2-369-736 - Samuel Magal/Sites & Photos/Heritage Images

The Treasury of Athens, Delphi, Greece. The Athenian Treasury is the only building at Delphi to have been reconstructed (except for its roof). Not only the votives found inside, but the building itself stands as official Athenian thanks to the Oracle after their victory at Marathon in 490 BC. The political nature of this game is apparent here: although the Athenians were not favoured by the oracle, they nevertheless established this shrine in a show of gratitude and paid for it with the spoils from their successful rout of the Persians.