“The Kindness Within” is an inspiring and profound quest to find the meaning of life. Photo provided.
The touching documentary “The Kindness Within”, which follows Greek-American Leon Logothetis’ inspirational journey to mental well-being, garnered top honors at the esteemed Beverly Hills Film Festival (BHFF) Awards Night Gala.
The film received the Golden Palm Award and was recognized as the Best Documentary on Sunday, May 5 at The Hollywood Roosevelt.
The Golden Palm Award is given to the best title in all categories. The BHFF stresses that “The film that wins the Golden Palm is a film that not only reflects mastery of the filmmaking art, but of storytelling and humanity, whether it is fiction or nonfiction in nature. The winner, in short, is the film that grabs us by body and mind, and it never let’s go.”
Affectionately known as the “kindness Guy”, Leon Logothetis inspires transformation through the simple, yet extraordinary power of kindness in his documentary “The Kindness Within”.
Logothetis a keynote speaker, acclaimed author, and TV host is a Greek-American born in the UK.
He previously created the acclaimed The Kindness Diaries on Netflix. He released his new documentary in LA on May 1st, which promises an unforgettable adventure, turning a moment of great despair into an inspiring and profound quest to find the meaning of life, connection, and inner peace.
Exploring universal themes of pain, purpose, kindness, and the search for a direct experience of God or a higher truth, the documentary made its debut at the prestigious Beverly Hills Film Festival on the first day of Mental Health Awareness Month, May 1.
The captivating film follows Logothetis, a five-time bestselling author to India as he embarks on a soul-stirring journey of self-discovery and healing.
The documentary takes you from the banks of the Ganges to serene Himalayan monasteries. Photo provided.
Audiences are transported alongside Logothetis as he immerses himself in diverse practices and philosophies to overcome deep-rooted personal crises and find fulfillment.
From the banks of the Ganges to serene Himalayan monasteries, he encounters spiritual leaders, helpers of humanity, and even the universe itself, guiding him toward a deeper understanding of kindness, love, and purpose.
“This film is about more than just one man’s journey,” says Chris Phillip, Executive Producer. “It’s a reflection of the universal human experience—of seeking, of striving, and ultimately, of finding kindness within ourselves.”
Kindness Guy Logothetis’s doc features voices of wisdom
Featuring voices of wisdom including world-renowned spiritual leader Sadhguru, addiction expert Dr. Gabor Maté, bestselling author Neale Donald Walsch, motivational speaker Yasmin Mogahed, and other luminaries such as Mike Dooley, Kute Blackson, Richard Rohr, SadhviJi, and Inni Kaur, The Kindness Within engages viewers with a tapestry of cultures and ideas as steps to mental freedom.
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“I hope this documentary can offer hope to those who need it most, inspiring them to forge their own path toward inner peace,” Logothetis shares. “Whether you’re seeking inspiration, healing, or simply a deeper understanding of the world around you, there is so much to take away from this film.”
A call to action
The Kindness Within is a call to action for audiences to embrace their own journey of self-discovery, to confront fears, and to peel away the layers of conditioning that obscure our true selves. It is a reminder that love, purpose, and belonging can be found within and through service to each other.
It is a production of Winston Entertainment, directed by Steven Priovolos, and written by Alfa Pagidas and Leon Logothetis. Executive Producers include Chris Philip, Will Allen, and Leon Logothetis.
Produced by Erick Torres and Betsy Chasse, with cinematography by Steven Priovolos, editing by Michael Courtney, and music by Dimiter Yordanov. Starlings Television and Propagate International are distributing the project worldwide.
A huge ship appears to be floating off the coast of Greece. Credit: stonebird. CC BY 2.0/flickr
An enormous freight ship called the Achilleas was seen ‘floating’ off the coast of Greece as the result of a strange optical illusion, while it traveled on the shipping line between the country’s mainland at Kimi and Skiros, one of Greece’s many islands.
The bizarre photo was captured by Greek photographer Nontas Kalogiannis, and is a great example of a strange optical illusion called Fata Morgana. Named after Morgan Le Fey, or the legends of King Arthur, the complicated illusion occurs as a result of light bending as it passes through layers of air with different temperatures.
The bending of light brings about images of objects which have seemingly been distorted and changed to both the human eye and cameras.
Quite often Fata Morgana illusions result in images being inverted, but on some more rare occasions, if the conditions are set right, images can appear to be the right side up, displaying a strange apparition while at sea.
The mirage is thought to be the raw material for the legend of the Flying Dutchman, according to Jonathan Eyers’ 2011 book Don’t Shoot the Albatross!: Nautical Myths and Superstitions. The spectre is not limited to the sea, and can be responsible for many strange sightings, including mountains that appear to be hovering.
Fata Morgana is the Italian name for Morgan le Fay, the Arthurian sorceress believed to use witchcraft to conjure up fairy castles used to lure sailors to their doom. Multiple ‘floating ships’ have been photographed and videoed over the years, with boats appearing to hover off the coast of Britain in Cornwall, Devon, and Aberdeenshire on one occasion.
In another sighting, four ships appeared to hover above the sea off the coast of Cyprus, forming a line just east of the southern city of Limassol.
