A Liberty ship crossing the Atlantic. Public Domain
The mass-produced Liberty ships that played a significant role during WWII eventually helped Greece become the world’s leading maritime power.
Although British in concept, the design was adopted by the United States for its simple, low-cost construction. Mass-produced on an unprecedented scale, the Liberty ship came to symbolize U.S. wartime industrial output.
The class was created in response to British requests for transport to take the place of lost ships. Between 1941 and 1945, eighteen American shipyards constructed 2,710 Liberty ships, or an average of three ships every two days. This is undoubtedly the greatest number of ships ever built to a single design.
After the end of the war, the American government decided to sell the ships. A few far-sighted Greek entrepreneurs took the opportunity to buy 98 of them.
Shipping tycoons such as John Theodoracopoulos, Aristotle Onassis, Stavros Niarchos, Stavros George Livanos, the Goulandris brothers and the Andreadis family bought dozens of them each, building a Greek fleet that soon ruled global waters.
Onassis, in particular, was known for his keen business acumen in the shipping industry. He acquired numerous Liberty ships and converted them for commercial use. These ships were utilized in various ways, including transporting goods such as oil, grain, and other commodities across the globe.
Onassis and other Greek businessmen leveraged the versatility and affordability of Liberty ships to build their shipping empires. They played a crucial role in the post-war reconstruction efforts and the expansion of global trade by providing vital transportation infrastructure.
Greeks called them “blessed ships” because thanks to the American Liberty ships the Greek economy received a much-needed kiss of life. Around 4,000 Greek seafarers found employment in those vessels and were not forced to emigrate during these difficult times.
Along with the Greek-flagged ships, more Liberty ships were bought with the flags of Honduras, Panama and the United Kingdom, which were acquired by Onassis.
Liberty ships enhance Greece-US relationship
Marine historian and researcher Giorgos M. Foustanos who founded the greekshippingmiracle.org online museum, said recently that a unique relationship was formed between Greece and the US, thanks to the acquisition of the Liberty ships.
Foustanos claimed that the selling of the Liberty ships to Greece by the US at the specific time (1946), was for reasons of geopolitical balance. It was the time the Greek Civil War was about to erupt and no one knew what the outcome would be.
Beyond that, the author said, the relationship between shipowners and the US government was a two-way street, because the Greek shipowners contributed not only to the Greek but also to the American economy; since from 1948 until 1960 they made large tanker orders from US shipyards.
One of them cost the shipowner 20 million dollars, an amount almost equivalent to half of the total money the Americans received for the sale of 98 Liberty ships.
Furthermore; Foustanos said, that while many of them were bought by French, Italian, British and Norwegian shipowners, only the Greeks were able to build a fleet, that within a few decades, dominated and still dominates the seas, today.
The biggest town and capital of the island is Argostoli. Credit: IDS.photos , CC BY-SA 2.0/Wikipedia
Kefalonia, the largest of the Ionian islands, with its emerald-colored mountains, secluded coves and underground lakes, has recently been crowned the best Greek island by Which? magazine.
Abundant sandy beaches, scenery uninterrupted by high-rise buildings and access to much-sought-after solitude sealed the deal for the island, off the west coast of mainland Greece, in the consumer body’s annual survey.
Which? asked more than 1,000 visitors to rate the 10 main Greek islands on factors including beaches, attractions, scenery and value for money.
Kefalonia, the setting for Louis de Bernières’ novel Captain Corelli’s Mandolin and a major location for the 2001 film starring Nicolas Cage and Penélope Cruz, was the only island to score five stars in the peace and quiet category, gaining an overall 85%.
The Greek island has a rich history and a long cultural tradition. The green of its mountains blends with the blue of the water making it truly unique and a beloved destination. Pine, cypress, and olive trees cover Mt. Ainos’ peak, while at its foot you’ll come across vineyards where the popular Kefalonian Robola wine variety is produced.
The biggest town and capital of the island is Argostoli. It is a town built around a hill, with a city-like life, filled with various types of entertainment: shops for you shopping lovers, cafes to sit back and relax, bars and beaches nearby. Although Argostoli was totally ruined by the earthquake in 1953, there are still sites that depict the old Venetian architecture.
Lixouri is the second biggest town of the island. It is a peaceful town that is ideal for those who love peace and quiet. You can enjoy your coffee, your pastry sweets and the local cuisine at the port and at the square with the famous ficus plant.
Enchanting Fiscardo. Public Domain
Fiscardo survived the destructive earthquake of 1953. Most of the buildings preserve their traditional local color that transports you back in time: the grand mansions with their elegant balconies, the old two-storey houses, the dark red-tiled rooftops, the green mountainsides, the blue of the sea and the overall scenery is enchanting.
