Blue Whales: The Return of the Giants

Tasos Kokkinidis
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Blue Whales: The Return of the Giants
Blue Whales
Blue Whales: Return of the Giants (2023) is a new documentary taking a deep dive into this remarkable story of survival and rebuilding. Public Domain

Blue whales, the largest animals to have ever lived on Earth (including dinosaurs) were on the brink of extinction a few decades ago.

The species had been a huge target for whalers hunting their valuable blubber, especially during the early 1900s following the invention of mechanized harpoons and fast-traveling factory ships.

In the 1930–31 season alone, 30,000 blue whales perished, according to the International Whaling Commission (IWC).

In response to this mass slaughter, the IWC banned the hunting of blue whales in 1966. Under increased protection, the species that had nearly disappeared has been steadily recovering over the past few decades.

Blue Whales: Return of the Giants (2023) is a new documentary taking a deep dive into this remarkable story of survival and rebuilding, now on view daily in 2D at the American Museum of Natural History.

Andy Serkis narrates the trailer for Blue Whales: Return of the Giants, a documentary that details the inspirational story of the world’s biggest animals and their journey to recovery.

The film follows two scientific expeditions: one is a high-risk mission in search of a missing population of blue whales that haven’t been seen in 50 years; and the other joins Diane Gendron, aka the “Blue Whale Whisperer,” and her team as they eavesdrop on whale conversations and explore the role the animals play in the health of Earth’s oceans.

Director and producer Hugh Pearson’s “lifelong passion for blue whales that borders on obsession” is what pushed him to bring this hopeful story to life.

The number of blue whales slowly increase

“The ongoing recovery of the blue whales from the brink of extinction is such a good news story,” Pearson said.

“Just 40 years ago, scientists genuinely feared that we had driven the largest animal ever to have lived to total extinction. It’s estimated that only a few thousand individuals survived from a global population of 300,000, but fortunately, that proved enough.”

He explained that blue whale numbers are slowly increasing, and the global population is estimated to be about 15,000 — a tiny fraction of their historic numbers, though they’re increasing every year.

“In places such as off the Pacific coast of Mexico and California, the population has recovered to pre-whaling numbers,” the director continued. “And now it’s possible for people to see blue whales on whale-watching trips from shore, which is fantastic.”

Serkis narrates the documentary and explained that he finds Blue Whales: Return of the Giants to be “incredibly uplifting and powerful.” The award-winning actor also shared that the whales “inspire us to have hope” and is surprised more isn’t known about them.

“Everyone assumes that because blue whales are the largest mammals on the planet, we should know a lot about them, but in fact, that’s not the case,” he said in a statement.

“Learning what scientists are trying to do, to understand their behaviors, has been a real education for me. We need to find out more about creatures like these because they inspire us to have hope. The film is a wonderful marriage of storytelling, fact-giving and entertainment.”

The Most Beloved Greek Desserts of Them All

Anna Wichmann
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The Most Beloved Greek Desserts of Them All
greek dessert
The delectable Galaktoboureko, a famous Greek dessert. Credit: Nostimo/Greek Reporter

Greece is known around the world for its delicious cuisine, and Greek desserts are no exception to this rule.

Classic Greek flavors such as orange, cinnamon, honey, and sesame make Greek sweets some of the most delectable in the world.

Revani: A semolina cake from northern Greece

greek desserts
Revani is a beloved Greek dessert. Credit: Akerbeltz/Wikimedia Commons/ CC BY-SA 3.0

Revani, also known as ravani or samali, is a delicious semolina-based cake that is soaked in sweet syrup that has been flavored with citrus. The dessert is associated with northern Greece, particularly the city of Veroia, where traditional sweet shops make revani according to a recipe from Byzantine times.

Variations of the sweet semolina cake can be found across the Mediterranean, Middle East, and the Balkans, particularly in Greece, Egypt, and Turkey.

Bougatsa, a beloved Greek dessert

Thessaloniki sweets
Bougatsa with cream. Credit: Greek Reporter

Bougatsa with cream is one of the most popular sweets in all of Greece. Traditionally associated with northern Greece, particularly the city of Thessaloniki, Bougatsa with cream is a favorite amongst Greeks all across the country.

The pastry is made of phyllo dough filled with creamy custard and topped with cinnamon and powdered sugar. In much of Greece, it is important to be specific and state “bougatsa with cream,” as there is a savory version of the pastry that is filled with meat.