In the 19th and early 20th centuries, Fata Morgana mirages may have played a role in a number of unrelated “discoveries” of arctic and Antarctic land masses which were later shown not to exist. Icebergs frozen into the pack ice, or the uneven surface of the ice itself, may have contributed to the illusion of distant land features.
Yakov Sannikov and Matvei Gedenschtrom claimed to have seen a land mass north of Kotelny Island during their 1809–1810 cartographic expedition to the New Siberian Islands. Sannikov reported this sighting of a “new land” in 1811, and the supposed island was named after him.
Three-quarters of a century later, in 1886, Baron Eduard Toll, a Baltic German explorer in Russian service, reported observing Sannikov Land during another expedition to the New Siberian Islands.
Many other expeditions set off to try and find the land mass, but all failed. Some historians and geographers have theorized that the land mass that Sannikov and Toll saw was actually Fata Morganas of Bennett Island.
AI depiction of Hellanicus of Lesbos. Credit: DALLE for the Greek Reporter
Hellanicus of Lesbos was born around 480 BC on the Greek island of Lesbos. He was one of the earliest and most prolific Greek logographers of the 5th century BC, paving the way for some of the great writers who came after him. Unfortunately, his contribution to the seminal parts of Greek writing is relatively unknown. Not many people even know of his existence. Hellanicus lived for some time at the court of a Macedonian king in Northern Greece as well as in Athens. However, he passed away around 395 BC in Perperene, Asia Minor, an ancient Greek city in modern-day Western Turkey.
A prolific Greek writer with a wide range of works
Hellanicus might not have attained the reputation some of his later colleagues enjoyed. Nonetheless, he was a remarkably productive author. With around thirty works attributed to him, he pioneered and innovated, shaping the future world of prose in ancient Greece. Unfortunately, only fragments of these works survive today. Nonetheless, they are still enough for us to understand his style and appreciate his talent.
What really set Hellanicus apart from other logographers who lived and flourished before him was his unique attempt to record a series of local traditions and myths from across Greece as they were actually remembered by the people who lived there. This differed from the prevailing practice of simply repeating the commonly accepted versions of poets.
In addition to his most famous work Atthis, which was a local history of the broader region of Athens known as Attica, Hellanicus wrote a number of monographs on many other parts of the Greek and Middle Eastern world. His fascinating work on genealogies and historical lists in particular helped later scholars to establish a common chronology for Greek history, a tool that was undoubtedly important.
The Atthis and its influence on the ancient Greek world
Some people argue that perhaps the most significant work of Hellanicus was his Atthis. It is actually the very first known history of Attica and its main metropolis, Athens. This groundbreaking work spanned from the time of the mythical kings that ruled the region to the very end of the devastating Peloponnesian War. It is the main reason why they formed a crucial and important foundational basis for the later work of the great historian Thucydides, who we all know so well.
A fragment of Atlantis by Hellanicus (Papyrus Oxyrhynchus 1084, early 2nd century). Credit: Wikimedia Commons, Public Domain
The Atthis also had a major influence on many other later Athenian historians and assisted many of his peers in establishing the genre of local history and making it grow. By completing this important task of expanding the scope of historical writing further beyond just repeating well-known myths from the past, Hellanicus truly paved the way for more critical approaches to history.
An early attempt at scientific chronology
Another really important contribution by Hellanicus was his groundbreaking attempt to establish a more scientifically accurate chronology. Hellanicus attempted to base his dating on lists of priestesses, magistrates, and oriental dates, an approach much more scientific than what was commonly used at the time when people relied on the traditional, generation-based approach.
While his methods were obviously still very limited and often had to fall back on conventional dating, the attempt of Hellanicus to organize and find the exact chronology of events more rigorously was a truly pioneering and important step in the development of Greek historiography as a whole. Particularly his work in creating structured narratives from well-known myths and historical lists had a crucial impact on subsequent mythographers and historians.
A transitional figure of ancient Greek writing
Despite all these innovations, we should note that Hellanicus was still a transitional figure. His well-conducted task of bridging the gap between the older tradition of recording oral myths and the more critical historical approaches of later 5th-century historians like Herodotus and Thucydides set him apart from other contemporary figures.
A number of ancient writers often considered Hellanicus and his works untrustworthy.This was because he deviated significantly from common traditions that were well-established at the time. Nevertheless, his attempts to expand and broaden the scope as well as his methodology of history writing were fundamental in the future development of Greek historiography.
Hellanicus of Lesbos may not be as well-known as some later Greek historians, however, his role in shaping the course of history writing cannot be overstated. As one of the earliest and most prolific logographers, he genuinely helped pave the way and lay the foundations for the much more critical and scientific approaches to history that would follow.
The Myth of Europa and How Europe Got its Name. Credit: Following Hadrian/ Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 2.0
Europe Day held on 9 May every year celebrates peace and unity in Europe. The date marks the anniversary of the historic ‘Schuman declaration’ that set out his idea for a new form of political cooperation in Europe, which would make war between Europe’s nations unthinkable. Schuman’s proposal is considered to be the beginning of what is now the European Union.
