The quad-bike ride from the waterfront of the Aegina Island to the Temple of Aphaea in Greece was heavenly. My lungs sucked up the salty sea air, while my eyes feasted on the blue of the gulf and the green of the trees. After the Acropolis, I was sure I’d enjoy Aphaea just as much. But after a slow and serene uphill ride, all I found were pillars, columns and some rubble sitting peacefully amidst trees. No visitors. No guides. No sign of activity.
I found no statues or inscriptions dedicated to Goddess Aphaea. All I knew of her– thanks to travel brochures–was that she’s a fertility deity. Even the ruins were cordoned off. But my disappointment slowly dissipated as my eyes found the blue waters of the Saronic Gulf far below the hill. It was just me, the temple ruins, the trees, the blue waters far away, and the surprisingly gentle rays of the afternoon sun. It felt extremely peaceful.
The Temple of Aphaea is a ruin, with little to show in terms of architecture but plenty to tell in mythical story. The lone guard who let me in narrated Aphaea’s story to me, in broken English and a heavy accent. From what I gathered, this goddess was associated with a nymph named Britomartis, who jumped into the sea to escape Minos, the first King of Crete, who lusted after her. She was caught by some sailors’ fishing net, and taken on board their ship.
However, upon being taken aboard, she was pursued yet again by one of the sailors. Once more, she jumped into the sea and swam her way to the Aegina Island. Upon reaching there, she hid in a grove on the north-eastern part, where the temple ruin stands today. Impressed by Aphaea’s virtue, the Goddess Artemis blessed her with immortality.
Self-preservation and self-protection were clearly themes not only indicated in her myth, but also manifested in her temple.
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