Hammer of Zeus: A flash of lightning illuminates the sky over the 2,500-year-old Ancient Parthenon temple, at the Acropolis hill during a heavy rainfall in Athens early this morning

It looks like a narrow escape for one of mankind's most ancient symbols.

A bolt of lightning illuminates the sky around the 2,500-year-old Parthenon temple, high on the Acropolis during a heavy rainfall in Athens early this morning.

Fortunately, the temple is believed to have escaped any damage.

Meanwhile the usually overcast and cool skies over Britain have been startlingly clear, with temperates set to break heat records this week. 

The Parthenon, completed in 432BC, was originally dedicated to the goddess Athena. Its main function was to shelter a statue of the goddess made out of gold and ivory.

In 1656, a lightning strike to a powder keg destroyed structures on the Acropolis - but fortunately spared the Parthenon.