In the north of the island, the picturesque Assos village is built above cliffs, among pine trees and cypresses. Sparsely built with traditional color, in an impressive landscape, Assos fascinates with its peace and simplicity.
Apart from the wonderful waters of Assos, at a nearby distance don’t miss Myrtos beach as well as many other picturesque small bays that wait to be discovered.
Kefalonia has some of the best beaches in Greece, with the likes of Myrtos regularly cracking top lists worldwide for their crystal-clear, blue-green water and dramatic settings.
There are so many, in fact, that choosing one can seem daunting. Some are long and sandy, others have crunchy, fine pebbles; some are fully organized with facilities and tavernas and others are totally remote; and some are easy to get to and others more challenging.
The Cave Lake of Melissani
Credit: Matt Sims, CC-by-2.0/Wikipedia
The cave lake of Melissani is a wonder of nature and one of the most impressive sights on Kefalonia. It is located in Karavomylos, an area close to Sami town.
Melissani was discovered in 1951 and following construction works in order to make it accessible, it has become one of the most famous tourist attractions.
The magic of the landscape is partly because the roof of the cave has collapsed opening up a view of the sky. If you visit during the day when the sun is high, it shines down on the lake and makes the light blue waters luminesce, giving off a magical soothing feeling.
Ainos National Park
The highest mountain in Kefalonia is Ainos, whose peak reaches 1.628 meters, and is the only national park to be found on a Greek Island.
The fir tree grows natively on this mountain on Kefalonia. The black needles of the Kefalonian fir tree give an impressive dark color to the mountain. On the cliffs of the mountain, you might also be lucky enough to see small wild horses. The mountain is ideal for excursions and hiking amid verdant nature, with paths that vary in difficulty.
Gastronomy of Kefalonia
Kefalonian cuisine is renowned. The island produces yellow cheese, feta cheese, olive oil, honey and local meats. It is also home to a large number of delicious recipes; native cookbooks that were passed down from one generation to the next.
Kefalonian meat pie is a perennial favorite for its rich, well-spiced flavors, using bay leaf, garlic, cinnamon, nutmeg and marjoram. Usually, it’s prepared with a mixture of veal and lamb, which are cooked in a tomato wine sauce with vegetables like carrots, potato, and leeks, then it’s all baked into a pie.
Chicken tserepa is another local favorite. The tserepa is a traditional clay cooking vessel used over charcoal. Customarily the chicken for the dish is marinated overnight in a heady brew of oregano, smashed garlic, salt, pepper and olive oil. Then it’s baked in the tserepa with tomato sauce, wine, lemon juice and potatoes, and comes out tender and delicious.
In an agreement sponsored by the US Embassy in Greece, Greek environmental organization Ecogenia will collaborate with California Conservation Corps. Credit: Ecogenia
Greek and US environmental groups recently announced their collaboration in a project to protect Mt. Olympus, the highest mountain in Greece where the ancient Gods resided.
Established in 2021, Ecogenia’s goal is to become a national youth corps, where thousands of young Greeks are empowered to contribute to climate action and build a resilient Greek society.
“From California to Olympus” project
The “From California to Olympus” project, is focusing on mobilizing young people to build it climate resilience at local level in the country, in a period when the climate crisis and natural disasters are a matter of the highest priority for Greece
The program has as its central pillar the two-month educational mission of a group of volunteers from the California Conservation Corps, to exchange knowhow and obtain training on preparedness in the field, such as creating fire protection zones, cleaning flammable biomass and education of the local community regarding prevention in the areas around the Olympus National Park, in central Macedonia.
The project includes the creation and dissemination of a practical manual for how municipal and regional authorities can utilize the model of “social service” and in turn create local project teams for project resilience, specifically around prevention and relief from disasters.
The Olympus National Park, in central Macedonia, will be the focus of Greek and US volunteers. Credit: Ecogenia
With an emphasis on the new generation and the acquisition of green skills that meet the needs of the labor market for the green transition, the program will culminate in a Green Jobs Fair, in collaboration with Deree, the American College of Greece, where companies from the private sector and agencies will have the opportunity to chat with new talent in the field of sustainable development.
“In a particularly difficult period, such as the one we are going through in the wake of the disasters of last summer, the cooperation with the US Embassy will strengthen both the programmatic and strategic work of Ecogenia so that it continues to empower local communities through climate resilience, and of including the new generation at the forefront of climate action,” said co-founder of the organization, Erika Spagakou.
In an era of successive crises, the fight against the climate crisis is a significant opportunity for global strategic partnerships that drive innovation, attract new jobs and investments, and improve everyone’s quality of life, Ecogenia noted.