The most traditional Greek dessert of all: Spoon sweets

Spoon sweets, or pieces of preserved fruit in sweet syrup, have historic roots in Greece. The delicious age-old tradition in Greece of offering spoon sweets to visitors originated in the fourteenth century, when the Byzantines adopted the custom from Arab traders.

You can find spoon sweets made out of a variety of fruits, including sour cherry, figs, and even orange rinds. Many people eat spoon sweets plain or spooned on top of Greek yogurt.

Ryzogalo, Greek rice pudding

Ryzogalo is the Greek version of rice pudding. Made with delicious Greek milk, rice, and cinnamon, the comforting Greek dessert, served cold, is a favorite during the hot summer.

Melomakarona, a favorite Christmas cookie

greek desserts
Melomakarona are a Christmastime favorite. Credit: Nostimo/Greek Reporter

Melomakarona are the delicious Greek cookies served around Christmastime. Made with olive oil, flour, honey, and citrus, melomakarona are much healthier than most holiday treats. The addition of cinnamon and walnuts make melomakarona simply irresistible.

The origin of the scrumptious cookie dates all the way back to ancient Greece. At funerals, ancient Greeks would eat a barley mixture, called makaria. Scholars argue that through the years, makaria developed into the cookie we know today. The addition of honey, or meli in Greek, to the cookie, gives us the name melomakarona.

The iconic Galaktoboureko

This dessert consists of layers at the top and the bottom and is filled with a custard. It is cut into square portions, or rolled into individual servings and smothered in a clear, sweet syrup. The custard may be flavored with lemon, orange, or rose water.

It is notoriously difficult to make, but galaktoboureko is one of the most popular desserts in Greece.

Halvas

The semolina-based halvas (sold as “Halvah” in the US) is a common food found in the Balkan countries, Turkey, and Israel and is usually homemade.

It is a very plain and densely-grained confection made of ground sesame seeds, sugar, water and oil. The ground sesame seed is sweetened either with honey or “petimezi” while the syrup is made from the must of grapes. It is formed into a round shape and baked as a loaf.

Kourabiedes

Christmas sweets to eat in Greece
Kourabiedes. Credit: Nostimo/Greek Reporter

Kourabiedes are a kind of shortbread cookie, perfectly sweet and satisfying, filled with almonds and topped with powdered sugar. Depending on the region, the dough for Greek kourabiedes may also include a splash of brandy or rosewater for some extra flavor.

The word kourabiedes comes from the Turkish work kurabiye, which itself was borrowed from the Arabic qurabiya, all of which refer to this type of biscuit. Cookies like kourabiedes are made across the Balkans and the Middle East.

Baklavas, the quintessentially Greek dessert

baklava greek dessert
Baklavas. Credit: Nostimo/Greek Reporter

Baklavas, or baklava, is likely one of the most famous, yet controversial, Greek desserts. The delicious sweet is made from crispy layers of phyllo dough filled with chopped nuts, usually pistachios, and sweetened with honey or syrup.

There is a persistent debate as to the origins of the sweet, however. Many ethnic groups such as the Greeks, Turks, and Middle Easterners all claim baklava as their own, and prepare it in their own way.

Greek donuts, or loukoumades

greek sweets
Loukoumades. Credit: Nostimo/Greek Reporter

Loukoumades are heavenly fried dough, served warm with honey and drizzled with walnuts and cinnamon, or even sesame seeds.

Loukoumades may be the oldest recorded dessert in the world, first served to the winners of the Greek Olympics, according to Greek poet Callimachus, who referred to them as “honey tokens.”

Now, widely accessible as a street food, loukoumades have been elevated to a gourmet level and are now filled with Nutella, vanilla, and all sorts of different flavors. However, there’s nothing like the traditional, original, and simple loukoumades of times past.

Tsoureki, the traditional Greek Easter bread eaten all-year round

greek desserts
Tsoureki. Credit: Nostimo/Greek Reporter

Tsoureki (τσουρέκι in Greek) is the traditional, sweet yeast bread Greeks make every year on Holy Thursday and eat on Easter Sunday.

The name tsoureki comes from the Turkish word “corek” which refers to any bread made with yeast dough. There are many kinds of corek, both savory and sweet, which appear in various shapes and sizes depending on the region.

