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When Roman territory was divided between East and West in AD 395, Greece fell within the east, and subsequently became part of the Byzantine Empire. The pagan philosophical schools were closed and many temples were rebuilt as churches.

Byzantine art was almost completely focused on depicting Christian images. Rich, colourful mosaics, frescoes, icons and religious objects were made with valuable materials, especially gold, and intricate, skilfully crafted methods, which conveyed the wealth of the empire.

Ladies who lunch and writer-types fill this bright, trendy café for light lunches and, later, the tables outside for wine and cocktails.

While away Sunday afternoons overlooking the Mona-stiraki market in this hidden belle époque gem. French and Arab food and music.

With comfy wicker chairs in a garden overlooking the boats at Pasalimani, stop here for a morning coffee, an afternoon ice cream, a pre-dinner cocktail or a Greek brandy nightcap.

The top of a column. There are three main Greek forms: Doric, a simple slab; Ionic, a carved scroll; and Corinthian, an acanthus-leaf pattern.

Sculptures of women that acted as columns. The most famous are at the Erechtheion at the Acropolis.

Though now mostly dry, this spring was where pilgrims cleansed themselves before entering the holy site. You can still see the elaborate fountain-house built around it.

Invented by Dionysius the Elder of Syracuse (430–367 BC), the catapult can hurl heavy objects or shoot arrows over large distances. Having seized power in Sicily, Dionysius set about driving out the Carthaginians, who ruled a large part of the island. Thanks in part to the catapult, he was successful, making Syracuse the strongest power in Greek Italy. The Romans later perfected his invention, adding wheels to catapults to make them mobile.