Europe got its name from the princess of Phoenicia, Europa. According to Greek mythology, Zeus, the king of the Olympian Gods, transformed into a beautiful white bull to abduct the girl he loved.
The story of Europa is one of the most famous tales of love and lust between the gods.
Zeus was not only known for being the most prominent deity in the ancient Greek pantheon. He also had a reputation for his endless affairs. His many children, not all of which were from the same mother, had the most extraordinary origins one could imagine.
Europa’s Divine Greek God Ancestry
Europa was the only daughter of King Agenor (meaning heroic or manly in Greek) and Telephassa (meaning shining from afar), who were rulers of Phoenicia. Agenor was the son of the god Poseidon and Libya. Libya was the daughter of the King of Egypt, Epaphus, who was the son of the almighty god Zeus. Europa’s mother, Telephassa, was the daughter of Nilus, god of the river Nile and of the Nymph Nephele, an Oceanid that Zeus created in the form of his wife, goddess Hera, to trick king Ixion.
Zeus was smitten by Europa, the beautiful Princess
As the tale goes, Zeus was so smitten by the beautiful princess of Phoenicia that he transfigured himself into a marvelous white bull to seduce her.
Europa was picking flowers with her helpers when she suddenly saw the bull approaching from afar. The princess was astonished by the beauty of the animal. As they neared each other, he quickly leaned down at Europa’s feet in an act of utter submission to her. Encouraged by her helpers, she climbed on the animal’s back.
Zeus got up and slowly started walking around. Soon, however, he accelerated his pace and eventually broke into a gallop, with Europa clinging on for her life. The king of the gods and the frightened princess reached the seaside and dived into the sea.
Drawing depicting the abduction of Europa. Public Domain
Zeus carried Europa to the Island of Crete
Europa’s parents were beside themselves, and Agenor sent out his sons to look for her, but in vain. They never found her, and were eventually forced to abandon their search for their sister.
Zeus had carried Europa from Phoenicia to Crete. Once they got to the island, Zeus reclaimed his human form and finally satisfied his lust by mating with her under an evergreen tree.
Meanwhile, Zeus was married to the goddess Hera, but he could not overcome his desire for the princess of Phoenicia.
Following their union, she gave birth to three sons who were noted for their fairmindedness and justice.
A modern statue at Agios Nikolaos, Crete depicts the abduction of Europa. Credit: Neil Howard/Flickr
Gifts to Europa
Zeus loved Europa unconditionally; his love knew no bounds, so, in addition to the three divine children, she was granted three special and invaluable gifts.
The first was Talos, a giant bronze humanoid that served as her bodyguard. He was an invincible opponent who would not back down from a fight.
The second priceless gift was Laelaps, a dog that, according to Greek mythology, always caught what it hunted.
The final gift was a javelin. This weapon was unique because it had the power to never miss the target.
Zeus also gifted her a beautiful ornamental necklace that the god of fire, Hephaestus, had created.
First time “Europe” is Used as Geographic Term
Although no accounts describe what became of Europa after her adventure with Zeus, it is clear that her influence on the ancient Greeks was so significant that they named the continent after her.
The first recorded usage of Europe as a geographic term is in Homer’s Hymn to Delian Apollo in reference to the western shore of the Aegean Sea. Additionally, the Greek philosopher Anaximander and the geographer Hecataeus used it as a name for a region of the known world for the first time in the sixth century BC.
The word “Europe” is derived from the Greek words “eurus” (εύροσ-wide) and “ops” (ωψ-eye or face) but it is unknown whether the ancient Greeks thus named Europe after the facial characteristics they noticed in its inhabitants.
A 400-year-old Shipwreck believed to be carrying £4bn worth of gold just off the UK coast has a chance of being found. Credit: DirectDish. CC BY 2.0/flickr
A 400-year-old Shipwreck believed to be carrying £4bn ($5bn) worth of gold just off the UK coast has a chance of being found now that renewed efforts are being launched by a UK company.
The Merchant Royal’s shipwreck, also known as the El Dorado of the Seas, sank in 1641 and is thought to be somewhere off the coast of Cornwall. The sunken vessel has been the object of many recovery expeditions over the years, with no success, but now a UK company called Multibeam Services believes it can locate it.
Run by former commercial fisherman and diver Nigel Hodge, with a team of 11, the company specializes in locating lost shipwrecks, and is setting out to try and find the vessel next month.
Hodge plans to spend the remainder of this year searching for the wreck, covering an area of 200 square miles of the English channel. It’s “not a gold rush” though, Hodge told Metro.co.uk, even though he thinks the shipwreck may be worth billions.
Because of the strict laws on who has ownership of discovered treasure, “the days of people finding a big pile of gold and becoming rich overnight are well and truly gone,” added Hodge, who also said that the attraction for him lies in finding answers, with any precious metals on board set to become heritage artifacts.
The latest technology may help solve the mystery of the missing wreck, with the company owning unmanned underwater vessels worth £3.5 million ($4.4 million), capable of submerging up to 6,000 meters – deeper than the deepest part of the search area – alongside new sonar tech.
Hodge said the mission will be a difficult one, being that the stretch of water where the ship sank is notoriously dangerous.