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.
El Greco’s “Portrait of an Old Man,” believed to be a self-portrait, 1595. Credit: Public Domain
The Greek painter El Greco (October 1, 1541 – April 7, 1614) is one of the best known artists in the entire history of Western art, and his unique, romantic and awe-inspiring works have influenced a great number of painters over the past five centuries.
Even though his Byzantine-inspired style was very specific and personal, his work had an impact on Realist, Impressionist, Cubist, and Abstract painters.
Picasso, Van Gogh, Cezanne, and even Jackson Pollock sought inspiration from the masterpieces of the Greek painter, who was well-known in his time but fell intro relative obscurity until collectors and critics “rediscovered” him in the 18th century.
Due to his shockingly modern and forward-thinking style, the brilliant Greek painter is also known as the “Grandfather of Expressionism.”
El Greco began his career painting holy icons
El Greco (“The Greek”), as the Italians dubbed him, was born Domenikos Theotokopoulos on October 1, 1541 in Heraklion, Crete. However, the oil painter spent the most part of his life in Italy and in Spain, where he created his best-known works.
Theotokopoulos was trained first as a painter, or “writer,” of holy icons. His non-naturalistic style, so very different from the visually softer, Western European style, soon made him stand out from all others working at the time.
“I paint because the spirits whisper madly inside my head,” he was once quoted as saying. Theotokopoulos moved to Venice in 1567, a natural move as Crete was Venetian territory at the time.
Once there, the 26-year-old painter soon mastered the current style of Renaissance painting. His works were in fact narratives, the vast majority of his themes religious. In 1570 he moved to Rome, where he lived and worked until 1576.
El Greco’s “Purification of the Temple,” early 1570’s. Credit: Public Domain.
It was a time when the influences of Michelangelo, Raphael and Da Vinci were paramount in the art world. Yet El Greco stayed true to his own, unique artistic vision, not following the style of the acknowledged masters.
Characteristically, the fact that he criticized the works of Michelangelo, a figure revered in Rome, cost him the acceptance of his own work and led to his ostracization from the rest of the art world.
“You must study the Masters but guard the original style that beats within your soul and put to the sword those who would try to steal it,” Theotokopoulos was once quoted as saying, in his usual dramatic manner.
Indeed, his style and palette were completely unique, and shocked the art world of the day. He painted elongated, twisted forms, using exaggerated, unreal colors, thus creating works which were unmistakably his own.
In essence, he rejected the established perceptions of what art should be, and no other artist living at the time had dared to do that.
Theotokopoulos, like so many other artists perhaps having been born far before his time, paid the price for adhering to his own vision, with the result that he was to all intents and purposes ousted from Rome.
The artist moves to Spain, follows his own, unique style
So in 1576, El Greco chose to make his fateful move to Spain, where he made a bid to win the patronage of King Phillip II, to no avail. But when he moved to Toledo, he finally found the recognition he deserved and he quickly made the city his home.
In Toledo, this artistic genius’ work finally won the admiration of his peers as well as art lovers. It was in that city where El Greco created many of his very finest masterpieces.
He also found a group of friends and colleagues who understood his vision, and was finally able to make a profitable living as an artist.
El Greco was soon commissioned to paint three altarpieces by the dean of the Toledo Cathedral. The paintings, which were to be for the Church of Santo Domingo el Antiguo, turned out to be some of the largest masterpieces the artist created.
“The Disrobing of Christ,” El Greco, 1579. Located in the sacristy of the Toledo Cathedral. Credit: Public Domain
During that time his spiritual nature truly came to fruition in his work. “I was created by the all-powerful God to fill the universe with my masterpieces,” the Greek painter once said, in one of his less humble moments.
However, while painting these works, El Greco was paid less than what he had been hoping for, so he brought a legal case to court, asking only that he be paid a fair wage for his work.
The dispute caused a rift in the group of friends who had befriended him in Toledo, and the consequences of bringing this legal case permanently damaged his career. Because of his legal action, he never received another worthwhile commission from the religious authorities, and was in fact never hired to paint in any church for the rest of his life.
However, the Greek master painter did earn commissions from private individuals and associations until the end of his career.
El Greco’s “The Burial of Count Orgaz,” from 1586. Credit: Public Domain
According to the opinion of many art critics and artists, El Greco’s best painting was “The Burial of Count Orgaz,” which was commissioned by the parish priest of Santo Tome in Toledo in 1586.
The work, which is divided into two parts, combining the heavenly and the earthly, is considered by many to be the most beautiful religious painting of all time.
