead of a baby's cry she let out a fierce battle cry!

The snake represents the mythical origins of Athens. It is a representation of Ericthonius, son of Gaia (the goddess or personification of the Earth) and Hephaestus (the god of fire, smithery and metalworking). Ericthonius was half-man and half-snake. He was raised by Athena as her own son. Athena placed him inside a box and gave the box to King Cecrops' three daughters for safe keeping. They were instructed not to open the box. Of course, like many characters of mythology, they were foolish and didn't listen! As they viewed his monstrous form, they were driven mad and jumped off the Acropolis. The snake being earth bound represents the people of Athens. Lovingly Athena protects the snake, like the people of Athens, with her own shield. 

Athena is the perfect embodiment of Athens. She is both the combination of male/female and strength/beauty. She was considered the protector and champion of Athens. Athena helped many Greek heroes like Odysseus, Jason, Hercules and Perseus. The city of Athens was named after her and the Parthenon was built to honor this virgin, patron goddess of Athens.

In Athena's hand is Nike (the goddess of victory) which presents a laurel wreath of victory unto Athena commemorating the Greeks victory over the Persians. On Athena's helmet there are three crests: a Sphinx in the center and two Pegasus. The ear flaps with Griffins upon them are up symbolizing that the goddess is at rest from battle. She wears the breastplate Zeus gave her as a protector and in the center she placed the head of Medusa, who was beheaded by Perseus. (Think Clash of the Titans, especially the 1981 film. We are watching it while I finish this blog post. It is a favorite movie of mine and brings back so many childhood memories.)

The exterior of her shield portrays the battle with the amazons. In the center of the shield is another image of Medusa's head given by Perseus as an offering to Athena for helping him defeat the monster. The interior of the shield portrays the battle with the giants.

Along the sides the naos (sanctuary) of the Parthenon are replicas of the remnants of sculpture that once stood upon the east and west pediments (the triangular area at the ends of the building facing east and west with a pitched roof). These replicas were created using plaster casts of the original pedimental sculptures.

Demeter and Persephone, East Pediment

Iris, West Pediment

Helios' steeds, East Pediment

Dionysos, East Pediment

Hestia, Dione & Aphrodite, East Pediment

Behind the naos (sanctuary) is another much smaller room that has small scale sculptures of the pediments. This is what the west pediment looks like. (Forgot to take a photo of it outside.) It depicts the contest between Athena and Poseidon (the god of the sea) for the patronage of Athens. From left to right: Cecrops, Pandrossos, Herse with Erysicthon, Aglauros, Ericthonius, Hermes, Athena, Poseidon, Iris, Amphitrite, Kalais, Oreithyia, Zetes, Melicretes, Ino, Thalassa.

Delaney was loving these lion heads. She just had to touch it!

Alyssa loved the Parthenon and it was a neat seeing her completely in her element. The kids and I went outside to wait for Hotch while he bought books and postcards. He knows me so well and prepares for our routine. No visit anywhere is complete without book and postcard purchases!

While we waited she rattled off all the Greek gods and goddesses upon the east pediment, in order and along with their background stories. It was quite impressive! The east pediment depicts the moment of Athena's birth. From left to right: Helios and his horses, Dionysos, Demeter, Persephone, Iris, Poseidon with Hebe at his feet, Aphrodite, Hephaestos, Zeus, Nike, Athena, Ares, Artemis, Hera, Hermes, Apollo, Ganymede, Hestia, Dione, Aphrodite, Selene and her horses.

It doesn't cost very much to go inside the Parthenon, but mind you it is incredibly warm upstairs in the naos. There is no air conditioning so take that into consideration when you decide to visit. We were drenched in sweat by the time we left the Parthenon. Never was I so grateful to be outside and to sit in the shade of a tree. Look at that cute family just chillin on the grass! They make traveling a blast!

Hotch mentioned to me on our drive how he wanted to devastate Alyssa on this trip like my dad loves to do to me. He then recounted the time we were all at Balboa Park (back in 2007) when my dad turned to Hotch and said with a twinkle in his eye, "Watch this!" My dad then proceeded to get down on all fours and started barking at me like a dog. I was mortified and started walking away as he crawled after me barking away. (My dad, whom I adore ever so much, loves to tease, tickle and embarrass me even now that I am a woman, wife and mother. Nice to know that no matter how old I get I will always be his little girl!)

Hotch found the perfect chance to embarrass Alyssa, his little girl, by acting like a chicken. He looked over at me, with that devious sparkle in his eye, and said "Watch this!" He then proceeded to cluck and flap his wings as he strutted over to her while she sat chatting with me. It was so classic! He did a superb job at embarrassing her in public. She kept saying, "Dad stop! You are so immature." One day she will look back on this memory and smile!

We parked by this train when we arrived in Centennial Park. I promised the little ones we would check it out when we came back to the car. They didn't forget and ensured I followed through. I think this train was the highlight of their day. Both of them immediately went over to climb up on it. They checked out the whole train and loved getting to walk all around it. Braxton really wanted to try to climb inside of it. He kept telling me where the best pictures would be if he was allowed to sit inside it. Nice try kid!

Who would have thought that a roller-skate car would complete our day!