“There’s thousands of shipwrecks down there and the Merchant Royal is just one of them,” he told Metro.co.uk. “So we’ve got to literally pick through a lot of wrecks as we’re doing them and then identify them. It’s not straightforward. If it was straightforward, it would have been done.”
Headquartered in Redruth and comprising a handful of former fishermen, Hodge believes his company is well placed to ‘bring home the gold’ where others have failed due to its local knowledge and tech advancements.
The Story of the Shipwreck and the Gold
The ship plunged on its way to Dartmouth on September 23, 1641, after a stay in the Spanish port of Cadiz where it was repaired and took on more cargo on its way back from Mexico and the Caribbean.
The modern day Port of Cadiz. Credit: Rab. CC BY 2.0/flickr
It was manoeuvring payment for 30,000 soldiers in Flanders, alongside treasures from the ‘New World’ including 400 bars of Mexican silver and 500,000 pieces of eight. A report about the shipwreck from 1641 housed by the British Library says it was carrying “300,000 in ready boliogne and 100,000 pound in gold and as much value in jewels.”
Historians have not come to an agreement on how much treasure could be on board, with some debate around whether the 100,000 pounds of gold meant in currency or weight. At the lowest estimate however, the treasure on board would still be worth hundreds of thousands of pounds.
The cargo, along with 18 crew members, plunged to the bottom of the ocean, but 40 sailors, including the ship’s captain John Limbrey, were rescued by her sister vessel in convoy, the Merchant Dover.
The financial loss at the time was so heavy that proceedings in the House of Commons were stopped to hear the news, and King Charles I said the event was “the greatest loss ever sustained in one ship.”
Despite its being lost for 400 years, the mission to find it was stoked in 2019 after a fishing boat, the Spirited Lady, hauled up an anchor thought to belong to the long-lost vessel.
Multibeam Services has reportedly already discovered lost wrecks, and even found a sunken pirate ship filled with treasure last year.
Hodge’s attempts to locate one of the world’s most elusive and mysterious shipwrecks will be followed by a documentary crew starting next month, which will be hosted by ex-special forces and commando Jason Fox.
“Some will say it’s a needle in a haystack,” Hodge told Metro.co.uk. “I wouldn’t say it’s quite that but it is a large area and we’ve got the elements to deal with. We need to wait for certain conditions to be able to use the equipment.”
The former fishermen’s crew will base themselves on the Isles of Scilly to prevent themselves having to go back and forth from the mainland.
Greek philosopher Theophrastus (c. 372 BC, Eresus, Lesbos — c. 287) was a Greek philosopher and pupil of Aristotle and perhaps the first weather forecaster in the world.
His book On Signs, written in the fourth century BC, was the first attempt to gather weather lore into a single volume. Aristotle created a theory of weather in his book Meteorology, but his successor attempted to give guidance on practical weather prediction, making him perhaps the first published weather forecaster.
One of Theophrastus’s principles was that weather divides into complementary halves so that one condition is typically followed by its opposite. Hence a wet winter precedes a dry spring and a dry May goes before a wet June.
Theophrastus also recorded dozens of signs indicating wind, storms, rain and other conditions ahead. Some are fairly obvious, such as the observation that being surrounded by lightning means rain is imminent. Others are less so, such as the flight of cranes being a predictor of fair weather, David Hambling writes in The Guardian.
Weather tips from Theophrastus
Here are some of his observations published in his book On Signs
“The signs of rain appear to be as follows: most unmistakable is that which occurs at dawn, when the sky has a reddish appearance before sunrise; for this usually indicates rain within three days, if not on that very day. Other signs point the same way: thus a red sky at sunset indicates rain within three days, if not before, though less certainly than a red sky at dawn,” Theophrastus wrote.
He adds: “If the sun sets in a cloud in winter or spring, this generally indicates rain within three days. So too, if there are streaks of light from the south, while, if these are seen from the north, it is a less certain sign. Again, if the sun when it rises has a black mark, or if it rises out of clouds, it is a sign of rain; while, if at sunrise there are rays shooting out before the actual rising, it is a sign of rain and also of wind. Again if, as the sun sinks, a cloud forms below it and this breaks up its rays, it is a sign of stormy weather. Again, if it sets or rises with a burning heat, and there is no wind, it is a sign of rain.”
He continues:
“It is a sign of rain when a crow puts back its head on a rock which is washed by waves, or when it often dives or hovers over the water. It is a sign of rain if the raven, who is accustomed to make many different sounds, repeats one of these twice quickly and makes a whirring sound and shakes its wings. So too if, during a rainy season, he utters many different sounds, or if he searches for lice perched in an olive-tree.
“And if, whether in fair or wet weather, he imitates, as it were, with his voice falling drops, it is a sign of rain. So too is it if ravens or jackdaws fly high and scream like hawks. And, if a raven in fair weather does not utter his accustomed note and makes a whirring with his wings, it is a sign of rain.”
“A dog rolling on the ground is a sign of violent wind. A number of cobwebs in motion portends wind or storm…If in autumn sheep or oxen dig holes and lie keeping their heads close to one another, it indicates a severe winter.”