The painting tells the story of the burial ceremony of the pious philanthropist Count Orgaz by the Cardinal and a host of other clerics. During the ceremony, the heavens split open and the mourners witnessed a sky filled with black and white and starkly-colored images of Jesus, the Virgin Mary, St. John, and other saints and angels.
The works of El Greco were appreciated after his time
Once fully established in Toledo, El Greco completed many commissions from a range of patrons and lived there for the rest of his life. However, the decade from 1597 to 1607 was the most prolific for the Greek master, and he created the bulk of his known work during that period.
From 1585 onward to the end of his life, El Greco lived in a complex consisting of three apartments, with twenty-four rooms, which belonged to the Marquis de Villena. He passed away on April 7, 1614, at the age of 73.
The great master was survived by his son Jorge Manuel, born in 1578, also a painter, who had worked under his father and continued to imitate his compositions for many years after he inherited the studio.
El Greco’s “Concert of Angels,” from 1610. Credit: Public Domain
As tastes and styles changed, El Greco’s art was not widely appreciated by the generation after his death. However, in the eighteenth century his work was re-evaluated with the arrival of the Romantic movement.
Writers, artists and critics realized in El Greco a gifted, misunderstood soul who created great art which was in a style before its time. Some even called him the precursor of the Romantic movement itself.
By the nineteenth century, El Greco’s work was fully recognized by all, including artists, critics and art lovers, establishing his name forever in the world pantheon of truly great, influential artists.
In 2014, Greece celebrated “The Year of El Greco,” in commemoration, 400 years after his death, of its brilliant, visionary master of oil painting. Many of his important works can be seen today in Madrid’s Prado Museum.
Ruins of the ancient city of Troy. Credit: /Wikimedia Commons/
The Trojan War is one of the most famous events in Greek mythology. It was a mighty, ten-year war between the Greeks and the Trojans. But what many people do not know is that Troy itself is actually Greek – at least according to what the mythology tells us.
The Greek origin of the Troad
The story of Troy’s origin begins with a man named Teucer. He would have lived around two centuries before the Trojan War. In the Aeneid, the Roman writer Virgil tells us that Teucer was originally from Crete. By this point, some two centuries before the Trojan War, Crete was a Greek island (previously Minoan civilization flourished.) The Greek historian Dionysius of Halicarnassus presents a slightly different version, in which Teucer came from Attica in Greece. In either case, Teucer was definitely Greek, whether from Greece itself or from Crete.
According to Virgil, Teucer and numerous of his companions left Crete during a time of famine and settled in northwest Anatolia, near the Scamander River – the region that later came to be known as the Troad in honour of Troy. He thus founded a dynasty there.
After Teucer set up his kingdom, another founding figure arrived. This was Dardanus. The historian Dionysius explains that he came from Arcadia in Greece. After arriving in the area, Dardanus married the daughter of Teucer. A record from the fourth century BCE supports this, stating that Dardanus married into ‘the royal house of Crete’. Since Teucer did not have a son, Dardanus inherited his kingdom and became the new ruler of the Troad.
The Greek origin of the city of Troy
Achilles in his chariot rides over the body of the slain Hector”. A scene from the Iliad. Credit: Antonio Raffaele Calliano / Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 4.0
Dardanus’s grandson was named Tros. He inherited the kingdom and named it ‘Troy’ after himself. The inhabitants of the Troad – the descendants of Teucer and his Cretan companions, as well as the descendants of Dardanus – thus came to be known as Trojans. However, the actual city of Troy had not yet been built. It seems that the chief city of the people was still the city built by Dardanus at the foot of Mount Ida.
Tros had a son named Ilus. While he was still young, he went to the nearby kingdom of Phrygia and won a wrestling competition. As part of his reward, the king of Phrygia gave him a cow and asked him to found a city wherever the cow decided to lay down.
Following this instruction, Ilus founded a city which he called Ilios in honour of himself. Because Ilios was the new chief city of the Trojans, the name ‘Troy’ was applied to it. This is why the city was known both as ‘Ilios’ and as ‘Troy’.
Homer’s account of the Trojan War in the Iliadsupports the Greek origin of Troy. He presents the Trojans as speaking the same language as the Greeks, having the same culture as the Greeks, and worshipping the same gods as the Greeks. The historian Dionysius went so far as to say that ‘the Trojans were a nation as truly Greek as any’.
The Archaeology of Bronze Age Troy
The Bronze Age city of Troy was called ‘Wilusa’ in Hittite records. This is clearly a form of the name ‘Ilios’ (Greek: Ἴλιος). Troy was also called “Ilion”. The name Ilion is used by Homer, the author of the Iliad and the Odyssey, interchangeably with Troy. In fact that is the reason that the epic poem is named “Iliad”. Beyond this, scholars do not know very much about Bronze Age Troy. It was obviously a powerful city, but almost no written records have survived from it. The only written records that have been found are written in Luwian.
