What Has Russia Ever Done For Greece?

Russia Greece
A common religion may not be enough to stem the deterioration of relations between Greece and Russia. Credit: Twitter/Russian Embassy in Athens

The state of ties between Greece and Russia is dire. The negative energy is evident in the words and deeds of both parties.

The Greek government ordered all its embassies abroad to refrain from inviting diplomats from Belarus and Russia to their receptions on March 25, the anniversary of the start of the War of Independence.

Maria Zakharova, the director of the information and press department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia, hit back at Greece and accused the government of Kyriakos Mitsotakis of a “boundless hostile campaign,” against Russia.

“The Mitsotakis government continues its boundless hostile campaign to erase from the collective memory everything related to Russia, sacrificing for the sake of temporary circumstances – the eternal historical, cultural, and spiritual ties between our two peoples”.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has reignited the debate in Greece on the historic relations between the two nations that share a common religion.

The destruction of towns and villages in eastern Ukraine, especially Mariupol where tens of thousands of ethnic Greeks live, has led many Greeks to rethink and re-evaluate those relations.

Greece and Russia have “strong historical ties of friendship based on shared spiritual and cultural values,” the Foreign Ministry in Athens notes on its website. But, what exactly was the role of Russia and the Soviet Union in modern Greek history?

Russia and the Greek revolution of 1821

The Greeks planned the Greek War of Independence in Ukraine, part of the Russian Empire at the time. Russia had long been hostile to the Ottoman Empire, and their support of smaller revolts—some Greek, some among other Balkan communities—in Ottoman territory only exacerbated tensions between the two powers during the 18th and 19th centuries.

The uprising was put on course with the founding in Odessa in modern Ukraine of a clandestine organization named Filiki Eteria (Friendly Society) in September 1814. The aim of the organization was Greek independence with Russian support.

One of its early outstanding members was Alexandros Ypsilantis, a prince and high-ranking officer of the Imperial Russian Cavalry.

Ypsilantis issued a declaration on October 8, 1820 announcing a revolt against the Ottoman Empire. He went on to say that the Greeks did not need foreign help as they could defeat the Turks on their own before going on to say that Russian support was assured.

Russia Greece
Alexandros Ypsilantis crosses the Pruth, by Peter von Hess, Benaki Museum, Athens. Public Domain

Ypsilantis began the revolt in the spring of 1821 in the Danubian Principalities. During his march into Moldavia and Wallachia, he was counting on Russia for support, but Alexander I not only refused to help but also condemned the revolt and discharged Ypsilantis from his army.

The Ottomans slaughtered the Sacred Band, a force mainly composed of volunteers and students of the Greek communities of Moldavia, Wallachia, and Odessa.

Diplomatic and ideological issues regarding the European balance of power and the preservation of peace on the continent following the fall of Napoleon made Russia very reluctant to support the revolutionary activity of the Greeks.

This international political climate prevented the Russian government from taking any formal action despite the ties that bound the Greek and Russian communities together.

Kapodistrias and Moscow

Ioannis Kapodistrias who served as the Foreign Minister of the Russian Empire was the first head of state of Greece.

Kapodistrias became increasingly active in support of Greek independence from the Ottoman Empire but did not succeed in obtaining Alexander’s support for the Greek revolution of 1821.

This put Kapodistrias in an untenable situation, and in 1822 he took an extended leave of absence from his position as Foreign Minister and retired to Geneva where he applied himself to supporting the Greek revolution by organizing material and moral support.

On March 30, 1827 the National Assembly of Trizina elected him Governor of the newly established Greek state. After arduous consultations in European capitals to ensure the necessary support for the Greek state, he arrived in Nafplio on January 7, 1828 and was welcomed with enthusiasm and celebrations.

Being one of the most distinguished politicians and diplomats of Europe, he championed the recognition of Greece’s sovereignty by the Great Powers and worked tirelessly to set the foundations for the nascent republic.

Russia and the Battle of Navarino

Russia played a decisive role in the Battle of Navarino, a naval battle fought on October 20, 1827, during the Greek War of Independence. Allied forces from Britain, France, and Russia decisively defeated Ottoman and Egyptian forces attempting to suppress the Greeks, thereby inching closer to Greek independence.

Russia Greece
Russians at the naval battle of Navarino. Public Domain

The sinking of the Ottomans’ Mediterranean fleet saved the fledgling Greek Republic from collapse. However, it required two additional military interventions by Russia, in the form of the Russo-Turkish War of 1828–1829, and a French expeditionary force to the Peloponnese to force the withdrawal of Ottoman forces from Central and Southern Greece and finally secure Greek independence.

Russia and the Asia Minor Catastrophe

A century later, Soviet Russia and Kemalist Turkey were temporarily united by the struggle against a common enemy: The Greeks and Armenians who were supported by the Western powers.

Russia’s valuable aid to Kemal was a key factor in the Asia Minor catastrophe suffered by Greece. It was a cataclysmic event of such enormous importance for modern Greek history that it shaped generation upon generation after 1922, adding yet another unforgettable—and unutterably tragic—milestone to Greece’s long history.