You can read excerpts from the Greek philosopher’s book here
Theophrastus was one of the few Peripatetics who fully embraced Aristotle’s philosophy in all areas of metaphysics, physics, physiology, zoology, botany, ethics, politics, and history of culture.
He came to Athens at a young age and initially studied in Plato‘s school. After Plato’s death, he attached himself to Aristotle who took to Theophrastus in his writings. When Aristotle fled Athens, Theophrastus took over as head of the Lyceum.
Theophrastus presided over the Peripatetic school for thirty-six years, during which time the school flourished greatly. He is often considered the father of botany for his works on plants.
The Bronze Age in ancient Greece, characterized by numerous powerful cities, played a pivotal role in shaping the foundations of civilization during this era. Credit: Gary Bembridge/ Wikimedia Commons/ CC BY 2.0
The Bronze Age in ancient Greece was a pivotal era that laid the foundation for the rich tapestry of Hellenic (Greek) civilization. A period marked by technological advancements, cultural achievements, and intricate social structures, the Bronze Age witnessed the emergence of influential city-states that shaped the course of history.
From the legendary Mycenae, steeped in the myths of Agamemnon and the Trojan War, to the maritime prowess of Pylos and the cultural hub of Knossos on the island of Crete, these cities represent the vibrant mosaic of ancient Greek civilization.
Mycenae
The Grave Circle A archaeological site at Mycenae. Credit: Andreas Trepte / CC BY-Sa 2.5 / Wikimedia Commons
Mycenae, a pivotal Bronze Age site in Greece, stands as a testament to the Mycenaean culture. Its mythological roots attribute its founding to Perseus. The site gained prominence in the late 19th century through Heinrich Schliemann’s extensive excavation, unearthing significant remains for study. Serving a pivotal role in classical Greek culture, this ancient city boasts a Bronze Age acropolis strategically positioned between the hills known today as Profitis Ilias and Mount Sara.
Mycenaean construction, influenced by Minoan traditions, exhibits notable innovations in fortification walls. The walls, a blend of ashlar and cyclopean masonry, began being constructed in the 14th century and were later expanded. The Lion Gate, an engineering marvel, showcases rearing lions in stone relief. Military ingenuity is evident in features like spur walls and a subterranean passageway designed for tactical advantage.
The Lion Gate of Mycenae. Credit: Andreas Trepte / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 2.5
Beyond the walls, Mycenae’s residential area featured Grave Circle B, predating Circle A, and dome-shaped tholos tombs, notably the Treasury of Atreus (Tomb of Agamemnon). Abandoned over two thousand years ago, Mycenae’s legacy endures through its architectural marvels and cultural significance.
Located on the island of Crete, Knossos was the center of the Minoan civilization, characterized by its advanced architecture and sophisticated culture. The largest of the Bronze Age Minoan palaces on Crete, it is of pivotal importance to ancient Greek history. Discovered and extensively excavated by Arthur Evans beginning in 1899, Knossos revealed the complex civilization of the Minoans.
ca. 3,400 year old Minoan fresco known as 'La Parisienne' from Palace Knossos #Crete probably wall Sanctuary Hall pic.twitter.com/YXCE7lrkDj
Its origins date back to around 1900 BC. It experienced destruction due to an earthquake around 1700 BC and was subsequently rebuilt. This architectural marvel, sprawling and lacking fortification, displayed a central court, intricate walkways, and rooms with specific functions. Its distinctive single columns and vivid frescoes, such as the “Minoan Lady” (also known as La Parisienne) and scenes like “bull vaulting,” showcase Minoan artistic prowess.
Thebes
The remains of the ancient citadel of Thebes, the Cadmea, whose founding dates back to time immemorial. Credit: J. Matthew Harrington / CC-BY-SA-3.0 / Wikimedia Commons
Thebes, situated in Central Greece, emerged as one of the paramount cities of ancient Greece during the Bronze Age. This city gained legendary status as the seat of the mythical king Oedipus, who, according to Greek legends, unwittingly killed his father and married his mother.
Thebes served as the backdrop for numerous ancient Greek tragedies, including works by Aeschylus and Sophocles. The city’s significance was further underscored by the construction of the celebrated seven-gated wall attributed to Amphion, who, according to legends, enchanted stones into movement with his lyre.
Figurine of a female covered by the himation and a conical hat with wide brim; first half of 3rd Century BC.
During the Bronze Age, Thebes played a crucial role as a center of civilization in ancient Greece. The renowned ancient citadel, Cadmea, was established during this time and was attributed to Cadmus, brother of Europa. Cadmea’s construction is indicative of the city’s advanced architectural achievements during the Bronze Age.
Thebes’ zenith was in the 4th century BC under the military leadership of Epaminondas, who invaded the Peloponnese and secured Theban dominance. However, a swift decline followed, and Thebes eventually fell under Macedonian control, enduring further periods of prosperity, decline, and reconstruction.
Pylos
Pylos, located in the southwestern part of the Peloponnese, was a significant center during Bronze Age Greece. It gained prominence as a major Mycenaean city and played a crucial role in shaping the political and cultural landscape of the time.
