This remarkable stereoscopic photograph, taken around 1907 in Athens, captures a striking contrast between the enduring monuments of Ancient Greece and the everyday life of the early 20th century.
The image is taken from the slopes of Philopappos Hill, looking northeast toward the heart of Athens.
In the foreground, two shepherds stand watch over a flock of thick-fleeced sheep, grazing among the dusty ruins and rocks. Their presence here—where farming and herding were once common sights even near the city centre—emphasizes the rural character that still defined much of Athens at the time.
Dominating the middle ground is the magnificent Acropolis, its slopes appearing rugged and undeveloped, with the Parthenon clearly visible on its summit. Beyond the Acropolis, on the upper right, rises the cone of Lycabettus Hill.
Many of the hills surrounding the urban core, like Philopappos and parts of Lycabettus, served as common grazing land for local flocks.
These shepherds, often semi-nomadic or seasonal migrants from mountain villages, brought their animals close to the city during specific times of the year.
This practice helped maintain a vital supply of fresh meat, milk, and wool for the growing population, illustrating the close, direct relationship between the urban center and its immediate rural periphery that had persisted for centuries.
The scene beautifully illustrates a moment of transition: the ancient stones of civilization enduring while the landscape is still shaped by traditional, pastoral life.
Related: September 18, 1834: Athens Becomes the Capital of Greece