On April 26, 1920, Mustafa Kemal formally approached Vladimir Lenin with a proposal for mutual recognition and  request for military assistance. The Bolsheviks responded positively.

According to Russia Beyond, in the period from 1920 to 1922, Soviet Russia sent Atatürk almost 80 million lire (twice the outlays of the country’s Ministry of Defense), supplied 39,000 rifles, 327 machine guns, 147,000 shells, machinery and raw materials for the production of cartridges, and two destroyers, namely Zhivoy (Alive) and Zhutky (Terrible). Under the stewardship of Soviet experts, two gunpowder factories were built in Turkey.

Russian military aid played a key role in allowing Atatürk’s troops to defeat their two main adversaries: the Democratic Republic of Armenia to the east and the Greek army to the west.

A group of Soviet military experts under the leadership of one of the most prominent Red Army commanders, Mikhail Frunze, took part in the victorious offensive against the Greeks. Aralov, who likewise had extensive combat experience, shared his knowledge of guerrilla warfare with Atatürk’s officers. At one point, even the future Marshal of the Soviet Union Kliment Voroshilov served as an adviser to Kemal, Russia Beyond notes.

Russia and the Civil War in Greece

The role of Moscow and Stalin in the tragic Greek Civil War that transpired between 1943 to 1949 was decisive. Despite concluding the Yalta Agreement with the United States and Britain which specified that Greece would belong to the West, Stalin allowed and encouraged the outbreak of the Civil War.

The Yalta agreement, which remained secret until the 1960s and was fully respected by all three powers, had made the Civil War a pointless disaster.

Russia not only did not aid its Communist allies in Greece but simply allowed the tragedy to unfold. The Civil War left Greece in ruins and in even greater economic distress than it had been following the end of the German occupation.

Additionally, it divided Greeks well into the ensuing decades with both sides vilifying their opponents.

Greece Russia
The military prison camp of Makronisos opened during the civil war for communist or left-sympathizers. Public Domain

Thousands languished in prison for many years or were sent into internal exile on the islands of Gyaros and Makronisos. Many others sought refuge in communist countries or emigrated to Australia, Germany, the US, the UK, and Canada among other places.

Russia-Greece relations today

Recently, Russia’s Foreign Ministry warned Greece that relations between the two nations that “share the same faith” have been “reduced to almost nothing.”

Maria Zakharova warned that the “historical parallels” between Greece and Russia were in danger of becoming “a solid double line between us.”

Greece has joined its EU and NATO allies in condemning the Russian invasion of Ukraine and has sent military and humanitarian aid to Kyiv.

Relations reached a nadir when Greece expelled 12 Russian diplomats in April 2022.

Greece is also concerned about the close ties between Turkey and Russia. Moscow has been providing Ankara with weapons, including the controversial S400 missile system and has been financing a nuclear power plant built in Turkey.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Russian President Vladimir Putin remotely inaugurated the construction of a third nuclear reactor at the Akkuyu power plant in southern Turkey in 2021.

Erdogan said the plant would launch Turkey into the ”league of nuclear energy countries” and called it a “symbol of Turkish-Russian cooperation.”

Russia is building Turkey’s first nuclear power plant on the Mediterranean coast in Mersin province. The two countries signed a cooperation agreement in 2010 and began construction in 2018.

Greece-Russia common faith, divided Church

Greece and Russia are both Orthodox nations. Their common faith has helped cultural, political, and economic relations throughout history.

Saints Cyril and Methodius, brothers born in Thessaloniki, were responsible for establishing Greek Orthodoxy in Russia and Ukraine.

However, the Russian Church’s stance on the Ukraine invasion has alienated many Greeks. Recently, Archbishop Elpidophoros of the United States slammed Russia’s Orthodox Church for supporting the invasion of Ukraine, signaling out its head Patriarch Kirill.

“Responsibility rests squarely on the leadership of the Russian Church and clearly on Patriarch Kirill,” Elpidophoros had said.

Patriarch Kirill of Moscow has supported the war, which he claimed in a sermon was a struggle to defend “human civilization” against the “sin” of “gay-pride parades.”

The schism between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople began on October 15, 2018 when the former unilaterally severed full communion with the latter.

The resolution was taken in response to a decision of the Holy Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople of October 11, 2018, confirming its intentions to grant autocephaly (independence) to the Eastern Orthodox Church in Ukraine.

Baltimore Bridge Collapses After Being Struck by Ship

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Baltimore bridge
A vessel crashed into the bridge. Credit: @sentdefender/X

A bridge in Baltimore, Maryland has partially collapsed after being struck by a container ship early on Tuesday morning.

The Francis Scott Key Bridge crumbled after a vessel crashed into it, prompting the structure to fall apart into the Patapsco River shortly before 1:30 AM.

Multiple vehicles fell into the water. Authorities were trying to rescue at least seven people. “All lanes closed both directions for incident on I-695 Key Bridge. Traffic is being detoured,” the Maryland Transportation Authority wrote on X.