However, it is interesting to note that one Hittite record refers to the king of Wilusa as being a man named Alaksandu. Most scholars agree that ‘Alaksandu’ is a Hittite spelling of the Greek name ‘Alexandros’. This lends some support to the idea that the ruling class of Troy had a Greek origin.
One of the primary characters in the Iliad is called Alexandros (and occasionally Paris). He was a descendant of the royal family of the city of Troy, more specific the son of the king of Troy, Priam. Alexandros, also known as Paris was the person who took Helen and triggered the Trojan war
Some scholars suggest that the Alaksandu of Hittite records might have had a Greek name only because of being the son of a Greek concubine, a slave woman captured by the king of Wilusa.
The Archaeology of Dark Age Troy
It is much more probable that the legendary accounts of Troy being founded by Greek settlers came from distorted memories of much more recent events in the history of Troy. After a destruction in c. 950 BCE, Troy experienced a period of near-total abandonment. About half a century later, in c. 900 BCE, Greeks started settling the region of Troy.
It was still very weak and poorly inhabited at this point. About one century later, in c. 800 BCE, notable construction work occurred at Troy. If the Greek settlement of the area in c. 900 BCE corresponds to the legendary arrival of Teucer and then Dardanus, then the building work in c. 800 BCE would logically correspond to the ‘founding’ of the city of Troy by Ilus, the great-grandson of Dardanus.
Greek mythology tells us that Ilus had a son named Laomedon. He was responsible for fortifying Troy with large defensive walls. Interestingly, just half a century after the building work in c. 800 BCE, archaeology reveals that there was additional construction work, including fortification work in particular.
David Giving Thanks to God After the Death of Goliath, Charles Errard the Younger, 18th century. Credit: Wikipedia Commons, Public domain
Ancient Palestine has been the site of numerous wars for thousands of years. In the Late Bronze Age and Early Iron Age, it was the site of wars between the Philistines and the Israelites. Many of these wars are recorded in the Bible. However, there is also some support for them from independent sources, such as Assyrian records. What do we know about these wars between the Israelites and the Philistines?
Samson’s war against the Philistines
One notable character from the Bible was Samson. This Israelite was famously strong, due to his vow to God involving leaving his hair long and not cutting it. According to the Bible Book of Judges, which relates events between the 15th and the 12th centuries BCE, Samson fought numerous battles against the Philistines. Samson appears to have lived near the end of the period covered by the Book of Judges, placing him probably in the 13th or 12th century.
Samson’s battles against the Philistines were not conventional ones. Due to his incredible strength, he did not need an army of Israelites. He single-handedly fought against large groups of Philistines. Perhaps the most notable occasion was when he took the jawbone of a donkey and used it to kill 1000 Philistine soldiers.
Samson does not appear in any extra-Biblical source from ancient times. Therefore, scholars debate his existence. However, it is notable that a seal was found in ancient Israel which appears to depict a man and a lion. It dates from the 12th century BCE and was found near Samson’s home territory. Due to the similarity between this and the famous story of Samson killing a lion, some scholars take it as evidence that he really existed and that his battles against the Philistines may have really happened.
The Philistine Capture of the Ark of the Covenant
The next most notable interaction between the Philistines and the Israelites occurred later in the 12th century BCE. Based on archaeological and written evidence, we know that there was another wave of Philistine arrivals in Palestine during this century. Perhaps this led to the subsequent increased intensities between the Israelites and Philistines that we find in the Bible.
In the area of Aphek and Ebenezer, the Philistines killed four thousand Israelites. Interestingly, archaeologists have found Philistine pottery at Aphek (modern-day Tel Afek). This pottery dates to the Early Iron Age. Archaeologists have also found what appears to be an Israelite village just next to Aphek. This was destroyed around 1050 BCE. Although the dates do not perfectly line up, this destruction layer may well correspond to this Biblical battle.
The Israelites responded by bringing the sacred Ark of the Covenant to the battlefield. This backfired immensely. Many more thousands of Israelites died, and the Philistines captured the Ark. They held onto it for seven months before the Israelites finally got it back.
David und Goliath, Osmar Schindler, 1888. Credit: Wikipedia Commons, Public domain
Goliath the Philistine
In the late 12th century, the Israelites became a monarchy, with King Saul ruling over them. The Philistines had grown very powerful over the Israelites by this time. When Saul became king, he quickly engaged in war against them. Initially, Saul was very successful. However, the Philistines still had a strong presence in the land.