One of the most notable features of Pylos during the Bronze Age was the discovery of the Palace of Nestor. The palace, highlighted in the tale of the Trojan War, is referenced by Homer in the Odyssey. Telemachus “went to Pylos and to Nestor, the shepherd of the people,” where he was offered a “kindly welcome.”
This palace complex, unearthed by archaeologist Carl Blegen in the 1930s, provided valuable insights into Mycenaean civilization. The tablets found at this site contained inscriptions in Linear B, an early form of Greek writing, which has been instrumental in deciphering the Mycenaean script.
The Palace of Nestor is often associated with the legendary figure Nestor, a character in Homer’s epics, the Iliad, and the Odyssey. Its architectural layout and the artifacts discovered within its walls reflect the advanced civilization and administrative capabilities of Mycenaean Pylos.
Pylos was also a key player in the political landscape of the time, engaging in trade and diplomatic relations with other Mycenaean cities and cultures in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Troy, Important Bronze Age Trade Center
Bronze Age walls of Troy VI. Credit: CherryX / CC-BY-SA-3.0 / Wikipedia Commons
Troy, situated in modern-day Turkey and historically linked to the Bronze Age Greek world, was of immense contemporary significance. It is renowned for its central role in the Trojan War, as immortalized by Homer in the Iliad.
The city’s prominence is deeply rooted in the epic narrative of the Trojan War, during which it was the focal point of the conflict between the Greeks and Trojans. The legendary tale, narrated by Homer, features iconic figures such as Achilles, Hector, and Odysseus, creating a narrative that transcends historical reality.
Troy’s strategic location at the crossroads of noteworthy trade routes and its proximity to the Dardanelles Strait made it a crucial center for commerce and cultural exchange during the Bronze Age. The city’s fortifications, including its famous walls, stand as a testament to its role as a stronghold and hub for diplomatic and economic activities.
The Greek island of Naxos. Credit: Dronepicr/Wikimedia Commons/ CC BY 2.0
Naxos is the largest island of the Cyclades island group, and although it is comparatively unknown relative to Greece’s many other idylls, it is one of the most enchanting places for any visitor.
Despite flying somewhat under the radar, the island is one of the most interesting places in Greece. It boasts a magnificent history with influences from the Franks and the Venetians, who are responsible for numerous monuments from the Middle Ages. The island is completely overtaken by history.
Apart from boasting a fascinating past, Naxos possesses a lovely natural landscape since it is the greenest island in the Cyclades archipelago. In addition to having beautiful beaches, its rural villages are set into a backdrop of green valleys and mountains.
The island is also unique because it incorporates four smaller islets, Koufonissia, Iraklia, Donoussa, and Schinoussa, which actually belong to the municipality of Naxos and the Small Cyclades. Travelers here have the unique opportunity of experiencing five islands in one destination.
This gives added value to the island since it offers the chance to hop on over to these smaller islets and experience their almost completely untouched, romantic beauty.
With captivating legends, myths and history, stunning landscapes, and gastronomic specialties, Naxos is definitely worth exploring.
The fabled history of the Greek island Naxos
In Greek mythology, the island of Naxos was where Zeus, the king of the gods, grew up, hiding from his father Cronus’ violence. This is also where the god planned to win his Olympian throne.
According to myth, Zeus Eubouleus, the protector of the Naxians, fell in love with Semele, who was the daughter of King Cadmus of Thebes. From their union, Dionysus, the god of wine and revelry, was born.
Hera had urged Semele to ask Zeus to appear in all his divine form.
Since Semele was a mortal, she was unable to withstand the volley of thunderbolts that emanated from Zeus, and this resulted in her death. She died before giving birth whereupon Zeus took the fetus and placed it in his thigh.
When the time came for him to be born, Dionysus emerged from Zeus, and he was brought up on Naxos by the local nymphs.
Dionysus understandably grew to love the island, and used his power to make the land fertile, filled with vineyards which produced the finest wines. The local people built a temple on the island in honor of Dionysus.
Naxos is also where Theseus took Ariadne, the daughter of Minos, the King of Crete, after killing the Minotaur. According to myth, Theseus saw the Greek god Dionysus in a dream, and the god told him to leave Naxos without Ariadne, since she was meant to stay there and become his wife.
Dionysus and Ariadne had three children, Oinopion (“Wine Drinker”), Staphylos (“Grape”), and Evanthi (“Lovely Flower”).
The Venetian Conquest of Naxos
The rule of the Venetians marked an important period in the history of Naxos. When Marco Sanudo took over the Cyclades in the year 120, he created a dukedom, which he named the Duchy of the Aegean, establishing the beginning of a long line of such rulers on Naxos.
Sanudo also constructed the beautiful castle which still exists at the very top of Naxos Town. The Jesuit Commercial School was also founded there and flourished inside the castle.
For the next several centuries, the island was divided into 56 provinces, each of which were ruled over by numerous Venetian nobles. The rule of the Venetian dukes lasted till 1564, when the Turks took over the entire nation of Greece.
Essential sightseeing on the Greek island of Naxos
The Naxos Portara:
The Portara of the Greek island of Naxos. Credit: Olaf Tausch/ Wikimedia Commons/ CC BY 3.0
The Portara, or the Great Door, is essentially a massive marble doorway. It is located close to the port on the tiny islet of Palatia, which was once a hill.