Emergency responders were searching for at least seven people believed to be in the water, Kevin Cartwright, director of communications for the Baltimore Fire Department, told The Associated Press.

He said agencies received 911 calls around 1:30 AM, reporting a vessel traveling outbound from Baltimore that had struck a column on the bridge, causing it to collapse. Multiple vehicles were on the bridge at the time, including one the size of a tractor-trailer.

“Our focus right now is trying to rescue and recover these people,” Cartwright said. He said it’s too early to know how many people were affected but called the collapse a “developing mass casualty event.”

Cartwright said it appears there are “some cargo or retainers hanging from the bridge,” creating unsafe and unstable conditions and that emergency responders are operating cautiously as a result.

The bridge was the longest bridge in the Baltimore metropolitan area

Baltimore bridge
The bridge was 8,636 feet (2,632 m) long and carried an estimated 11.5 million vehicles annually. Credit: Patorjk , CC BY-SA 4.0/Wikipedia

The Francis Scott Key Bridge, also known originally as the Outer Harbor Crossing (until it was renamed in 1977) or simply as the Key Bridge or Beltway Bridge, was a steel arch-shaped continuous through truss bridge spanning the lower Patapsco River and outer Baltimore Harbor / Port carrying Maryland Route 695 in Baltimore, Maryland.

The main span of 1,200 feet (366 m) was the third longest span of any continuous truss in the world. It was also the longest bridge in the Baltimore metropolitan area.

The bridge was opened in March 1977 and is named for the author of the American national anthem, the poem originally called “The Defence of Fort McHenry,” written in September 1814 and later set to music. It was entitled the “Star Spangled Banner” by Frederick and Georgetown lawyer /amateur poet Francis Scott Key (1779–1843).

The bridge was the outermost of three toll crossings of Baltimore’s Harbor (two tunnels and one bridge). Upon completion, the bridge structure and its approaches became the final links in Interstate 695 (the “Baltimore Beltway”), completing a two decades long project.

The bridge is 8,636 feet (2,632 m) long and carries an estimated 11.5 million vehicles annually. It is a designated hazardous materials truck route, as HAZMATs are prohibited in the Baltimore Harbor and Fort McHenry tunnels.

Greece’s Mitsotakis Faces No-Confidence Vote in Parliament

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis
Mitsotakis is being challenged for his government’s handling of the Tempe disaster. Credit: AMNA

Greece’s conservative government of Kyriakos Mitsotakis is facing a no-confidence vote in parliament after five opposition parties joined forces to table the motion last week. The ruling New Democracy has accepted the challenge.

The vote was triggered by allegations that audio recordings related to the deadly Tempe train collision were tampered with before being leaked to the media.

It was first the socialist PASOK that demanded a non-confidence vote, while main opposition SYRIZA asked for a no-confidence vote, the resignation of the Prime Minister, and early elections.

The no-confidence vote is supported also by New Left, communist KKE and nationalist Greek Solution.

Allegations of tampered audio spark political turmoil in Greece

The move came after a report in the newspaper To Vima on Sunday claimed that conversations between the Larissa station master—the one closest to the site of the Tempe train crash—the trains’ drivers, and other persons had been stitched together and offered to pro-government media to give the impression the deadly accident was due exclusively to human error.

“It is infuriating that at a time when 57 people lost their lives in an unjust and tragic way, when their families were grieving and millions of Greeks were thinking that their own children could be on the fatal train, some persons had as priority to remove the conversations of the station master in question, to alter them and feed them to friendly media to boost the narrative of human error,” PASOK Leader Nikos Androulakis said.

Main opposition leader Stefanos Kasselakis of SYRIZA-Progressive Alliance called on Prime Minister Mitsotakis to resign “so Greece can be led in an orderly manner to democratic elections.”

Government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis expressed his surprise at how soon the opposition had reacted to the newspaper’s publication and responded that justice had the entire original conversations before the accident, provided through the Hellenic Police criminal unit.

“It is now becoming obvious that this antigovernment campaign based on a national tragedy and using the cynical manipulation of pain was nothing but part of an effort to destabilize Greece itself,” Marinakis said.

What do the parties imply? he asked. “That there is no personal responsibility but it’s ‘generally’ the government’s fault?” Marinakis said. “Greece will not return to times of uncertainty and blackmail by powerful interests and party motives.”

No-confidence vote against Mitsotakis set to begin

According to the Greek constitution, the submission of a motion of no confidence against the government needs the signatures of 1/6 of the 300 deputies in total, that is 50 MPs’ signatures.

The debate on the motion of confidence or no confidence begins two days after the submission of the relevant motion, unless the government, in the case of a motion of no confidence, requests that the debate begin immediately, which cannot be extended beyond three days from its start.

The vote on the motion of confidence or no-confidence is held immediately after the debate ends, but it can be postponed for forty-eight hours if the government so requests.

A motion of no confidence is accepted only if an absolute majority of the entire number of deputies approves it.

