This remarkable stereoscopic photograph from around 1907 with a background of the Acropolis in Athens, captures the 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 center—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, one can see Lycabettus Hill.
Many of the hills, such as Philopappos and parts of Lycabettus, surrounding the urban core served as common grazing land for local flocks. These shepherds, often semi-nomadic or seasonal migrants from mountain villages, brought their livestock further into the city at specific times of the year.
The 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 portrays 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
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