LATEST ARTICLES

New Therapy Destroys Deadly Brain Tumor in Days

Abdul Moeed
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New Therapy Destroys Deadly Brain Tumor in Days
New Therapy Destroys Deadly Brain Tumor in Days
A new therapy, CAR T-cell therapy, destroys deadly brain tumors of glioblastoma in days. Credit: Ars Neurochirurgica / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 4.0

A 72-year-old man, diagnosed with a very aggressive type of cancer known as glioblastoma, had brain scans that showed his tumor shrank significantly just days after treatment.

Two other individuals with a similar cancer diagnosis didn’t have such positive results, but the innovative treatment provides hope for people with this aggressive type of cancer. There is otherwise no known cure for glioblastoma.

Glioblastoma is one of the deadliest types of cancers. It starts from support cells in the central nervous system and quickly spreads, growing into cancerous masses. Moreover, up to 95 percent of people with glioblastoma don’t survive beyond five years, according to a study.

CAR T-cell therapy may help treat glioblastoma

Researchers at the Mass General Cancer Center in the US had the idea that a treatment called CAR T-cell therapy, which uses the patient’s own immune system, could work against glioblastoma.

This therapy, already in use for blood cancers, is efficient at finding and attacking cancer cells. The patient’s T-cells are extracted from their body, modified to spot specific markers on cancer cells, and then injected back into the body through infusion.

Oftentimes, with glioblastoma, there is a modified version of a protein called epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), which could be a target for CAR T-cell treatment. However, glioblastoma has different forms, making it difficult to modify T-cells.

To resolve this, researchers have determined how to stimulate CAR T-cells to produce antibodies that look for normal EGFRs, too. These proteins aren’t usually in brain cells but are in cancer cells. Hence, it offers an additional way to spot their target, according to ScienceAlert.

In lab tests prior to human trials, the T-cell-engaging antibody molecule (TEAM) therapy showed promising results by gathering T-cells at the tumor site and bringing in more T-cells to help fight the cancer.

The INCIPIENT trial, a phase 1 clinical study, aimed to ascertain if this treatment was safe and could be a helpful treatment for glioblastoma.

Human trials on 3 patients diagnosed with glioblastoma

Only three patients were chosen for the trial, all diagnosed with a type of glioblastoma.

The first patient, a 74-year-old man, had tried regular medicine and radiation for his tumor but relapsed a year later. After receiving an infusion of CARv3-TEAM-E T-Cells, the treatment began producing results. Just a day later, an MRI scan showed the tumor had shrunk significantly.

Within a few months, the first patient had to undergo surgery yet again because the cancer had begun spreading once more despite the earlier progress detected in scans.

There was a similar situation with a 57-year-old woman who had a large glioblastoma tumor on the left side of her brain. Her tumor almost disappeared five days after the therapy, but ultimately, it started growing again just a month later.

The third participant, the 72-year-old, didn’t show any signs of the cancer returning after the treatment. The only side effects were a fever and some small nodules in the lungs, which quickly went away.

Because of these positive results, the researchers feel hopeful about continuing to study this new immunotherapy method, as reported by ScienceAlert.

Birds of Prey Return to the Fire-Stricken Dadia National Park in Greece

Tasos Kokkinidis
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Birds of Prey Return to the Fire-Stricken Dadia National Park in Greece
Dadia National Park
The Dadia National Park known for its black vulture colony. Credit: Facebook/NECCA

Rare birds of prey have returned to the devastated from last year’s fires at Dadia National Park in north-eastern Greece, environmental groups say.

The Dadia National Park is Greece’s biggest Natura 2000 site, known for its black vulture colony and other big birds, such as the golden and white-tailed eagles.

In late August 2023, a wildfire burned uncontrollably for weeks and was declared the largest the EU has ever faced. It destroyed homes and caused multiple evacuations of villages and the Alexandroupolis hospital.

Eighteen migrants perished in the wildfire. Their charred bodies were discovered by firefighters in the Dadia Forest.