Shortly after Saul’s initial victory, the Philistines brought their army to meet the Israelites at the Valley of Elah. In line with their Aegean background, they chose a strong warrior to engage in single combat with the best Israelite warrior. The Philistine soldier was a man named Goliath.
Famously, a teenager named David had the courage to go and face Goliath. He used his sling to strike Goliath in the forehead with a stone. The Israelites then pursued the fleeing Philistines back to their own territories on the coast. Saul, and later David, continued warring against the Philistines for years thereafter.
Interestingly, archaeologists found an inscription from the Philistine city of Gath, the home of Goliath, dating to around 1000 BCE. This inscription, called the Tell es-Safi inscription, contains two personal names. They are spelled ‘LWT’ and ‘WLT’ (this form of writing did not use vowels). Many scholars have suggested a connection between this inscription and Goliath, whose name was written as ‘GLYT’ in the Bible.
Hezekiah’s War Against the Philistines
The Israelites engaged in sporadic warfare against the Philistines over the centuries. As far as the Biblical record is concerned, the final war between those two nations occurred in the time of King Hezekiah. He was a powerful and prominent king of the Two-Tribe Kingdom of Judah in the eighth century BCE. The Bible describes his reign in extensive detail, and he also appears in Assyrian records.
In the Bible Book of Isaiah, there is a prophecy from the year of the death of King Ahaz, Hezekiah’s father. It served as a warning to the Philistines that their retribution was coming. In the account of Hezekiah’s life, the Bible explains that he ‘defeated the Philistines clear to Gaza and its territories, from watchtower to fortified city.’
Interestingly, there is extra-Biblical support for this war between the Israelites and the Philistines. The ancient annals of King Sennacherib of Assyria indicate that the Philistines were subject to Hezekiah. According to these, the people of Ekron, a Philistine city, had handed over their king, Padi, to Hezekiah.
Hezekiah held King Padi in prison until King Sennacherib compelled Hezekiah to release him during his siege of Jerusalem. This appears to have been the end of direct warfare between the Israelites and the Philistines.
Astypalaia is home to the world’s first homosexual erotic art. Credit: Asiomou, CC BY-SA 4.0/Wikipedia
The world’s oldest erotic graffiti was discovered in 2014 in Astypalaia, a remote Greek island of the Dodecanese. It dates from the early 6th and late 5th century B.C.
One of the inscriptions depicts two phalluses, carved on the flat surface of a rock in the region of Vathy. Also carved on the side of the same rock, archeologists found the name “DION” (ΔΙΩΝ).
There was another inscription which was found 52 meters above sea level. “Nikasitimos was here mounting Timiona” (Νικασίτιμος οἶφε Τιμίονα), noted the inscription.
Even though sexual relations between men were not taboo in ancient Greece, this specific inscription sheds some light on various other parts of the ancient Greeks’ “private lives.”
The prominent position where the two ancient Greeks expressed their erotic passion and the amount of manmade infrastructures that were found around it, point towards the possibility of a building complex in the area, a fact that would, in part, justify the lovers’ literacy level.
The discovery of inscriptions on a small island like Astypalaia indicates that not only scholars and people of the academic community were able to write.
The graffiti is written in the Greek alphabet, which was first developed in the 8th century BCE. It is written in a style of writing called “rustic,” which was common in the 6th and 5th centuries BCE.
It has been preserved in good condition because it is carved into a limestone rock, which is a very durable material.
The oldest erotic graffiti in Greece is “triumphalist”
The archaeologist who discovered the graffiti was Dr. Andreas Vlachopoulos, a specialist in prehistoric archaeology.
“They were what I would call triumphant inscriptions,” said the Princeton-trained professor who found them while introducing students to the ancient island world of the Aegean.
“They claimed their own space in large letters that not only expressed sexual desire but talked about the act of sex itself,” he told The Guardian. “And that is very, very rare.”
“By using the verb in the past continuous [tense], it clearly says that these two men were making love over a long period, emphasizing the sexual act in a way that is highly unusual in erotic artwork,” he added.
Found overlooking the Bay of Vathy on the island’s northwestern tip, the inscription has led the archaeologist to believe that soldiers may once have been garrisoned in the area.
Astypalaia has a rich ancient history. The island was colonized by Megara, or possibly Epidaurus, and its governing system and buildings are known from numerous inscriptions.
A unique graveyard has been excavated by the Greek archaeological service. At least 2,700 newborns and small children below the age of two were buried in ceramic pots between approximately 750 BC and Roman times.
In the following video, Dr. Andreas Vlachopoulos explains the significance of the finding in Astyplaia.
According to some, the extraterrestrial worked at Area 51 for some years. Credit: Video screenshot/History Channel
Conspiracy theories have created J. Rod the Alien —an extraterrestrial person— who is said to have been employed by the US government in Area 51.