Today, tsoureki has become an all-year-round pastry. It comes in various versions, such as filled or covered with chocolate and nuts, and it can even be filled with custard, or dipped in syrup. Even eaten plain, this delicately sweet bread is delightful and refreshing after the long privations of the Lenten period.

Ancient Pygmy Hippo Fossils Discovered on Crete

Tasos Kokkinidis
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Ancient Pygmy Hippo Fossils Discovered on Crete
hippo fossils Crete
Nowadays, the animals are native to West Africa. Credit: ERT, Greek Public Television

Archaeologists recently discovered ancient pygmy hippo fossils on the island of Crete which date back to 350,000 B.C.

The find was made at Katharo Plateau on the Dikti mountain in the east of the island by paleontologists from the University of Athens last week.

It marks the first time such a “high concentration of pygmy hippopotamus fossils” has been found in Greece. Paleontologist Giorgos Lyras, who worked on the excavation, told AFP that it was a “significant discovery.”

The pygmy hippopotamus, or pygmy hippo, is a small member of the hippopotamid family. Nowadays, the animals are native to West Africa, living in swamps and forests.

Katharo Plateau lies at an elevation some 3,600 feet above sea level. Fossils are often discovered in such high places, where centuries of soil and sediment cover the bones and eventually bury them.

hippo fossils Crete
The discovery of the fossils is “significant”. Credit: ERT, Greek Public Television

More hippo fossils finds are expected on Crete

We expect to find an even greater number of hippopotamus fossils,” Lyras told AFP.

Other animals have been unearthed on Crete and the other Greek islands. Dwarf elephants were found to have lived in the Aegean islands, including Naxos and Rhodes. Fossils like these can inform researchers about the ecosystems existing thousands of years ago.

In June several paleolithic sites dating from 700 thousand years ago have been discovered during excavations at the Megalopolis lignite mine, in Arcadia, southern Greece.

According to a statement by the Greek Ministry of Culture  the sites “offer a unique opportunity to investigate human behavior over time, for an important period in the history of human evolution and in an area that has so far been little investigated.”

Hippo fossils discovered on mainland Greece

The oldest location identified is Kyparissia 4, which dates back to about 700 thousand years ago and is located about 70 meters below the surface.

The site contains Paleolithic stone artifacts, along with the remains of extinct animals such as giant deer (Praemegaceros), hippopotamus, rhinoceros, elephant, and a tooth of the macaque monkey.

The “younger” nearby site Kyparissia 3 yielded mainly elephant bones associated with stone tools. At the Marathousa 2 site, which dates back to about 450 thousand years ago, a part of a hippopotamus skeleton with cut marks was found together with the remains of stone tools, and is a rare example of hippopotamus exploitation in Pleistocene Europe.

The preliminary study of the paleoenvironmental and paleoclimatic indicators shows that all the sites have been found in ice age environments, and in fact, they are located chronologically in almost all the ice ages of the Middle Pleistocene.

These findings indicate that the Megalopolis basin formed one of the southernmost ecological refuges in Europe during the glacial periods, the Greek Ministry says.

Related: The Prehistoric ‘Human Skull’ Cave of Greece

 

Greek-Canadian Artist Katherine Filippeos Releases New EP

Tasos Kokkinidis
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Greek-Canadian Artist Katherine Filippeos Releases New EP
Filippeos
“Tango for Carlitos” is a fun, playful piece. Credit: Katherine Filippeos

Greek-Canadian singer, songwriter and musician, Katherine Filippeos, just released an EP —available on all streaming platforms— featuring her original composition “Tango for Carlitos.”

It is a song she wrote on the guitar after a colleague gave her a CD of tangos performed by perhaps the most influential artist in tango music, Carlos Gardel.

“I was so moved by the timeless passion that jumped straight into my heart after hearing Gardel’s vocals and the classic orchestration and rhythms of Argentinian tango. Songs like “Mi Buenos Aires Querido” diversified my interests as a composer,” Filippeos said.

This latest video encourages the viewer to bring dreams to life; as she cycles through European countryside to a local flower shop she smells the flowers and enjoys simply being alive!

“Tango for Carlitos” is a fun, playful piece that travels the listener through a minor key, a romantic bridge and an exciting key-change that heightens to the perfect feel-good ending. The song is dedicated to Gardel, as depicted in the title with his affectionate nickname “Carlitos.”