The forest was devastated by the fire that burned about 73,000 hectares (730 square kilometers or 282 square miles). About half the forest area is estimated to have been burned.

Birds of prey have now returned to Dadia National Park

However, birds of prey have now returned, the Natural Environment and Climate Change Agency (NECCA), a body supervised by the Environment and Energy Ministry, says.

“The breeding season for birds of prey in the Dadia National Forest Park is in full swing,” it reports. It adds that all previously recorded populations of reproductive-age cinereous vultures have nested, on the remaining trees or several burned-out ones still standing. A couple was also spotted on one of several artificial nesting places put up by NECCA.

Dadia National Park
All birds came back to Dadia and did not seek other areas to nest, NECCA said. Credit: Facebook/NECCA

The vulture’s reproductive season started in January and hatchlings have already appeared. Other big birds have also nested and migratory birds are appearing, NECCA said.

A biologist for the agency said that they were surprised that all birds came back and did not seek other areas to nest. But, she added, it remains to be seen when the burned-out trees finally fall down and the landscape becomes more barren.

The Dadia-Lefkimi-Soufli Forest National Park –as its official name– is one of the most important protected areas at national, European, and international scales.

It is one of the first areas in Greece to be declared as protected since a great deal of flora and fauna species found in the Balkan Peninsula, Europe and Asia coexist here.

The landscape mosaic formed by pine and oak forests, interrupted by clearings, pastures and fields is the ideal habitat for birds of prey.

Surveys have recorded at least sixty species of mammals, twelve species of amphibians, twenty-nine reptilian species, and over a hundred butterfly species. There are also anywhere between three to four hundred different plant species.

The Crucial Role of Greece’s Lemnos in the Gallipoli Campaign

Tasos Kokkinidis
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The Crucial Role of Greece’s Lemnos in the Gallipoli Campaign
Greece Lemnos ANZAC
Australia honors fallen heroes of the Gallipoli campaign on the Greek island of Lemnos. Credit: Facebook/Australian Embassy, Greece

During the Gallipoli campaign in World War I, the Greek island of Lemnos played a significant role as a staging area and base of operations for the Allied forces, including the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC).

Lemnos was chosen as the main base for because of its strategic location at the entrance to the Dardanelles and its large deep harbor.

The Greek government led by Prime Minister Eleftherios Venizelos offered the Allies the use of Lemnos as a naval base and offered three divisions of Greek troops to help the Allies capture the Gallipoli peninsula.

Lemnos’ important role in the Gallipoli campaign for ANZAC troops

Lemnos served as a crucial logistical hub and a place for troops to rest and prepare before landing on the Gallipoli Peninsula, where the first major battle undertaken by ANZAC, and is often considered to have marked the birth of national consciousness in both countries.

Over 3,000 soldiers arrived in March 1915, using the island as a base to prepare and train for the upcoming landings at Gallipoli.

The island provided facilities for troop accommodation, medical care, supply depots, and communication centers. Lemnos also served as a base for naval operations supporting the landings at Gallipoli. Additionally, it served as a place for the assembly and training of troops before they were deployed to the front lines.

Field hospitals were set up to treat the wounded ANZAC soldiers evacuated from Gallipoli. The care provided by medical staff and the local Greek population was a welcome respite for those who endured the horrors of the campaign.

For years, Greek-Australians as well as Australian politicians and military officials have been making great efforts for the Greek island of Lemnos to be included in the celebrations of Anzac Day. Lemnos is in the northern part of the Aegean Sea.

Remembrance Trail on Lemnos

Finally, in 2023, Greece and Australia agreed to create a Remembrance Trail on Lemnos in honor of the Australian troops killed in World War I.

The Australian Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Matt Keogh has confirmed a pledge announced the year before by former PM Scott Morrison of an A$4.9 million ($3.28 million) commitment towards the Lemnos Remembrance Trail.

“The history of Lemnos in the First World War is of significance to both Australians and Greeks, and we have been working closely with the Greek authorities to make this important project possible,” Keogh said.

