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Geometric art emerged from a dark age with vases painted with angular designs, and abstract, triangular-rectilinear human forms. The greatest of these is the giant 8th-century BC funerary vase in the National Archaeological Museum, where you can also see the first “Greek key” pattern.

Greece’s first Nobel Laureate was born in Smyrna, which was later claimed by Turkey, and his lyrical poetry is inspired by history and feelings of exile. His work also relates Greece’s Classical past to its raw present, as in Mythistorema , a series of poems that draw from The Odyssey .

Here, a wealthy, overdeveloped beach-resort and flashy night-life vibe prevails. There are plenty of designer shops and expensive cafés to sit in while sporting new purchases by day, and trendy summer clubs to dance in by night.

The 6th and 5th centuries BC saw the city-state develop into a colonial power. Under Perikles (495–429 BC) Athens enjoyed its greatest period of building, when the Parthenon, Erechtheion and Temple of Nike were erected. Cultural and intellectual life flourished until Sparta’s defeat of Athens in the Peloponnesian War (431–404 BC).

This complicated building hosted the pentathalon. It includes a 2,000-seat area for swimming, two 5,000-seat areas for riding and running and one 4,500-seat area for fencing and shooting. A temporary 5,000-seat area will also hosted badminton.

This vast resort complex spreads out over its own peninsula between Sounio and Vouliagmeni. It encompasses 16 beaches, with a range of seafront suites and lavish villas with their own pools. There is also a host of restaurants and a variety of organized activities.

Besides all the mod cons you’d expect following a total overhaul, this branch of the Grecotel chain is set on a verdant hillside, with spectacular views of the sea and Temple of Poseidon.

Thick, sweet, pungent mud of strong, black coffee. Ask for an elliniko metrio .

This was the secret weapon of the Byzantine Empire, used against enemy ships. Greek Fire was a highly flammable, jelly-like substance, which was blasted through bronze tubes mounted on the prows of Byzantine galleys, and could not be extinguished by water. It was first employed to repel an Arab fleet attacking Constantinople in 673, and then successfully used in combat until the Empire’s fall in 1453. To this day scientists are unsure of its exact formula but think that it probably consisted of liquid petroleum, sulphur, naphtha and quicklime.

After the golden age of Athenian drama, Greece’s performing arts stagnated. However, during the Turkish occupation, Greeks drew on an Eastern tradition of shadow puppet theatre. The stylized, colourful spectacles were satirical and bawdy, the main character (the fool Karaghiozis) joking at the expense of his Turkish masters.