The J. Rod tales initially surfaced in the 1980s, and several novels and TV series have helped to promote them.
According to these tales, J. Rod is a tall, slender alien with large, almond-shaped eyes. He is said to have been a survivor of a UFO crash in Kingman, Arizona, in 1953.
After the crash, J. Rod was taken to Area 51, where he helped scientists and engineers to reverse engineer the alien technology. He is also said to have shared knowledge about his home planet and the universe with the U.S. government.
A recent documentary on the History Channel renewed interest in the tale and sparked further speculation and conspiracy theories.
According to alien author Preston Dennett, the extraterrestrial “allegedly worked at Area 51 for some years.” He went on, “J Rod’s job was to assist in reverse engineering technology that was reportedly from the 1953 Kingman UFO crash. Giving the technology that we need today. Most of the electronic devices we are using today.”
J. Rod the alien and the claims
The stories of J. Rod are based on the accounts of several individuals, including military personnel and civilian contractors who worked at Area 51. These individuals claim to have seen J. Rod with their own eyes and to have spoken with him.
Bill Uhouse, a former Navy pilot who claimed to have researched the UFO that crashed in Kingman, was stationed at Area 51 in the middle of the 1960s.
In an interview from 2000, he claimed to have had direct communication with J Rod and stated that the alien “sounded just like you” and “tried to answer questions.” The alien spoke perfect English, not an animatronic android or a CGI, the alien was real.
Dan Burisch, another individual, says he was employed as a microbiologist to care for J Rod and ensure he stayed well. He said the government made him take tissue samples from the captured alien and claimed they became friends during the two years he worked on the project.
1953 Kingman, Arizona UFO crash
The Kingman UFO crash is one of the “best verified” in the United States, Dennett also claimed.
Conspiracies say the object crashed on May 21, 1953, eight miles northeast of the Kingman Airport in the Arizona desert.
Government officials supposedly sent a team of around 40 scientists to the crash site to investigate, and they allegedly found a UFO.
“The object was described as metallic, 30 feet wide and three and a half feet high, oval-shaped with portholes,” the author said.
“Inside were two to four, four-foot-tall humanoids, deceased according to most sources, with large eyes and wearing metallic suits.”
Engineer Arthur Stancil was allegedly one of the ones who helped recover the UFO and concluded it struck the ground at 1,200 mph but was strangely undamaged.
“The object was not built by anything, obviously, that we know about on Earth,” he said. “It was more like a tear-drop-shaped cigar … like a streamlined cigar.”
What happened to the alien?
The whereabouts of J. Rod are unknown. There is no concrete evidence to support his existence, and experts believe that he is a hoax.
One theory espoused by UFO enthusiasts is that J. Rod is still alive and living in seclusion. Some others suggest that he was eventually released from Area 51 and allowed to return to his home planet.
It is also possible that he remains under the control of the U.S. government, perhaps in a secret facility or on a remote island, some believe.
Another possibility is that J. Rod is deceased. Some accounts suggest that he died while working at Area 51, while others claim that he was killed by the government.
Archaeologists recently unlocked a 2,600-year-old Etruscan tomb that had stayed sealed for centuries. This ancient tomb was found in Vulci, a once prosperous Etruscan city in central Italy.
The tomb has two rooms and is still in excellent condition. Inside the tomb, the archaeologists found rare and valuable items and remains.
The Vulci Foundation, in collaboration with the Soprintendenza Archeologia, Belle Arti e Paesaggio for the province of Viterbo and southern Etruria, is leading the excavation efforts.
Etruscan tomb contained ancient Greek wine amphorae
Opening the large double-chamber tomb was no easy feat. The entrance was blocked by numerous tufa stone slabs, and they had to be carefully removed one by one.
The two chambers, dating back to the 7th century BC, were carefully carved into the soft volcanic tufa, as reported by Siviaggia. The first chamber contained four Etruscan transport amphorae meant for storing wine made locally.
On the other hand, the second chamber revealed a variety of amphorae and ceramics that came from the eastern Greek areas, which included Ionia and Corinth. Additionally, there were locally made items, including the unique black bucchero pottery.
Inside Chamber B, experts believe the two amphorae came from the Greek island of Chios, a place famous for producing the most highly valued wine in the Greco-Roman world. This chamber also held a tripod bowl and various iron objects, as shown in images shared by the Municipality of Montalto di Castro on Facebook.
Etruscan ritual of the ‘last meal’
Etruria, the central region of the Etruscan civilization, had fertile land perfect for growing vineyards. The Etruscans were skilled at cultivating and making high-quality wines.