Keogh also paid tribute to the sacrifice and dedication of the nurses and doctors who ran this important hospital base out of little more than tents and shacks.

New documentary on Lemnos and the Gallipoli campaign

A new film about Lemnos and its role in the Gallipoli Campaign premieres on Australian TV at prime time on Anzac Day, 25 April 2024.

The one-hour documentary, titled Anzac. Lemnos. 1915., features rare archival photographs and fascinating first-hand accounts, supported by contemporary views of the island and expert commentary.

For the first time, with rare photo archives and compelling personal accounts, this unique documentary explores a little-known setting during Australia’s first war that was crucial in the shaping of Australia’s modern identity, with fascinating new themes.

As Royal Australian Navy historian, John Perryman says, “No Lemnos, no Gallipoli.”

Related: Anzac Day: When Australians and New Zealanders Fought for Greece

The Oldest Song Survived in Its Entirety Is Ancient Greek

Tasos Kokkinidis
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The Oldest Song Survived in Its Entirety Is Ancient Greek
Eitaph of Seikilo
The oldest song to have survived in its entirety is an Ancient Greek tune known as the “Seikilos Epitaph”. Credit: Lennart Larsen Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0

The oldest song to have survived in its entirety is a first-century A.D. Greek tune known as the “Seikilos Epitaph.”

The song, the melody of which is recorded, alongside its lyrics, in the ancient Greek musical notation, was found in 1883 engraved on a pillar (a stele) from the Hellenistic town of Tralles near present-day Aydın, Turkey, not far from Ephesus.

Although usually referred to as an epitaph, experts say that it is possible that it does not mark a tomb, but was merely a monument erected by Seikilos himself to commemorate his skill.

“I am a tombstone, an image,” reads an inscription. “Seikilos placed me here as an everlasting sign of deathless remembrance.”

The column also includes musical notation as well as a short set of lyrics that read: “While you live, shine / Have no grief at all / Life exists only for a short while / And time demands its toll.”

 

The well-preserved inscriptions on Seikilos Epitaph have allowed modern musicians and scholars to recreate its plaintive melodies note-for-note.

Lyrics and melody of the ancient Greek oldest song

The tombstone, or stele, was discovered in 1883 but then disappeared and was later rediscovered being used as a pedestal for a flowerpot. It is now housed in the National Museum of Denmark.

The Greek text found on the tombstone reads:

Ὅσον ζῇς φαίνου
μηδὲν ὅλως σὺ λυποῦ
πρὸς ὀλίγον ἔστι τὸ ζῆν
τὸ τέλος ὁ χρόνος ἀπαιτεῖ.

The rough translation in English:

While you live, shine
have no grief at all
life exists only for a short while
and Time demands his due.

The last two surviving words on the tombstone itself are: Σεικίλος Εὐτέρ[πῃ], meaning “Seikilos to Euterpe”; hence, according to this reconstruction, the tombstone and the epigrams thereon were possibly dedicated by Seikilos to Euterpe, who was possibly his wife.

The tombstone has an inscription on it, which reads in Greek: Εἰκὼν ἤ λίθος εἰμί. τίθησί με Σεικίλος ἔνθα μνήμης ἀθανάτου σῆμα πολυχρόνιον. A free translation of this reads: “I am a tombstone, an image. Seikilos placed me here as a long-lasting sign of deathless remembrance.”

The inscription above each line of the lyrics, consists of letters and signs indicating the melody of the song:

oldest song
Credit: Wikipedia

The song is thought to be the oldest surviving complete musical composition from anywhere in the world.

While there are older examples of musical notation, such as the Hurrian Song, these are fragmented and unlike the complete engraving found on the Seikilos Epitaph.

The history of music is as old as humanity itself. Archaeologists have found primitive flutes made of bone and ivory dating back as far as 43,000 years, and it’s likely that many ancient musical styles have been preserved in oral traditions.