Even if all opposition parties join forces, their 142 MPs are not enough to pass the motion—unless, some ND lawmakers vote in favor or abstain.

Related: Maria Karystianou, the ‘Mother of Tempe’, Upends Greek Politics

The Hidden Treasures of Olympus, the Mountain of the Greek Gods

Olympus, mountain of Greek Gods
The summit of Mount Olympus. Credit: Loris Lote, CC BY-SA 4.0/Wikipedia

Many people come to visit Greece with a mission in mind – to visit Olympus, the mountain of the ancient Greek gods — and tour the nearby town of Litochoro and the sights nearby.

Mount Olympus is one of the great treasures of Greece. It is famous not only because of Greek mythology but because of its great beauty and the challenging climbs it offers to adventurers.

For untold thousands of years, it has inspired hundreds of stories and myths.

The peak of Olympus was reached for the first time on August 2, 1913, by the Swiss climbing team of Frédéric Boissonnas and Daniel Baud-Bovy, who were assisted by a mountain guide called Christos Kakkalos.

Kakkalos remained the official guide for Olympus until his death in 1976.

It is estimated that around 10,000 people climb Olympus every year, with most of them only reaching as far as one of its secondary peaks, called Skolio.

Whether you want to hike the trails of Mount Olympus or experience the untouched nature of the area, let’s take a look at some of the amazing experiences waiting for you.

Tourists often stay in Litochoro, since almost all climbing trails for Mount Olympus begin in the southwest part of that town. One popular hike is between Prionia to Litochoro. It has a number of river crossings and bridges in surroundings of pristine nature.

Olympus waterfalls

There are other activities for you to check out near Litohoro as well, including Orlias Waterfalls. These peaceful, cool waterfalls are the perfect place to cool down amidst the backdrop of the pine, cedar and fir trees of the forests of Mount Olympus.

Olympus, the mountain of Gods
Waterfalls at Olympus. Credit: Kostas1144 , CC BY-SA 4.0/Wikimedia Commons

If going to the beach and swimming in clear, sparkling blue water sounds relaxing to you then check out the coastal area known as Pláka or Pláka Litochoro, which is located just east of the town of Litochoro.

You will find everything you need to enjoy yourself in Pláka Litochoro from seaside resorts from hotels and campsites to restaurants and beach bars.

If you are interested in the history of Litochoro, check out the Old Monastery of St. Dionysius. This Greek Orthodox monastery on the slopes of Mount Olympus comprises ruins of the original monastery, which was first established in 1542.

Olympus
Old Monastery of St. Dionysius. Credit: Juergen-Olymp , CC BY-SA 4.0/Wikipedia

It has been destroyed many times, the last time by the Nazis during WWII in 1943.

Another interesting fact is that the first recorded mention of the town of Litochoro is in an account of a visit by Saint Dionysios to Mount Olympus way back in the 16th century.

You can visit the unique chapel of Saint Dionysios, which is located some 20 minutes from the monastery along the Enipeas River.

Olympus, the mountain of Greek Gods
The unique chapel of Saint Dionysios, is tucked into a mountain cave. Public Domain

Also, be sure to visit two important ancient sites in Litochoro: Dion for its archaeological park and museum, and Leivithra, with its acropolis and Leivithra Park.

Where to stay near Olympus

Litohoro Olympus Resort Villas and Spas
Litohoro Olympus Resort Villas and Spas

The Litohoro Olympus Resort Villas and Spas, located in Pláka Litochoro, is a one-of-a-kind boutique-style hotel.

Located very close to the famous Litochoro Village, with all its attractions, here you will find accommodations ranging from deluxe rooms with sea views to VIP villas with private gardens and pools. It is a great place for couples, weddings or families with children.

While staying at the Litohoro Olympus Resort Villas and Spas, you will enjoy the best of Greek and Mediterranean cuisine at their own restaurant, Elia.

There is also a private spa, Aphrodite, where you will find many different therapies for your relaxation and rejuvenation along with a choice of the best beauty treatments and work-out facilities.

Truman Doctrine: How America Helped Greece Avoid Falling into Soviet Orbit

Truman Doctrine Greece
Harry S. Truman (middle) with British Prime Minister Clement Attlee (left) and Joseph Stalin at the Potsdam Conference (July 17 to August 2, 1945). Public Domain

The 1947 Truman Doctrine was crucial for Greece to be able to avoid falling into the sphere of Soviet influence while the country was ravaged by the Civil War (1946-1949).

With the Truman Doctrine, United States President Harry S. Truman established that the US would provide political, military and economic assistance to all democratic nations under threat from external or internal authoritarian forces.

The decision was announced to Congress by the US President on March 12, 1947 with  its primary goal being to contain Soviet geopolitical expansion during the Cold War.

In his speech, Truman emphasized the broader consequences of a failure to protect democracy in Greece and Turkey.

The U.S. Congress responded to the message by promptly appropriating $400 million to support Greece and Turkey, as the latter was pressured by the Soviets to allow base and transit rights through the Turkish Straits.