At one point, the tyrant Lygdamis began to build a temple on the tiny islet. He had grand ideas of creating a temple even larger than that of Zeus in Athens.
After the tyrant’s fall, the temple remained unfinished, leaving only its foundation and part of its gate, or Portara.
Later, under Venetian rule, the marble was used to build the Castle of Naxos, as well as other monuments and buildings.
Kastro (the Castle of Naxos)
Along with the Tower of Glezos, the Kastro serves as a protective shield to the fortress built by Sanoudos in the Chora, or Old Town, of Naxos.
Sanoudo constructed the castle on a hill which rises approximately 30 meters (90 feet) above sea level over the remains of an ancient acropolis, which he considered a suitable place for the original establishment of the city.
The most remarkable feature of his castle is that its walls are actually made up of the outer walls of the houses of the city, which were erected along its perimeter.
The Temple of Dionysus
Dionysus was especially beloved and honored by the ancient Greeks since he was the god of fun, wine, and celebration, who also bestowed fertility on the land, including its many vineyards.
It was believed that he was a denizen of the island’s forests and was constantly drunk on wine.
The residents built a large temple in honor of their god, but sadly, only part of it survives today. From the pieces that remain, it was established that the temple was built at some point in the sixth century BC.
The Romans reconstructed the temple to Dionysus in the first century BC, and in the fifth century AD, the temple was turned into a Christian church.
The Cave of Zas
According to myth, Zeus grew up here, finding refuge in the cave while being hunted by his father, Cronus.
It was here that Zeus became ruler of Olympus after being given the power over lightning, and, to honor him, the residents of Naxos named the cave, as well as the mountain, after him.
Remains from various historical periods including Roman, Neolithic, and many others, were found in archaeological research carried out in this Naxos cave in 1962. It is also known to have been used as a refuge during the Ottoman Occupation.
Two different paths lead to the cave. One begins near the village of Danakos, and the other near Filoti. While exploring near the cave, you will also find the fountain of Aries, which still has potable water today.
Mount Zas
Mount Zas, the tallest mountain on the island, is also the tallest mountain in the Cyclades. The peak of Mount Zas, with an altitude of about 1,000 meters, or 3,000 feet, above sea level, is a popular destination for mountain climbers and hikers on Naxos.
Trekking from Danakos, one passes the small chapel of St. Marina, as well as the Cave of Zas and an inscription on a piece of ancient marble which translates as “Mount Zas, protector of the sheep.” This shows the great importance placed on stockbreeding on the island since ancient times.
Trekkers can experience enchanting panoramic views of the Aegean sea, as well as the neighboring islands of the Cyclades, from the top of Mt. Zas.
Bazeos Tower
This stout castle, which also functioned as a monastery, was built in the seventeenth century to offer refuge to the residents of the island due to constant pirate attacks.
By the end of the nineteenth century, the Bazeos family owned the castle, and it was used as their summer residence until their last descendant recently chose to turn the castle into a space suitable for hosting cultural events.
The “Naxos Festival at Bazeos Tower” has taken place every summer since 2001, offering events of cultural interest, as well as exhibitions of contemporary works of art.
Sunbathing on Naxos, Greece
Agios Prokopios
Located 5 kilometers (3 miles) from Naxos Town, the beach of Agios Prokopios is considered one of the most spectacular beaches not just in Greece but in the entirety of Europe.
Its wide sand beaches extend over 1.5 kilometers (one mile) and its crystal clear waters, which alternate from hues of light to deep blue and turquoise, are the most prominent feature of this sheltered bay, making it a must-visit for all vacationers on Naxos.
One part of the beach is an organized resort, but the other part is left completely unspoiled, providing a peaceful, idyllic haven on its western side, where a chapel of the same name also stands.
Meanwhile, water sport lovers can get their fill, thanks to the wealth of activities on offer there, including beach volleyball, windsurfing, sea bicycling, and snorkeling.
Since Agios Prokopios served as the main port of Naxos during the Middle Ages, a picturesque old shipwreck can also be found at the end of the beach.
Shops can be found in a nearby small village along with mini markets, cafes, bars, tavernas, and car and motorbike rental agencies. Everything vacationers could possibly need is located here, on the beach’s eastern side.
Agia Anna
Once a fishing village, the 6-kilometer (four-mile) long Agia Anna Beach is actually a continuation of Agios Prokopis Beach. This seemingly endless sandy beach is interrupted only by its picturesque harbor, which serves as an anchorage for area fishermen.
Agia Anna Beach, considered one of the best organized beaches on Naxos, features umbrellas and sunbeds all along its length.
Numerous types of accommodation are available, such as beach front hotels, as well as apartments and rooms to let. You can find a great selection of beachfront restaurants, fish tavernas, beach bars, and cafes offering both stunning views of the sea and the surrounding landscape.
At times, the waters of the northern part of the beach are choppy, but the small port is protected by winds and is usually very calm, making it ideal for a nice, relaxing swim even with the strongest winds.
Agia Anna and Agios Prokopis are connected to Chora by buses which pass by every twenty minutes to half an hour from the early morning hours to late at night.