When it comes to specific songs, however, the oldest known examples are relatively more recent. The earliest fragment of musical notation is found on a 4,000-year-old Sumerian clay tablet, which includes instructions and tunings for a hymn honoring the ruler Lipit-Ishtar.

But for the title of oldest extant song, most historians point to “Hurrian Hymn No. 6,” an ode to the goddess Nikkal that was composed in cuneiform by the ancient Hurrians sometime around the 14th century B.C.

The clay tablets containing the tune were excavated in the 1950s from the ruins of the city of Ugarit in Syria. Along with a near-complete set of musical notations, they also include specific instructions for how to play the song on a type of nine-stringed lyre.

Related: Ancient Greek Lyres Make a Comeback in Thessaloniki

10 Things to Do and See on Greece’s Ithaca, the Home of Odysseus

Tasos Kokkinidis
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10 Things to Do and See on Greece’s Ithaca, the Home of Odysseus
Ithaca
Vathy, the capital of Ithaca. Credit: Jean Housen, CC BY-SA 3.0/Wikipedia

Worldwide famous as the home of Odysseus, the Ionian Island of Ithaca boasts lush green valleys and rugged hills, while hiking trails lead walkers to hidden ruins and stunning sea views.

Today, it is a peaceful and quiet island ready to be explored.

Explore the Capital of Ithaca, Vathy

Ithaca
The Odysseus statue in Vathy. Credit: Jean Housen, CC BY-SA 3.0/Wikipedia

Start your visit by exploring the charming capital city of Ithaca, Vathy. The picturesque village, the largest of the island, is built amphitheatrically around a deep and sheltered bay with a narrow entrance.

Stroll along its picturesque waterfront lined with colorful buildings, cafes, and tavernas. Visit the Archaeological Museum of Ithaca to learn about the island’s rich history and mythology.

Visit the Odysseus Trail

Ithaca is famously known as the home of the legendary Greek hero Odysseus. Follow the Odysseus Trail, a hiking path that takes you through scenic landscapes and offers breathtaking views of the island. Visit the Cave of Loizos, believed to be the cave of the nymphs mentioned in Homer’s Odyssey.

Discover Ancient Sites on Ithaca

Explore the ancient ruins on Ithaca, including the archaeological site of Alalkomenes. Marvel at the remnants of ancient walls, tombs, and the impressive Cyclopean walls.Visit the ruins of the Venetian Castle of Paleocastro, offering panoramic views of the island.

Relax on Beautiful Beaches

Ithaca is home to some stunning beaches. Head to Filiatro Beach, a sandy beach with crystal-clear waters, perfect for swimming and sunbathing.

Another popular beach is Sarakiniko, known for its unique white pebbles and turquoise waters. Gidaki Beach is also worth a visit, accessible only by boat or a challenging hike.

Explore Frikes Village

Ithaca
Frikes village. Credit: Ithaca Municipality

Visit the picturesque fishing village of Frikes, located on the northeast coast of Ithaca. Wander through its narrow streets, lined with traditional houses and waterfront tavernas. Enjoy fresh seafood while admiring the colorful fishing boats in the harbor.

Discover Kioni Village

Ithaca
Kioni Village. Credit: Andrew Ogram, CC BY 3.0/Wikipedia

Another charming village to explore is Kioni, nestled in a scenic bay on the southeastern coast of Ithaca. Enjoy the traditional atmosphere as you walk along the waterfront promenade, lined with cafes and tavernas. Admire the colorful houses and yachts docked in the harbor.

Take a Boat Trip

Embark on a boat trip around the island to discover its hidden coves and secluded beaches. Enjoy the crystal-clear waters and snorkel in the turquoise sea. Many boat tours also include stops at neighboring islands, such as Meganisi and Kefalonia.

Hike to Exogi Village

Ithaca
Exogi. Credit: Ithaca Municipality

Lace up your hiking boots and trek to the hillside village of Exogi. Enjoy the scenic trail, passing through olive groves and vineyards. Once in Exogi, explore its traditional architecture, visit the church of Agios Ioannis, and take in panoramic views of the Ionian Sea.