Track two of this EP includes Katherine’s original guitar arrangement of “Hotel California.” Beginning with a seductive intro, foretelling glimpses of the melody, it lights up in flames as the familiar notes are played with the fire of a Rumba flamenco. This version features technique and style with layered nylon-string guitar.

Filippeos’ “No Pain No Glory”

In April Filippeos released a single entitled “No Pain No Glory.” It was the second in a series of releases that encourage introspection and self-observation while relating darkness to a polarity of optimism and a positive message.

Marked by Filippeos’ eerie vocals & harmonizations, her performance exhibits her fine command of the guitar. It features beautiful arpeggios and powerful rasgueados, and is strongly influenced by her formal studies in classical guitar and flamenco.

The music takes the listener on a journey to the inner self and the struggle to release human pain by deep understanding; “It is through our pain that we develop our complete power to face challenges and rise to glory,” Filippeos says.

Filippeos graduated with an A.R.C.T. in guitar performance from the Royal Conservatory of Music where she has received scholarships and a silver medal award. She is an experienced educator and adjudicator.

Katherine’s current and upcoming works are organic recordings, featuring skilled performances exclusively on guitar and vocals. Follow Katherine on Spotify and instagram and be the first to know of upcoming releases and when they go live!

You can follow Katherine Filippeos on:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5n2gXCi6H2BtRWmEKb8Hjd?si=w22W-1nWQHe4ThlJTt7aWg
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katherine.filippeos/
Linktree: linktr.ee/katherinefilippeos

Supercontinent to Form in the Pacific in 200 Million Years

Acen Winnie
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Supercontinent to Form in the Pacific in 200 Million Years
supercontinent
Supercontinent to form in Pacific in 200 to 300 million years, scientists say. Credit: Fama Clamosa/Wikimedia Commons

According to recent research conducted by Australia’s Curtin University, the world’s next supercontinent will form when the Pacific Ocean closes in two hundred to three hundred million years.

Earth’s crust, also known as the lithosphere, is made up of continents and oceanic rock. The lithosphere sits on top of the mantle, which is a thick layer of molten rock that extends for thousands of kilometers.

The continents of Earth travel over the mantle relatively slowly. One of the faster moving plates is advancing toward the north at a rate of about seven centimeters per year.

The Himalayas were created when the Indian subcontinent collided with Asia some forty to fifty million years ago. On occasion, continents bump into one another, causing mountain ranges to rise. In certain cases, they all come together to form a single large supercontinent.

Genesis of Supercontinents Using Supercomputers

Geologists at Curtin University in Perth were able to model the genesis of supercontinents using supercomputers. Their findings demonstrate that the thickness and strength of the plates under the oceans have decreased as a result of the Earth cooling over billions of years.

The Atlantic and Indian Oceans, considered to be “younger” waters than the Pacific, are therefore more resistant to continental drift. The results have been reported in the National Science Review.

Dr. Chuan Huang from the School of Earth and Planetary Sciences at Curtin University and the Earth Dynamics Research Group said, “Over the past two billion years, Earth’s continents have collided to form a supercontinent every 600 million years, known as the supercontinent cycle. This means that the current continents are due to come together again in a couple of hundred million years’ time.”

The “supercontinent cycle,” according to co-author Professor Zheng-Xiang Li of Curtin’s School of Earth and Planetary Sciences, remains a mystery.

Li says, “It’s a very intriguing question. We don’t really know. Until thirty years ago, we knew of one supercontinent Pangaea between 200 and 300 million years ago. But, with work over the last thirty years, we realized before Pangea there were two more supercontinents. And they happened in a kind of regular interval  every 600 million years. That’s the observation based on the geological record.”

Li hypothesizes that this cycle might be linked to the Earth’s mantle experiencing a rising and falling of hotter and colder molten rock in a manner similar to convection.

Huang says, “The resulting new supercontinent has already been named Amasia because some believe that the Pacific Ocean will close (as opposed to the Atlantic and Indian oceans) when America collides with Asia. Australia is also expected to play a role in this important Earth event, first colliding with Asia and then connecting America and Asia once the Pacific Ocean closes.”

According to Li, the way we comprehend plate tectonics has also changed.

“Twenty-five years ago” Li said, “most people thought the continents were dragged by the mantle, the floating rock underneath the shell of the Earth’s crust. But now, we know it’s a combination of forces. You have the mantle dragging continents, and the oceanic slabs going into the mantle which acts like a heavy sinker also dragging the continents into the mantle.”