The tomb, often called the ‘Tomb of the Silver Hands,’ has revealed a tablecloth used in the Etruscan tradition of the “last meal.” The way the different objects are arranged strongly indicates that this burial place was meant for an affluent Etruscan family.
Simona Carosi, the archaeologist in charge of the Archaeological and Nature Park, highlights how this discovery uniquely brings back to life the ancient funerary feast as it was organized by the Etruscans many centuries ago.
The Osteria burial ground has a track record of uncovering remarkable archaeological wonders. These include the mysterious ‘Tomb of the Sun and the Moon,’ the ‘Panathenaic’ tomb, the ‘Carved Ceilings,’ and a grand burial site known as the ‘Tomb of the Sphinx.’ All of these date back to the 6th century BC.
The opening ceremony in the Panathenaic Stadium of Athens. Public Domain
On April 6, 1896, the first modern Olympic games began in Athens, Greece with the opening ceremony in the Panathenaic Stadium, the only stadium in the world built entirely of marble.
Athens was chosen to honor the birthplace of the ancient Olympic Games, which were held in Olympia, Greece, from at least 776 BC until they were abolished in 393 AD. Reviving the Olympic Games in Athens was seen as a way to pay homage to this ancient tradition.
The late 19th century saw a resurgence of interest in classical Greek culture and ideals across Europe, known as the Greek revival movement. Holding the first modern Olympics in Athens was a way to celebrate this cultural revival and showcase Greece’s historical importance.
Cover of the official report of the 1896 Athens Summer Olympics. Often listed as the poster of the Games. Public Domain
Greece had recently gained independence from the Ottoman Empire in the 19th century and was eager to assert its newfound national identity on the world stage. Hosting the first modern Olympics provided Greece with an opportunity to showcase its progress and promote itself as a modern nation rooted in ancient heritage.
The idea of reviving the Olympic Games was proposed by Pierre de Coubertin, a French educator and historian, who sought to promote international understanding and cooperation through sport. By choosing Athens as the host city, the organizers aimed to involve Greece and other nations in this vision of global unity.
In the lead-up to the 1896 Olympics, Athens underwent significant preparations to host the games. New sports facilities were constructed, including the Panathenaic Stadium, which was refurbished to host the opening and closing ceremonies.
The Games were funded by the legacies of Evangelis Zappas and his cousin Konstantinos Zappas and by George Averoff who had been specifically requested by the Greek government, through Crown Prince Constantine, to sponsor the second refurbishment of the Panathenaic Stadium.
The Greek government did this despite the cost of refurbishing the stadium in marble already being funded in full by Evangelis Zappas forty years earlier.
Public Domain
Athletes participating in the first modern Olympic Games in Athens
There were 241 athletes and 14 nationalities competing in the games. Except for the American Team, every participant was European or a resident of Europe.
Among the athletes competing, Greeks made up over 65 percent. Silver medals were awarded to the winners, while copper medals were handed to the runners-up. The IOC changed them to gold and silver medals retroactively, while third-place competitors received bronze.
Medals were won by ten of the 14 participating countries. The United States won eleven gold medals, while Greece, the host country, took home the most medals, 47.
Athletes warm up for the 100-meter race in the Athens Olympics. Public Domain
The Greeks’ most memorable moment was their fellow countryman Spyros Louis’ marathon triumph. Louis was celebrated as a national hero.
As he approached the finish line at the Panathenaic Stadium 80,000 Greek fans rose to their feet in celebration and the runner had to actually be escorted to safety by King George I’s royal entourage.
Louis recalled the moments after his victory on April 10, 1896: “That hour was something unimaginable and it still appears to me in my memory like a dream … Twigs and flowers were raining down on me. Everybody was calling out my name and throwing their hats in the air …”
Spyros Louis (on the right) triumphed in the Marathon run. Public Domain
Seven venues were used for the 1896 Summer Olympics. Panathenaic Stadium was the main venue, hosting four of the nine sports contested. The city of Marathon served as host to the marathon event and the individual road race events. Swimming was held in the Bay of Zea, fencing at the Zappeion, sport shooting at Kallithea, and tennis at the Athens Lawn Tennis Club.
The Games were a great success
The 1896 Olympics were regarded as a great success. The Games had the largest international participation of any sporting event to that date. The Panathenaic Stadium overflowed with the largest crowd ever to watch a sporting event.
After the Games, Coubertin and the IOC were petitioned by several prominent figures, including Greece’s King George and some of the American competitors in Athens, to hold all the following Games in Athens.
However, the 1900 Summer Olympics were already planned for Paris and, except the Intercalated Games of 1906, the Olympics did not return to Greece until the 2004 Summer Olympics, 108 years later.