Visit the Monastery of Kathara

Located on the highest peak of Ithaca, the Monastery of Kathara offers a serene and spiritual experience. Enjoy the tranquility of the surroundings, admire the Byzantine architecture, and take in breathtaking views of the island from the monastery.

Sample the Cuisine of Ithaca

Indulge in the flavors of Ithaca by trying the island’s delicious cuisine. Visit traditional tavernas and taste local specialties such as rabbit stew, homemade cheese, and freshly caught seafood. Don’t forget to pair your meal with a glass of local wine or the famous Ithaca honey.

Overall, Ithaca has retained a feeling of moderation, something that is on the verge of disappearing on many islands where tourism has developed further.

Above all, the island has managed to preserve its romance, the kind described by the poet Cavafy in his famous lines:

“Keep Ithaka always in your mind.

Arriving there is what you’re destined for.

But don’t hurry the journey at all.

Better if it lasts for years,

so you’re old by the time you reach the island,

wealthy with all you’ve gained on the way,

not expecting Ithaka to make you rich.

Ithaka gave you the marvelous journey.

Without her you wouldn’t have set out.

She has nothing left to give you now.

And if you find her poor, Ithaka won’t have fooled you.

Wise as you will have become, so full of experience,

you’ll have understood by then what these Ithakas mean.”

Shortest War in History Lasted 38 Minutes

Tasos Kokkinidis
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Shortest War in History Lasted 38 Minutes
Shortest war
Destroyed Palace and other buildings after the attack in the Anglo-Zanzibar War. Public Domain

One of the shortest recorded wars in history which lasted between 38 and 45 minutes was fought in 1896 between the United Kingdom and Zanzibar, located off the coast of the African mainland.

The immediate cause of the war was a succession dispute within the Sultanate of Zanzibar. The British had interests in the region and supported one of the claimants, while another claimant, who was more sympathetic to British interests, declared himself the Sultan without British approval.

In response, the British issued a request to the new Sultan, demanding that he step down.

When the ultimatum expired, the British Royal Navy bombarded the Sultan’s palace and other defensive positions. The Sultan’s forces sustained roughly 500 casualties, while only one British sailor was injured.

The Sultan received asylum in the German consulate before escaping to German East Africa (in the mainland part of present Tanzania). The British quickly placed their preferred Sultan in power at the head of a puppet government. The war marked the end of the Zanzibar Sultanate as a sovereign state and the start of a period of heavy British influence.

The entire conflict lasted between 38 and 45 minutes.

Shortest wars in modern history

In addition to the Anglo-Zanzibar War, there have been several other notably short wars in history. Some of them include:

Six-Day War (1967): The Six-Day War was a conflict between Israel and several Arab states, including Egypt, Jordan, and Syria. The war began on June 5, 1967, and ended on June 10, 1967. It lasted for just six days but had significant implications for the Middle East, as Israel gained control of the Sinai Peninsula, the West Bank, and the Golan Heights.

Chaco War (1932-1935): The Chaco War was fought between Bolivia and Paraguay over the Gran Chaco region. It lasted from 1932 to 1935 and is often considered one of the shortest wars in the 20th century, lasting approximately three years. Despite its relatively short duration, it resulted in significant casualties and territorial changes.

Sino-Indian War (1962): The Sino-Indian War was a brief border conflict between India and China that occurred in 1962. It lasted for about a month, from October 20 to November 21, 1962, and ended with a ceasefire. It primarily revolved around a territorial dispute in the Himalayan region.

Falklands (1982): The Falklands War was fought between Argentina and the United Kingdom over the disputed Falkland Islands and South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands. The war began on April 2, 1982, and ended on June 14, 1982, lasting for approximately 74 days.

Gulf (1991): The Gulf War, often known as the First Gulf War, was a conflict between a coalition led by the United States and Iraq. The combat phase, known as Operation Desert Storm, began on January 17, 1991, and ended on February 28, 1991, lasting for about six weeks.