Huang explains, “By simulating how the Earth’s tectonic plates are expected to evolve using a supercomputer, we were able to show that in less than 300 million years’ time it is likely to be the Pacific Ocean that will close, allowing for the formation of Amasia, debunking some previous scientific theories.”

 Li tells Cosmos, “We tried to mimic the Earth’s processes, the plate tectonic process, using the supercomputer. We filled in basic parameters like temperature gradient and the density profile. This is seen through the continental lithosphere and the oceanic lithosphere. We look at their density, strength, and viscosity.”

He adds, “Out of these parameters, we tried to physically mimic as best as we can Earth’s conditions. We see how continents come together or break up in the plate tectonic process with the supercomputer. We model a 3D image for the spherical processes as they evolve through time.”

Li emphasizes how fascinating the research is. “Earth as we know it,” he says, “will be drastically different when Amasia forms. The sea level is expected to be lower, and the vast interior of the supercontinent will be very arid with high daily temperature ranges.” 

He adds, “We are fortunate to live in a very exciting time in geological research. There was the ‘Plate Tectonics Revolution’ 60 years ago. I believe we are now in another revolution. We are able to link what we see on the surface, the plate motion, with what is happening in the deep Earth or even in the core. In fact, the whole Earth system is either a kind of interactive system, from the core to the mantle to the crust, and then to the atmosphere and even life, the biosphere. We are starting to see the Earth system in a more holistic kind of way.”

Wildfires Rage in Greece in the Midst of a Heatwave

Tasos Kokkinidis
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Wildfires Rage in Greece in the Midst of a Heatwave
Greece wildfires heatwave
The most difficult wildfire is at Dervenochoria, west of Athens, which is burning a forest for the third day. Credit: AMNA

Wildfires are raging in Greece for a third day on Wednesday as a punishing heatwave is engulfing the country.

Hundreds of firefighters are battling the flames at Dervenochoria, west of Athens, which, according to the fire service is the most difficult due to the dense forest vegetation and the inaccessible nature of the area.

The blaze, which broke out on Monday about 30 km north of Athens, spread fast as it was fanned by erratic winds and reached Mandra on Tuesday, burning houses and forcing people to flee.

Not everyone went willingly. Footage released by Greek police showed officers imploring a reluctant group of nuns chanting hymns to evacuate a convent, and another of police screaming “lets go” as towering flames closed in at a timber yard.

The fire at Dervenochoria has damaged homes, while firefighters and the police have had to rescue people in several cases in the region.

The fire in the region of Loutraki, east of Corinth, has yet to be contained.

Evacuation orders were sent out on Tuesday through the 112 emergency system (sms) for residents of ‘Glykia Zoi’ in the Loutraki area to evaucate toward Agii Theodori. In addition, residents of Loutropyrgos, Ano Vlychada, and the communities of Othonas and Eftaxias were asked to head to Elefsina, to avoid the advancing fire.

A large wildfire broke out late on Tuesday on the Greek island of Rhodes. The area where the fire continues to burn is an inaccessible forest area, which makes extinguishing efforts difficult, while, on the positive side, the strength of the winds has significantly weakened.

Four Canadair water-dropping aircraft arrived in Greece from France and Italy to help put out wildfires, following the activation of the EU-wide Civil Protection Mechanism.

Wildfires intensify as heatwave hits Greece

Meteorologists are predicting that temperatures in Greece will reach 44°C (111.2°F) later in the week as an unprecedented heatwave hits southern Europe.

According to the Hellenic National Meteorological Service (EMY), the heatwave will hit the country on Thursday and will culminate on Sunday.

Its forecast says that on Thursday temperatures in continental Greece will reach 42°C and, in some places 43°C, while in eastern Aegean islands and the Dodecanese, the temperature would climb up to 39°C.

From Friday until Sunday, a further rise in temperature is expected. The maximum values will reach 43°C on the mainland and 44°C in areas in the interior of Thessaly and Central Greece. The top temperature for the islands is predicted at 41°C.

The heatwave will ease starting Monday when temperatures are predicted to drop by up to 5°C, with the largest drop expected in the eastern part of the country.

Heatwaves are “the new normal”

The extreme temperatures sweeping the globe this week are the new normal in a world warmed by climate change, the UN weather agency says.

