Located on the southeastern tip of Attica, Cape Sounion is 65 km south-east of Athens, Sounion juts out in a manner that would have assured Athenian sailors a grand view of the Temple of Poseidon as the last evidence of their civilization when sailing off and the first sight that greeted them when they returned. It certainly would have been a magnificent thing to see in the dawn light.

This spot was also used by citizens of ancient Athens to spot approaching ships from a long distance off.

They could then travel back to Athens and let people know of who or what was coming well before it arrived. People could also use this site to watch ships after they left Athens, for example war ships going off on a campaign.

The Temple of Poseidon would have been an appropriate place for sacrifices in order to ask the god of the sea to provide a safe journey for those leaving. Athena was the patron god of Athens, so her temple would have been an appropriate place to make sacrifices to ask her for her protection for any undertaking being made on behalf of Athens.