The Truman Doctrine further developed on July 4, 1948, when the US President pledged to contain the communist uprisings in Greece and Turkey.

Greece after World War II

The liberation of Greece from German occupation on October 12, 1944 was celebrated wildly by the people. However, the country itself was in terrible shape on many other fronts.

Joy was replaced by the new specter of famine, misery, decay, corruption, public health issues and the disintegration of the economy.

Previous to the liberation, the leader of the government-in-exile, liberal Georgios Papandreou, was jailed by the Axis powers in 1942. He then fled to Egypt, where he became the Prime Minister of the exiled government, and later to Italy, in preparation for its return to Greece.

On September 26, 1944 the leadership of the Greek Resistance forces (EAM/ELAS and EDES,) the government in exile and the British Command in the Middle East met in Italy and signed the Caserta Agreement.

Under the Agreement all resistance forces in Greece were placed under the command of a British officer, General Ronald Scobie.

The Greek resistance forces were the National Liberation Front (EAM) and its military body the Greek People’s Liberation Army (ELAS), which was controlled by the Greek Communist Party (KKE).

The National Republican Greek League (EDES) was the non-communist resistance force against the Nazis.

The fight between the ideologies of the left and right (EAM/ELAS against EDES) had already begun in 1943 with scattered clashes.

The internecine fighting among the Greek people had made foreign mediation necessary. The Truman Doctrine would later prove crucial for post-war Greece in this respect.

The Greek Civil War

In the spring of 1944, the exiled government and resistance forces reached an agreement to form a national unity government that included six EAM-affiliated ministers.

However, on the first of December, 1944, Scobie, along with Papandreou’s government, gave an order to resistance groups to disarm by December 10. This led to a number of members of EAM, many of whom were affiliated with the communist party, to resign from the nascent government before even formally joining it on December 2.

In response, EAM called for a general strike and called for a reorganization of the military wing of the group, ELAS.

On December 3, a pro-EAM rally ended with British forces and Greek gendarmes opening fire against the crowd, killing 28 demonstrators and injuring dozens.

The result was the Dekemvriana insurrection, a precursor to the Civil War, with battles in Athens that lasted 33 days and resulted in the defeat of the EAM. On February 12, 1945 EAM surrendered its guns with the signing of the Treaty of Varkiza.

One year later, the Greek Civil War erupted when former ELAS partisans in hiding organized the Democratic Army of Greece (DSE), controlled by the KKE.

By that time, the neighboring communist states of Albania, Yugoslavia and Bulgaria were providing logistical support and armaments from the Soviet Union, especially to the forces operating in the north of Greece.

The Greek government forces, the National Army — with the crucial aid of the British army — fought against the partisans, with interim defeats from 1946 to 1948.

However, in February 1947, Britain formally requested for the United States to take over its role in supporting the royalist Greek government.

With financial aid provided by the Truman Doctrine, from 1947 and on — after the British withdrew —  the Greek army forces won the war in 1949.

The efforts of the KKE to bring Greece under the sphere of Soviet influence like its neighboring countries, were exactly what the Truman Doctrine aimed to stop.

In his speech to Congress promoting the Truman Doctrine, the US President stressed:

“I believe it must be the policy of the United States to support free peoples who are resisting attempted subjugation by armed minorities or by outside pressures.

I believe that we must assist free peoples to work out their own destinies in their own way.

I believe that our help should be primarily through economic and financial aid which is essential to economic stability and orderly political processes.”

Truman argued that a communist victory in the Greek Civil War would also endanger political stability in Turkey, which would consequently undermine political stability in the Middle East.

The Truman Doctrine After the Civil War

Greece actually emerged from the Civil War in much worse shape than it had at the end of the Nazi Occupation. Restoration was a giant task as the two sides continued to despise each other.

Thousands of leftists were killed, tortured or sent to camps on the barren islands of Gyaros, Makronisos and Leros.

On the winning side, the Truman Doctrine was the beginning of a new era not only in Greek-American relations, but also a turning point in the entire course of post-war life internationally.

Greece further established its place in the West by joining NATO in February 1952.

Nevertheless, political polarization continued in Greece culminating in the July 1965 riots following the resignation of the Georgios Papandreou government and the subsequent appointment of successive prime ministers — unsuccessfully — by King Constantine II.

The political turmoil continued, leading to the military coup d’état of April, 21 1967 and the subsequent rightist regime that lasted seven years.

To this day, Greeks remain polarized as to what consequences a victory of the leftists have meant for the country.

In a 2008 Gallup poll, Greeks were asked “whether it was better that the right wing won the Civil War.” Forty-three percent responded that it was better for Greece that the right wing won, 13 percent responded that it would have been better if the left had won, 20 percent responded “neither” and 24 percent did not respond.