The World Meteorological Organisation warned the heatwave in Europe could continue into August.

Millions around the world are under heat advisories as officials warn of danger to life from the hot temperatures.

This is a developing story

Fire Halts Travel at Major Airport in Italy

Alexander Gale
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Fire Halts Travel at Major Airport in Italy
Catania airport
A fire at Catania airport in Italy has halted travel. Credit: Artemio Mishkin / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Wikimedia Commons

Flight operations at Catania airport, located on the southern Italian island of Sicily, are currently experiencing significant disruptions following damage to one of its terminals caused by a fire.

On Sunday night, a blaze occurred at Vincenzo Bellini International Airport in Catania. Firefighters were promptly dispatched to extinguish the fire, and as a precautionary measure, the airport was evacuated.

No injuries have been reported so far, although there are accounts of individuals receiving treatment for smoke inhalation and shock.

Fire causes ongoing delays at airport in Italy

ItaliaRimborso, a source of information on flight-related matters, indicates that the airport facilitates travel to a total of 91 destinations, with 24 of them being domestic routes.

Yesterday, airport authorities announced the suspension of flights until Wednesday at 2 pm, which was expected to affect approximately 120,000 passengers.

However, the airport has managed to restore operations earlier than anticipated. As of Tuesday morning, two flights are departing per hour, indicating a faster recovery.

To mitigate the situation, some incoming flights are being redirected to alternative airports in Sicily, such as Palermo, Trapani, and Comiso.

Comiso airport, located about two hours away by car from Catania airport, is situated on the east side of the island. On the other hand, Palermo and Trapani airports are located on the west side of the island, requiring a four to five-hour drive from Catania.

To assist affected passengers, complimentary train and bus services are being provided between Catania airport and the airports where flights are being diverted (such as Palermo, Comiso, and Trapani). Detailed information regarding this transportation arrangement is being communicated to passengers at the airports and through announcements on incoming and outgoing flights.

Fires in Southern Europe

While the specific cause of the fire at Catania Airport has not been disclosed, wildfires have been spreading across Spain, Italy, and Greece during the peak of the summer season. These devastating fires have led to the evacuation of thousands of people and the unfortunate destruction of several homes.

In Greece, the first fire broke out at Kouvaras, southeast of Athens, and moved really fast, spanning 12 km. More than 200 firemen assisted by 20 soldiers, 68 fire engines, 10 aircraft, and six helicopters were fighting the flames. On Tuesday the fire has been largely contained but fears of possible reignitions are keeping the fire service on alert. In about 2 hours, aided by high winds, the fire reached popular coastal resorts such as Lagonisi and Saronida damaging several homes.

The second fire, which was described by the fire service as the most difficult, burnt in a forest at Dervenoxoria, about 30 kilometers (18 miles) north of Athens. 105 firefighters with 3 ground teams and 30 fire engines operated on the land assisted by 7 airplanes and 4 helicopters.

Hercules’ Surprising Resemblance to the Egyptian God Shu

Caleb Howells
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Hercules’ Surprising Resemblance to the Egyptian God Shu
Hercules wearing the pelt of the Nemean Lion, with Athena
Hercules wearing the pelt of the Nemean Lion and the goddess Athena. Credit: Public Domain

In Greek mythology, one of the most famous heroes was Heracles, more commonly called Hercules. He was the hero with super strength who went on twelve seemingly-impossible labors. However, according to ancient Greek accounts, Hercules has a surprising connection to an Egyptian god.

More Than One Hercules?

None of the accounts about the story of Hercules are even close to contemporary accounts. They are all written long after Hercules allegedly lived, and they contain fantastical elements. This makes them legends. It is not uncommon for legends about one famous person to have some details from another famous person’s life mixed in, especially if the two people had the same name. According to ancient Greek accounts, that is exactly what happened with Hercules.

The Greek historian Herodotus was the first person to claim that there was more than one Hercules. He stated that Hercules ‘was an ancient Egyptian god’, but that this was a different person to the Hercules known by the Greeks. Herodotus explained that this Egyptian god lived much earlier than the Greek hero.

Later, the Greek historian Diodorus claimed that there had been at least three heroes called Hercules. Like Herodotus, he said that the oldest was the Egyptian god, and the youngest was the Greek hero. Between them, Diodorus said that there was a Hercules from Crete. Still later writers counted even more.