Giannis Antetokounmpo Prepares for a Big Fat Greek Wedding

Tasos Kokkinidis
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Giannis Antetokounmpo Prepares for a Big Fat Greek Wedding
Giannis Antetokounmpo wedding
The wedding service will take place in a Greek Orthodox church, according to the report. Credit: Erik Drost,  Creative Commons Attribution 2.0

Giannis Antetokounmpo is planning his wedding with long-time girlfriend Mariah Riddlesprigger in Greece during the summer, Greek media report.

The wedding, according to an exclusive report by Alpha TV, will take place at the upscale resort of Costa Navarino near the town of Pylos in the Peloponnese.

According to the Greek TV report, hundreds of guests, including friends and members of the extensive Antetokounmpo family, are expected to attend the wedding service which will take place in a Greek Orthodox church.

Last December, Mariah Riddlesprigger, who has been romantically involved with the Greek Freak since the mid-2010s, gave air to the rumor that the couple is planning to marry.

She posted a suggestive video on her Instagram which showed her and three friends toasting with champagne flutes in a wedding dress store.

The caption read “life lately” and was met with a torrent of congratulatory comments and likes. Comments included “The First Lady of the Milwaukee Bucks,” “Shopping for a wedding dress,” and “Getting married soon.”

While not much is known about the early days of the couple’s relationship, the NBA champion has a family of five, having welcomed their sons Liam Charles and Maverick Shai in 2020 and 2021, respectively, and daughter Eva Brooke in 2023.

Together, Antetokounmpo and Riddlesprigger are a force in the philanthropic world. They launched the Charles Antetokounmpo Family Foundation in 2022 to support nonprofits in their local Milwaukee community and around the globe.

Antetokounmpo’s wedding at his favorite Greek spot

The Greek Freak is a regular visitor to this southwestern corner of Greece as he reportedly became the owner of two Costa Navarino residences along with his brother Thanasis.

In the official blog of the resort recently, he said: “There’s so much to do here, and it’s a safe environment. When you get here, you know there will be people around, but it’s good that my kids can grow up in a safe environment, go to the beach, ride their bicycles or play on the waterslides, all without me worrying too much. I’m also thinking 10 to 15 years into the future when they’ll be older.”

During a press conference for the promotion of their charity work with Milwaukee’s Diaper Mission in September, the seven-time NBA All-Star said: “Soon I’m going to be married to this beautiful woman next to me.”

Antetokounmpo was born on December 6, 1994 in Athens to Charles Antetokounmpo, a former soccer player, and Veronica Antetokounmpo, who had been involved in high jumping when she was younger. Of his four brothers who all play professional basketball, three have secured NBA championships.

Greek Frigate Destroys Houthi Drone Off the Coast of Yemen

Tasos Kokkinidis
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Greek Frigate Destroys Houthi Drone Off the Coast of Yemen
Greek frigate Houthi Yemen
The Greek frigate opened fire when the two UAVs approached within 5 nautical miles. Credit: Greek Navy

Greek frigate Hydra opened fire on two Houthi unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in the Gulf of Aden, off Yemen during the early hours of Thursday, downing one while the second changed course.

According to information, the air radar of the Greek frigate detected at 5.15 a.m. eight unmanned aerial vehicles. Two of them started moving towards a commercial ship of European interests, to which Hydra provides protection.

The Greek frigate opened fire when the two UAVs approached within 5 nautical miles.

This is the second engagement of the Hellenic Navy’s MEKO 200 frigate since joining the EU naval mission Aspides, designed to safeguard merchant ships from assaults by Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi militia.

The Hydra frigate sailed from the Salamis Naval Station on February 26, and on March 3, 2024, it was deployed in the Red Sea area and joined the European Union Operation “Aspides”, which translates to “shields” in Greek, mandated to protect shipping in the Red Sea.

The EU mission is run from a military base in Larissa in central Greece under the command of Greek navy Cdre. Vasilios Griparis.

