The Terrace of the Lions

While everyone knows the ancient Greeks to be opulent, the Terrace of the Lions is near to what might be considered the ancient world's minimalism art. These growling lions of Delos, carved from white marble, are as stunning today as they must have been in their heyday.

The terrace, dedicated to the sun god by the inhabitants of Naxos, features a row of around 12 lions looking east towards the sacred lake of Delos. Because this is the road to the temples, it's unclear if the lions were there to protect or intimidate the worshipers. Much of this monument is now in ruins, but at its peak, there may have been as many as 16 lions along the sacred road. Only five of the original sculptures exist today, together with fragments of three more. The remaining sculptures are currently housed in a neighboring museum to preserve them from erosion and theft.