The Confusion Between Hercules and the Egyptian God

Herodotus states that the name of the Greek hero, Hercules, came from Egypt. But Diodorus goes even further. According to him, many of the Greek legends of Hercules actually come from this Egyptian god. He argued that the idea of Hercules dressed in a lion’s skin and using a club as a weapon makes much more sense in the context of mankind’s early history. In contrast, the Greek Hercules lived just prior to the Trojan War, when armor and weapons were commonplace.

This Greek historian, Diodorus, further points out that Hercules “cleared the earth of wild beasts, a story which is in no way suitable for man who lived in approximately the period of the Trojan War.” So he argues that this, too, comes from the earlier Egyptian Hercules.

Diodorus also records a story that it was not just the Greek Hercules alone who set up the famous Pillars of Hercules. According to him, the Egyptian god set up a pillar in Libya, and then later, the Greek Hercules set up a pillar in Europe, opposite it.

Explaining the confusion between the different people by the same name, Diodorus wrote about the Greek Hercules that “in the course of time and upon his death he inherited the exploits of the more ancient persons of the name, as if there had been in all the previous ages but one Hercules.”

Was the Egyptian God Shu Connected to Hercules?

Egyptian headrest showing Shu holding up the sky
Egyptian headrest showing Shu holding up the sky. Credit: Photo by Jon Bodsworth, public domain

If these ancient Greek writers were correct, and there really was an ancient Egyptian god who contributed to the stories of Hercules, then which Egyptian god was it? The simple answer is that no one knows. However, there are some popular theories about this. One of the most common explanations about the earliest Hercules is that Herodotus was referring to the Egyptian god Shu.

Shu was the god of the air. Because of this, he was sometimes shown holding up the sky (that is, the goddess Nut). This depiction bears an interesting similarity to one of the Greek legends of Hercules. On one occasion, Hercules was said to have held up the sky. He did this to help Atlas, the Greek god who normally held it.

Additionally, the Egyptians sometimes depicted Shu with a lion’s head. Similarly, ancient Greek artwork shows Hercules wearing a lion’s skin, with the face of the lion over his head.

However, overall, the connections between Shu and Hercules are very weak. Furthermore, Herodotus specifically notes that the Egyptian god whom he calls Hercules was part of a group of twelve gods, not the earlier group of eight gods. Since Shu was one of the very earliest gods in Egyptian mythology, being part of the Ennead, Herodotus cannot have been referring to him.

The Egyptian God Heryshaf and Hercules

A more likely possibility is Heryshaf. He was a ram-god who is attested in very early Egyptian texts. There is strong evidence that the Greeks identified Heryshaf as Hercules in at least one era. The religious center of Heryshaf, where his main temple was, came to be known by the Greeks as Heracleopolis in the Ptolemaic Period. This means ‘the city of Hercules’. This shows that the Greeks definitely did identify Heryshaf with Hercules in this era.

One reason for this identification might be that the name of this Egyptian god, Heryshaf, is vaguely similar to ‘Heracles’, the Greek name for Hercules. Furthermore, one form of his name could mean ‘He Who Is Over Strength’. This is another reason why the Greeks may have associated this Egyptian god with Hercules, since Hercules was famous for his strength.

Nonetheless, there are still not many connections between Hercules and Heryshaf. There is no guarantee at all that Heryshaf was the Egyptian god Herodotus was thinking of in his discussion of Hercules. Herodotus simply did not provide any detailed information about the Egyptian god he referred to as Hercules. Therefore, we can only speculate about his identity.

 

Virgin Galactic Crew Includes Olympian and Mother-Daughter Duo

Abdul Moeed
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Virgin Galactic Crew Includes Olympian and Mother-Daughter Duo
Virgin Galactic Crew Includes Olympian and Mother-Daughter Duo
Virgin Galactic revealed its first tourism flight crew, which includes an Olympian and a mother-daughter duo. Credit: Virgin Galactic

Virgin Galactic has announced the crew for its inaugural space tourism flight, and it includes a former Olympian and the first mother-daughter duo.

Jon Goodwin, who took part in canoeing at the 1972 Games in Munich, will be on board. What makes this even more extraordinary is that he will become just the second person with Parkinson’s disease to venture to the edge of space.

Next month, 80-year-old Jon Goodwin will embark on a journey aboard VSS Unity. In a statement released by Virgin Galactic, Jon Goodwin expressed his unwavering determination to live life to the fullest despite being diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2014.