 

New Find May Confirm That Amazons, Ancient Female Warriors, Existed

achilles amazon penthesilea
Achilles and the Amazon Penthesilea (on the ground) as depicted on the Bassae Frieze. Credit: Sarah Murray/Wikimedia Commons/ CC BY 2.0

Excavations of bronze age burial sites have uncovered battle-scarred female archers, leading some archaeologists to posit that Amazons, the famed female warriors of Greek legend who are largely believed to be mythical, may have really existed.

In Greek mythology, the Amazons were warrior women living northeast of ancient Greece during the late Bronze Age, between approximately 1900 and 1200 BC. The source of the Amazonian myths is Classical Greek literature in which they were first mentioned by Homer.

As one of his 12 labors, Hercules has to get hold of the magic girdle of the Amazonian queen Hippolyte, and Achilles killed another Amazonian queen, Penthesilea, only to fall madly in love with her as her gorgeous face emerged from the helmet.

Hercules and the Amazon Queen Hippolyte by Vincenzo de' Rossi, Salone dei Cinquecento, Palazzo Vecchio.
Hercules and the Amazon Queen Hippolyte by Vincenzo de’ Rossi, Salone dei Cinquecento, Palazzo Vecchio. Credit: ER’s Eyes – Our planet is beautiful. CC BY 2.0/flickr

Despite being shrouded by mystery and myth, archaeologists are beginning to find more and more evidence for the existence of these fierce female warriors, the latest piece coming from excavations of graves within a Bronze Age necropolis in Nakhchivan in Azerbaijan. This revealed that women had been buried with weapons such as razor-sharp arrowheads, a bronze dagger, and a mace, as well as jewelry.

Following the discovery, archaeologists have concluded there may have been Amazon women who lived 4,000 years ago, and these ferocious women were known for their male-free society and aptitude on the battlefield, especially with a bow and arrow.

“It shows that there’s truth behind the myths and legends of ancient Greece,” historian Bettany Hughes told The Observer.

Historian Bettany Hughes.
Historian Bettany Hughes. Credit: Sounds Right. CC BY 2.0/flickr

Were the Amazons real?

Hughes went on to say that this recent evidence was all the more significant when linked with earlier discoveries. In 2019, the remains of four female warriors buried with arrowheads and spears were uncovered in Russia, and in 2017, Armenian archaeologists found the remains of a woman who seemed to have died from battle wounds, as an arrowhead was buried in her leg. In the early 1990s, the remains of a woman buried with a dagger were discovered near the Kazakhstan border.

“A [civilization] isn’t made up of a single grave,” Hughes told The Observer. “If we’re talking about a culture that crosses the Caucasus and the Steppe, which is what all the ancients said, obviously you need other remains.”

Some of the skeletons show women had used bows and arrows extensively. Hughes observed that “their fingers are warped because they’re using arrows so much. Changes on the finger joints wouldn’t just happen from hunting. That is some sustained, big practice. What’s very exciting is that a lot of the bone evidence is also showing clear evidence of sustained time in the saddle. Women’s pelvises are basically opened up because they’re riding horses. [Their] bones are just shaped by their lifestyle.”

Moreover, she noted that the jewelry includes carnelian necklaces, saying, “Carnelian is a semi-precious stone. You see it often when people are high priestesses or goddesses. So it’s a mark of women with status—as are mace heads.”

The fruits of the excavation will be revealed in a new Channel 4 series in April, called Bettany Hughes’ Treasures of the World, wherein one of the episodes, “Silk Roads and the Caucasus,” centers on an area of the world that saw the coming and going of cultures and civilizations for hundreds of years and where trade routes linked the continents of Asia and Europe.

In the documentary, Hughes says of the Amazon finds, “Slowly you’re getting these brilliant bits of evidence that are coming out of the earth. That’s often the way, with the really best stories.”

The archaeologist takes a trip to the mountain village of Khinalig in the Greater Caucasus, the highest inhabited place in Europe. There has been a settlement there since the bronze age, and she asked a handful of its inhabitants about the Amazons. “They said, ‘all of our grandmothers fought. The men were all away with the herds. The women always used to cover their faces to fight,’ which is exactly what the ancient sources said, so that people didn’t know whether they were women or men.”

Greek Island’s Only 2 Students Joined by Athens Kids for Parade

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Agathonisi Greek island , student parade
This year, the only two students from the Greek island of Agathonisi were astonished to see children from a primary school of Athens join them in the Greek Independence Day parade. Credit: Henrik Bach Nielsen licensed under CC BY 2.0

Parents and students from a primary school in the metropolitan area of Athens traveled to Agathonisi, a small island in Greece’s Aegean Sea, to participate in the island’s Greek Independence Day parade alongside the only two students from the local school of Agathonisi.

This commendable initiative showcased solidarity and unity among different student communities. This fosters the creation of new friendships and the exchange of experiences as part of the “Where Angels Exist” initiative.

Greek island Agathonisi’s only two students parade together with children from Athens

The excursion was organized with the kind cooperation of the Municipality of Kos, which had planned an official reception for the young visitors and their families. The itinerary included visits to Agathonisi’s historical landmarks, such as the ancient Asclepieion. The children attained exceptional educational and experiential opportunities.