Yemen’s Houthi rebels fire missile

On Wednesday a warship — part of a US-led coalition protecting shipping in the Mideast — intercepted an anti-ship ballistic missile fired over the Gulf of Aden, the American military said, marking a new attack by Yemen’s Houthi rebels after a recent lull.

The Houthis claimed the assault, which comes after a period of relatively few rebel attacks on shipping in the region over Israel’s ongoing war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

The explosion happened some 130 kilometers (80 miles) southeast of Djibouti in the Gulf of Aden, the British military’s United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center said in a statement.

Early Thursday, the US military’s Central Command said a coalition warship shot down the missile likely targeting the MV Yorktown, a US-flagged, owned and operated vessel with 18 US and four Greek crew members.

“There were no injuries or damage reported by US, coalition or commercial ships,” Central Command said.

Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree, a Houthi military spokesman, claimed the attack but insisted without evidence that the missile hit the Yorktown. Saree also claimed the Houthis targeted another ship in the Indian Ocean, without providing proof. The Houthis have made repeated claims that turned out to not be true during their yearslong war in Yemen.

The Houthis have launched more than 50 attacks on shipping, seized one vessel and sank another since November, according to the US Maritime Administration.

Houthi attacks have dropped in recent weeks as the rebels have been targeted by a US-led airstrike campaign in Yemen and shipping through the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden has declined because of the threat.

American officials have speculated that the rebels may be running out of weapons as a result of the US-led campaign against them and firing off drones and missiles steadily in the last months.

The Houthis have said they would continue their attacks until Israel ends its war in Gaza, which has killed more than 34,000 Palestinians there. The war began after Hamas-led militants attacked Israel on Oct. 7, killing 1,200 people and taking some 250 others hostage.

Eupalinos Tunnel, a Masterpiece of Ancient Engineering on Samos, Greece

Tasos Kokkinidis
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Eupalinos Tunnel, a Masterpiece of Ancient Engineering on Samos, Greece
Eupalinos Tunnel Samos
Built around 550 BC, it’s one of the earliest large-scale tunnel projects in history. Public Domain

Even by modern standards, the ancient Tunnel of Eupalinos on Samos, Greece is considered a marvel of engineering and craftsmanship.

Built around 550 BC, it’s one of the earliest large-scale tunnel projects in history. Over 1000 meters long, it was dug from two starting points and met remarkably close in the middle, demonstrating impressive planning and surveying techniques for the time.

Engineer Eupalinos, who designed and built it, likely used geometric principles to not only align the tunnels but also adjust their course to avoid hard rock. The tunnel functioned as an aqueduct for over 1100 years, a testament to its durability and importance to Samos’s water supply.

Eupalinos Tunnel Samos
The engineer from the city of Megara used what are now well-known principles of geometry. Credit: Zach Marshall, CC BY-SA 2.0

Even by modern standards, the Eupalinos Tunnel represents a significant feat of engineering, showcasing the ingenuity of ancient Greece.

The engineer from the city of Megara used what are now well-known principles of geometry, which were codified by Euclid several centuries later.

The tunnel is cited by Herodotus, without whom it would not have been discovered.

“I have dwelt longer upon the history of the Samians than I should otherwise have done, because they are responsible for three of the greatest building and engineering feats in the Greek world: the first is a tunnel nearly a mile long, eight feet wide and eight feet high, driven clean through the base of a hill nine hundred feet in height. The whole length of it carries a second cutting thirty feet deep and three broad, along which water from an abundant source is led through pipes into the town. This was the work of a Megarian named Eupalinus, son of Naustrophus.” (Herodotus, Histories 3.60)

Eupalinos tunnel on Samos is in the UNESCO World Heritage List

It continued to supply the town of Pythagoreion (the ancient capital of Samos) with fresh water for 1,100 years.

The tunnel took water from an inland spring, located about 52 meters (171 ft) above sea level near the modern village of Ayiades. It discharges about 400 m3 of water per day. This spring was covered over.