He said, “When I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2014, I was determined not to let it stand in the way of living life to the fullest. And now, for me to go to space with Parkinson’s is completely magical.”

First mother-daughter duo on the flight crew

Joining this historic flight will be a unique mother-daughter duo who will hold the distinction of becoming the first astronauts from the Caribbean.

Keisha Schahaff, aged 46, and her daughter Anastatia Mayers, aged 18, will make history as the first mother and daughter to embark on a spaceflight together.

Anastatia, currently pursuing her studies in physics at Aberdeen, will join her mother on this journey.

The trio earned their coveted seats through a prize draw aimed at raising funds for Space for Humanity, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing regular individuals with the opportunity to witness space travel and gain a broader perspective on the challenges our planet faces.

Their adventure will take place aboard Unity, which will ascend to sub-orbital space. Passengers will experience several minutes of weightlessness and be treated to breathtaking views of Earth before returning safely to the surface.

Around 800 tickets sold for the flights

Beth Moses, Virgin Galactic’s chief astronaut instructor, will be joining the trio on their spaceflight.

Moreover, she has already undertaken this journey three times with the company, being the very first passenger on their space plane back in 2019.

CNN reported Virgin Galactic has sold approximately 800 tickets for these flights. Among them, 600 tickets are priced at up to $250,000, while the remaining 200 tickets are priced at $450,000.

In June, a team of Italian researchers achieved a significant milestone by reaching the edge of space.

Moreover, their journey began in the New Mexico desert as part of Virgin Galactic’s mission to make commercial spaceflight accessible to everyone.

Following that achievement, CNBC reported that Virgin Galactic, founded by British billionaire Sir Richard Branson, will carry out its second mission in August.

Holiday Home Prices at Ten Year High in Greece’s Cyclades Islands

Alexander Gale
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Holiday Home Prices at Ten Year High in Greece’s Cyclades Islands
Mykonos boats
Holiday home property prices are rising on the Cyclades Islands in Greece. Credit: Mstyslav Chernov / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0

According to the latest statistics, holiday home sale prices on the immensely popular Cyclades islands in Greece are at a ten-year high.

The most significant surge in prices can be observed in ultra-luxury properties featuring distinctive attributes, particularly in Mykonos.

Of all the Greek islands, the Cyclades are the most famous, particularly Mykonos and Santorini which attract large numbers of tourists every year.

Holiday home prices surge in Greece’s Cyclades islands

The prices of holiday homes on the sought-after islands of the Cyclades have reached a ten-year peak, surpassing previous losses. According to the recently published Holiday Home Price Watch by Geoaxis, a company of certified real estate valuers, the trend is projected to continue its upward trajectory in the foreseeable future.

The report highlights that 2023 marks the fifth consecutive year of escalating holiday home prices on popular islands, exhibiting an average growth rate of 3.4%.

As previously noted, the most substantial increases are observed in the ultra-luxury property segment, particularly in Mykonos. These exclusive properties can now be sold for up to 35,850 euros per square meter, representing a remarkable surge of approximately 42% compared to eight years ago.

It is important to clarify that the substantial disparity in prices is not a result of a significant decline during that period, as these properties did not experience notable losses despite the economic crisis. On the contrary, the notable surge can be attributed primarily to the scarcity of such homes in the market and the strong desire of potential buyers to possess them.

Visiting the Cyclades

The iconic beauty of the Cycladic Islands is well-known. This is comprised of the islands’ stone-paved alleys, whitewashed churches with cobalt blue domes, picturesque white houses, and gorgeous sandy beaches where the blue of the sky is majestically reflected in the clear waters.

There is an opportunity for a number of memorable experiences, including viewing the sunset from Oia in Santorini, going for a dive in the deep waters of Amorgos, where the movie The Big Blue was shot, seeing the Red Sand Beach that looks like a landscape on Mars on Santorini, and partying at Cavo Paradiso Club of Mykonos where some of the wildest parties take place in the company of famous DJs. These are all once-in-a-lifetime experiences. And, of course, you’ll also not want to miss the ancient Temple of Apollo on Delos!

The Cyclades are not only comprised of Mykonos and Santorini, however. There are also Amorgos, Naxos, Syros, and the picturesque tiny islands of Koufonissia, Irakleia, or Donousa with quiet, beautiful beaches for truly romantic settings.

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