Initiated in 2019, “Where Angels Exist” aims to enrich children’s experiences by cultivating compassion and community spirit. Through such endeavors, students not only gain practical skills in assisting and supporting one another but also internalize the values of solidarity and humanity.

This emotionally resonant initiative garners support from local businesses as well as media attention. It underscores the potency of community engagement and widespread backing for such endeavors. The excursion to Agathonisi became an unforgettable experience for the children, augmenting their educational journey with hands-on learning and fostering new connections.

As the day unfolded, participants reflected on the poignant backdrop of Agathonisi’s demographic challenges. With only 150 inhabitants and just two students on the island, the Athens students’ presence in the parade was profoundly significant.

Greece’s problem of low birth rates

In recent years, Greece has witnessed a decline in its population, reaching 10,413,982 as of January 1, 2023. This reflects a 0.5 percent decrease from 2022. Notably, only 13.4 percent of the population is composed of individuals aged zero to fourteen years old. This highlights the repercussions of the nation’s low birth rate. Furthermore, those between the ages of fifteen and sixty-four comprise 63.7 percent of the population. People who are sixty-five and older constitute 22.9 percent of the nation’s residents.

Moreover, many island residents have relocated to major cities. This is due to inadequate infrastructure and limited opportunities, exacerbating the demographic strain on areas like Agathonisi.

Agathonisi

Agathonisi is a small island located at the northernmost point of the Dodecanese archipelago in Greece. In ancient times, Agathonisi was known as Psetoussa (Ancient Greek: Ψετούσσα). During the summer season, many people visit the island to explore the secluded beaches and the two quaint villages, Megalo Chorio, or “Big Village,” and Mikro Chorio, meaning “Small Village.” The Municipality of Agathonisi includes an archipelago of uninhabited offshore islets, including Glaros, Kouneli, Nera, and Psathonisio.

Basketball Legend Nick Galis Honored by Consulate of Greece in Chicago

Honoring ceremony of Greek basketball legend Nick Galis for his contribution to sports.
Honoring ceremony of Greek basketball legend Nick Galis for his contribution to sports. Credit: Consulate General of Greece in Chicago.

The Consulate General of Greece in Chicago honored Greek basketball legend Nick Galis for his contribution to Greek sports, with his presence in the US city being the reason he was not able to attend the celebration of his former Greek basketball team, Aris, for the club’s 110 years of history.

Nick Galis attended the event, hosted by the Consulate General of Greece in Chicago, to commemorate Greek Independence Day. The emblematic “Gangster” of Greek basketball was honored for his significant contributions to sports, alongside a large gathering of expatriates.

Nick Galis’ history in basketball

Nick Galis is from Union City, N.J. and Seton Hall. He averaged 27.5 points as a senior in 1978-79 and was third in the nation behind Lawrence Butler of Idaho State and an Indiana State player named Larry Bird.

The Celtics drafted Galis in the fourth round, 68th overall, in 1979, but he sprained an ankle in training camp, missed time, and was cut before the start of the season. The child of Greek immigrants decided to try Europe.

Nick Galis would play for two teams in Greece, Aris Thessaloniki and Panathinaikos, from 1979 to 1994. Eight Greek League championships, five MVPs there, and several prestigious individual accolades would follow. He was the leading scorer in Euroleague for eight seasons.

The shooting guard was named one of the top 50 players in the history of FIBA, basketball’s international governing body, in a 1991 survey and one of the 50 greatest EuroLeague contributors in 2008.

He was inducted to the NBA Hall of Fame in 2017, and in a four-minute-long acceptance speech, the Greek veteran made a short, emotional retrospect of his career. He said that he was not disappointed when he was drafted for the Boston Celtics but couldn’t secure a contract with the NBA legends, because he was happy to play in his native Greece.

His most touching story involved a woman stopping him during a walk in Thessaloniki. He thought she just wanted his autograph, but she wanted to thank him for leading her addict son away from drugs and into basketball.

An eight-time champion in the Greek Basket League, Nick Galis transformed basketball in his adopted city of Thessaloniki while becoming the superstar athlete every young player tried to emulate.

During his senior season at Seton Hall, the New Jersey native ranked third in the nation with a scoring average of 27.5 points per game. Nick Galis, the son of Greek immigrants, signed with ARIS of Thessaloniki in 1979 after being drafted by the Boston Celtics.

Then, in 1983, the five-time All-European selection helped ARIS run off seven straight league titles. The prolific scorer attacked the interior, confounding the opposing team’s defense and defying the limits of his small frame.

Nick Galis led Greece to a gold medal in the European Championships in 1987 and was named MVP, solidifying his status as an icon that contributed mightily to the popularity of the game.

UN Security Council Votes for Gaza Ceasefire-US Abstains

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UN Security Council votes for ceasefire in Gaza, US abstains
UN Security Council votes for ceasefire in Gaza, US abstains. Credit: UN Women Gallery. CC BY 2.0/flickr

For the first time, the UN Security Council has called for an “immediate ceasefire” in Gaza. The US abstained rather than using its veto. This was in a move away from its previous position.