In Turkey, archaeologists have discovered an ancient statue that’s nearly eleven thousand years old. It shows a man clutching his genitals.
They also found a life-sized statue of a wild boar. These statues were found in Gobekli Tepe and Karahan Tepe, two of the world’s oldest temple sites.
The wild boar statue, made from limestone, was found at Gobekli Tepe. It dates back to between 8700 B.C. and 8200 B.C. This statue is about 4.4 feet long and 2.3 feet high, according to the German Archaeological Institute.
Visitors in Anatolia are well-advised to see the monoliths of Göbeklitepe, between 3 and 6 metres high, which were seen as "game-changers" when discovered by archaeologists in the 1990s.https://t.co/T9MTUgFuzf
Archaeologists discovered red, black, and white colors on the surface of the sculpture, indicating that it was once painted. They discovered the giant statue of the man clutching his genitals in Karahan Tepe, Turkey, about 22 miles from Gobekli Tepe.
According to a statement from Turkey’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the statue is of a 7.5-foot-tall man with visible ribs, spines, and shoulders.
Benjamin Arbuckle, an anthropology professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, who wasn’t part of the dig, said these discoveries are amazing and change how we understand early pre-agricultural communities.
Researchers also discovered a small vulture sculpture near Karahan Tepe. They haven’t specified the exact age of the newly found statues, but the site itself is roughly eleven thousand years old.
Purpose of newly discovered statues in Turkey unclear
Formerly, archaeologists believed early communities of around eleven thousand years ago in Southwest Asia were quite simple, small, and generally egalitarian, as explained by Arbuckle. However, the findings at Gobekli Tepe and Karahan Tepe in the last thirty years have shown that this belief is not accurate.
The reason for these newly discovered sculptures remains a mystery. Ted Banning, an anthropology professor at the University of Toronto, who was not part of the research, said findings at Karahan Tepe are particularly intriguing.
He pointed out that any explanation of the statue is based on guesses at this stage but suggested that the person depicted might be deceased. The statue could be of a noteworthy ancestor linked to the building where it was located.
The way the figure is holding its genitals could provide additional clues as to its meaning. “The fact that the figure is clutching its genitals is also consistent with this interpretation by potentially symbolizing that this person was the progenitor of a social group, such as a lineage or clan, associated with the building,” Banning concluded.
Conservative victory in North Macedonia may affect relations with Greece. Credit: AMNA
North Macedonia elected its first woman president Wednesday as the governing Social Democrats suffered historic losses in twin presidential and parliamentary elections.
Conservative-backed Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova, a 70-year-old law professor, was declared the winner after receiving nearly 65 percent support with more than two-thirds of the vote counted in a presidential runoff.
“Is there a bigger change than electing a woman as president?” Siljanovska-Davkova told party supporters. “I will stand with women in taking this great step forward, a step towards reform.”
#BREAKING#NorthMacedonia Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova, supported by the opposition VMRO-DPMNE party, has won the presidential elections in North Macedonia.
With over 50% of the ballots counted, Siljanovska-Davkova secured 64% of the vote. pic.twitter.com/h2hfQylMEL
— The National Independent (@NationalIndNews) May 8, 2024
Incumbent Stevo Pendarovski conceded after garnering just over 29 percent of the vote.
North Macedonia president supported by conservative VMRO-DPMNE
Siljanovska-Davkova was backed by the conservative VMRO-DPMNE party, which made sweeping gains on popular discontent over the country’s slow path toward European Union membership and its sluggish economy.
A coalition led by VMRO-DPMNE was ahead with nearly 43 percent in the parliamentary election, while the Social Democrat-led coalition that has held power for the last seven years struggled to hold onto second place with 14.8 percent – just ahead of a group of parties led by the ethnic Albanian minority party DUI.
Celebrations in the capital Skopje were muted by a thunderstorm that caused power outages.
The conservative landslide win will be followed by power-sharing talks for the control of the 120-seat parliament. But Social Democrat leader Dimitar Kovachevski, who served as prime minister from 2022 until early this year, conceded his party’s defeat late Wednesday in the parliamentary election and announced that he would stand down after a new leader is selected by the party.
Ceremonial role of the President
Victory for Siljanovska-Davkova makes her the first woman to hold the largely ceremonial post of president since the country gained independence from the former Yugoslavia in the 1990s.
The month-long campaign focused on North Macedonia’s slow progress toward joining the 27-nation EU, the rule of law, corruption, fighting poverty and tackling the country’s flat economic growth.
VMRO-DPMNE leader Hristijan Mickoski headed a 22-party coalition called Your Macedonia that accused opponents of ineptitude and making humiliating compromises in trying to settle disputes with North Macedonia’s neighbors. Mickoski, 46, told supporters that the incoming conservative-led government would make fighting corruption its priority.
“Every last person who committed a crime and committed corruption will be held accountable,” he said. “The people have taught the government its most important lesson and saved their country … We have regained hope and tonight we have reason to celebrate.”
NATO member North Macedonia has been a candidate to join the EU since 2005, but was blocked by successive disputes with neighbors Greece and Bulgaria as well as slow progress on some reforms required for membership to advance.