Two rectangular openings, each measuring 28 by 26 centimeters (11 by 10 in), feed the water into a large reservoir with a roughly elliptical ground plan. Fifteen large stone pillars support a roof of massive stone slabs. The spring was thus completely concealed from enemies. The construction of this reservoir seems to have caused the outlet of the spring to subside by several meters.

The tunnel is inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List along with the nearby Pythagoreion and Heraion of Samos, and it was designated as an International Historic Civil Engineering Landmark in 2017.

Anzac Day: When Australians and New Zealanders Fought for Greece

Tasos Kokkinidis
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Anzac Day: When Australians and New Zealanders Fought for Greece
Anzac Day
Greek soldiers welcome Australian forces during WWII. Public Domain

ANZAC Day is a day of remembrance in Australia and New Zealand that broadly commemorates all Australians and New Zealanders “who served and died in all wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations” and “the contribution and suffering of all those who have served”

It commemorates the date the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps landed at Gallipoli, Turkey on April 25, 1915, marking the first time the two armies fought together away from home for the noble ideas of freedom and democracy.

It is also a remembrance day for the 102,000 Australians who sacrificed their lives.

It was the first campaign for the Anzacs, a year after World War I (1914-1918) broke out. The aim was to capture Constantinople (now Istanbul) and kick the Ottoman Empire out of the war, as the Ottomans were allied with Germany.

The Anzacs joined Britain, France and Russia in the Gallipoli Campaign. The campaign is often considered to be the beginning of Australian and New Zealand national consciousness.

The Gallipoli campaign lasted eight months with fierce battles that cost the lives of dozens of thousands of deaths on both sides. The ANZAC casualties were 8,709 Australians dead, 2,779 New Zealanders dead, 19,441 Australians wounded and 5,212 New Zealanders wounded.

Yet the Gallipoli Battle was the only one the Ottomans won, forcing the Allies to withdraw from the area and move to Egypt.

Anzac Day
ANZAC’s fighting in the eastern Mediterranean. Public Domain

The ANZACs in Greece

Twenty-five years after Gallipoli, the Anzacs returned to the Mediterranean for World War II. Over 17,000 brave men served with distinction in the Battle of Crete and the Greek Campaign.

On the 6th of April 1941, the Battle in Greece; which was one of the first engagements of the Australian Army against the Nazis in World War II, took place.

Many of the Anzacs of Greece and Crete had also fought in Gallipoli and are known as rare “Dual Anzacs”. Several of the Anzacs of Greece and Crete came from Greek Australian migrant families.

The Greek and Crete Campaign included Australia’s highest-ranked Indigenous Australian soldier Captain Reginald Saunders, who was supported and saved by the Cretan people for nearly a year. Their human bonds are an important Australian story.

The relationship the Anzacs developed with the Greek people during the war, saved over one thousand Australian lives.

It is estimated that the descendants of Anzacs who fought in Crete and Greece together with Australians of Greek heritage, are in the order of more than 1,500,000 people.

Of the 1,686 Anzacs (Australian and New Zealand ) 646 Australians are buried or memorialized in Greece in Phaleron, Athens, Rhodes and Suda Bay in Crete. Over 50 percent of deceased Australians have never been found or are unidentified and are memorialized at the Athens Memorial.

About 8,900 ANZAC prisoners of war were captured in the Battle of Crete and Greece, representing 83 percent of the Australian soldiers captured by the Nazis in World War II.

Archbishop Makarios paid tribute to the ANZAC soldiers who fought and died for the universal values of freedom, democracy, justice, and human dignity during the First and Second World Wars, in a statement.

“The soil of our homeland – from Lemnos to Crete, and in many corners of mainland Greece and the islands, is watered with the blood of hundreds of Australian soldiers, who fought and sacrificed their lives for the universal values during the First and Second World Wars. These heroes were just some of the thousands of ANZAC men and women who, although far from their homeland and families, unselfishly defended the values of freedom, democracy, justice and human dignity,” Makarios said in his statement.

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