The resolution also demands the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages. Ten elected members of the council wrote the resolution. Mozambique’s representative presented it for consideration in the chamber.

The Security Council has been unable to reach an agreement since the war began in October. It has failed to align on a ceasefire call. However, now, fourteen members of the council have voted for the resolution, while the US has abstained.

What the US abstaining from UN ceasefire vote means for its relationship with Israel

The move by the US is indicative of increasing divergence between the nation and its ally, Israel, over the Middle Eastern country’s offensive in Gaza. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has canceled plans for his top aides, Ron Dermer and Tzachi Hanegbi, to visit Washington, according to reports.

The Israeli prime minister’s office released a statement. It accused the US of harming Israel’s offensive efforts and attempts to free hostages. This is through the US decision not to use a veto to block the resolution, The Times of Israel reported.

This US decision marks a “clear retreat from the consistent US position in the Security Council since the beginning of the war.” It also “gives Hamas hope that international pressure will allow them to get a ceasefire without releasing…hostages,” the statement reads.

In contrast, the US had previously blocked resolutions calling for a ceasefire. It had claimed this move would be wrong while delicate negotiations for a truce and hostage releases were ongoing between Israel and Hamas.

However, the US has grown increasingly critical of Israel over alleged escalating death tolls in Gaza. It is reported over 32,000 people—mostly women and children—have been killed by Israel’s offensive. This is according to the enclave’s Hamas-run health ministry.

The US has also urged Israel to offer more help in getting vital aid delivered to Gaza. It is reported the entire population is suffering from severe levels of food insecurity. The UN previously accused Israel of blocking aid. Yet Israel has blamed the UN for this. Israel argues the UN has failed to carry out distributions.

The war began on October 7th. This was after Hamas, the Palestinian Islamic terrorist group governing Gaza, carried out an unprecedented attack on Israel. It killed around 1,200 people, according to Israeli tallies, and took 253 hostages into Gaza.

Like the US, Russia and China had also previously vetoed texts. During this most recent vote, Russia attempted to amend the text by restoring it to an earlier draft that included the word “permanent.” Nevertheless, the bid failed.

Archaeological Site of Messene, Greece, to Get Visitor-Friendly Upgrades

Artists' impression of the visitor upgrades to the ancient Messene site in the south west Peloponnese.
Artists’ impression of the visitor upgrades to the ancient Greek archaeological site of Messene, southwest Peloponnese. Credit: Greek Ministry of Culture.

The Central Archaeological Council of Greece has approved visitor-friendly upgrades at the renowned archaeological site of ancient Messene in the southwest Peloponnese, it was announced on Monday.

Ancient Messene was excavated by the late Petros Themelis, a Greek classical archaeologist and professor of the University of Crete, who was keen to make the site available to the public while maintaining it environmentally-friendly. This is a vision the newly approved plans purport to conform to.

Its ancient theater, like that of Epidaurus, is open every summer for shows and musical performances and sees flocks of people every year, greatly contributing to local development and tourism in the Peloponnese in general.

Asklepion, ancient Messene, greece
View of the ancient Asclepeion at Messene archaeological site. Credit: wikimedia commons / Rossignol Benoît CC BY 3.0

Culture Minister Lina Mendoni said in a statement that the government’s priorities center on the continuous upgrading of services to the guests of archaeological sites and museums and in making these readily accessible. In Ancient Messene, she said, “Our goal is that interventions, landscaping, and constructions are as mild as possible—that they do not create an optical, aesthetic, or any other problem for the monuments, but promote their functional nature, and support their recognition and overall, highlight the archaeological site.”

The Antiquities Ephorate of Messenia carried out salvage excavations in 2023, Mendoni explained, to identify remains where the entrances (north and south) will be re-planned. The sections that were discovered may possibly relate to Late Classical-Early Hellenistic eras, and based on the features of the Hippodamian urban layout of the site, may belong to a cluster of private homes.

What are the planned upgrades at the Ancient Messene site?

ancient Messene
The odeon of Ancient Messene in Greece. Credit: wikimedia commons / Herbert Ortner CC BY 2.5

Among the upgrades approved in the northern entrance section are the shutting down of the old ticketing area and the parking spaces, which stretched to the entrance of the ancient site. The ticketing area will be moved elsewhere, facilitating visitors’ movements, while the parking spaces will be reconstructed near the new archaeological museum. The museum design is still in the planning stages.

Access will be improved with ramps, while clusters of trees will be planted to provide more shade. No existing trees will be removed.

The new visitors’ store will afford a view of the site, while the bathroom, health space, and storage area will be partly below ground. A new elevator will make the cafe accessible to visitors who are physically impaired.

At the southern entrance, a 98-square-meter building will be constructed partly below ground and serve personnel of the site, while a semi-open corridor will lead to a staircase which will take people to the site.

The refurbishment projects at the north and south entrances of the site will reportedly be ready for visitors by the end of 2025.