DOCSLIB.ORG

In an Octopus' Garden: a Story from Lesbos

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
In an Octopus' Garden: a Story from Lesbos In an octopus' garden: a story from Lesbos The Harvard community has made this article openly available. Please share how this access benefits you. Your story matters Citation Nagy, Gregory. 2015.12.12. "In an octopus' garden: a story from Lesbos." Classical Inquiries. http://nrs.harvard.edu/ urn-3:hul.eresource:Classical_Inquiries. Published Version https://classical-inquiries.chs.harvard.edu/in-an-octopuss-garden- a-story-from-lesbos/ Citable link http://nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:HUL.InstRepos:39666420 Terms of Use This article was downloaded from Harvard University’s DASH repository, and is made available under the terms and conditions applicable to Other Posted Material, as set forth at http:// nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:HUL.InstRepos:dash.current.terms-of- use#LAA Classical Inquiries Editors: Angelia Hanhardt and Keith Stone Consultant for Images: Jill Curry Robbins Online Consultant: Noel Spencer About Classical Inquiries (CI ) is an online, rapid-publication project of Harvard’s Center for Hellenic Studies, devoted to sharing some of the latest thinking on the ancient world with researchers and the general public. While articles archived in DASH represent the original Classical Inquiries posts, CI is intended to be an evolving project, providing a platform for public dialogue between authors and readers. Please visit http://nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:hul.eresource:Classical_Inquiries for the latest version of this article, which may include corrections, updates, or comments and author responses. Additionally, many of the studies published in CI will be incorporated into future CHS pub- lications. Please visit http://nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:hul.eresource:CHS.Online_Publishing for a complete and continually expanding list of open access publications by CHS. Classical Inquiries is published under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 In- ternational License. Every efort is made to use images that are in the public domain or shared under Creative Commons licenses. Copyright on some images may be owned by the Center for Hellenic Studies. Please refer to captions for information about copyright of individual images. Citing Articles from Classical Inquiries To cite an article from Classical Inquiries, use the author’s name, the date, the title of the article, and the following persistent identifer: http://nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:hul.eresource:Classical_Inquiries. For example: Nagy, G. 2019.01.31. “Homo Ludens at Play with the Songs of Sappho: Experiments in Comparative Reception Teory, Part Four.” Classical Inquiries. http://nrs.harvard.edu/ urn-3:hul.eresource:Classical_Inquiries. Classical Inquiries Studies on the Ancient World from CHS Home About People Home » By Gregory Nagy » In an octopus’s garden: a story from Lesbos In an octopus’s garden: a story from Share This Lesbos December 12, 2015 By Gregory Nagy listed under By Gregory Nagy 1 Comment Edit This In Plutarch’s Banquet of the Seven Sages, the author imagines a remote time when conversations took place in the city of Corinth at a dinner party hosted by the tyrant of that city, Periandros, a historical figure whose lifetime can be dated to the late seventh and early sixth century BCE. The dramatic setting for this imagined dinner party coincides with the era of Sappho and Alcaeus, both originating from the city of Mytilene in Lesbos —and both belonging to a canonical set of nine masters of classical “lyric” songmaking. Classical Inquiries (CI) is an online, rapid-publication project of Harvard’s Center for Hellenic Studies, devoted to sharing some of the latest thinking on the ancient world with researchers and the general public. Editor Keith Stone [email protected] Search for: Search Subscribe Now! Subscribe to this site to receive email updates about the latest research—just one or two notices per week. EU/EEA Privacy Disclosures Email Address Terracotta stirrup jar with octopus, ca. 1200–1100 BCE, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 53.11.6, Purchase, Louise Eldridge McBurney Gift, 1953. Photo courtesy of the Museum’s Open Access for Scholarly Content program, Subscribe www.metmuseum.org. §1. In Plutarch’s Banquet of the Seven Sages, the author imagines a remote time when conversations took place in the city of Corinth at a dinner party hosted by the tyrant of that city, Periandros, a historical figure Now Online whose lifetime can be dated to the late seventh and early sixth century BCE. The dramatic setting for this imagined dinner party coincides with the era of Sappho and Alcaeus, both originating from the city of Mytilene in Lesbos—and both belonging to a canonical set of nine masters of classical “lyric” songmaking (the other seven are Alcman, Stesichorus, Ibycus, Anacreon, Simonides, Pindar, Bacchylides). Among the notable guests attending the dinner party of Periandros were seven sophoi ‘wise’ men known in Greek mythmaking traditions as the Seven Sages of Greece, and at least some of these sages are likewise historical figures whose lifetimes can similarly be dated to the late seventh and early sixth century BCE— such as Pittakos of Mytilene in Lesbos, reputed to be the lawgiver of that city (the other six of the Seven Sages in Plutarch’s narrative are Thales of Miletus, Bias of Priene, Solon of Athens, Chilon of Sparta, Kleoboulos of Rhodes, and Anacharsis the Scythian). Plutarch’s story features Pittakos in the act of telling a most interesting earlier story about Lesbos in Banquet of the Seven Sages 163a–d. §2. It is a story about a human sacrifice that was performed once upon a time by Greeks who were sailing in the Aegean Sea and heading toward the island of Lesbos on a mission of establishing an apoikia or ‘site to be colonized’ there (Banquet of the Seven Sages 163b). An oracle had ordered these Greeks to offer sacrifice by throwing overboard two victims at a herma or ‘sea­reef’ named Mesogeion, and these victims were (1) a bull to be offered as sacrifice to the sea­god Poseidon and (2) a parthenos or ‘girl’ to be offered as sacrifice to the sea­goddess Amphitrite and to her attending nymphs, described here as Nērēïdes or ‘Nereids’ (again, 163b). Chosen by lot as the girl to be thrown overboard was the daughter of Smintheus, one of the seven kings who were leaders of the mission (again, 163b). When the sea voyage of the seven kings finally reached the sea­reef where the sacrifice was ordained to take place, everything was made ready: before proceeding to throw the girl into the watery depths below, the sacrificers adorned (kosmeîn) her by dressing her in the finest fabrics and bedecking her with golden jewelry (again 163b). §3. But here a new character intervenes in the story. Sailing together with the kings on this sea voyage was a young man of noble birth named En­halos. This Enhalos, whose name means ‘he who is in the sea’, was passionately in love with the girl who was about to be sacrificed (Banquet of the Seven Sages 163b–c). Just as the girl was about to be thrown overboard, Enhalos rushed to her side and, embracing her, he jumped into the watery depths below, together with the girl (163c). §4. At this point, after their dual dive into the Aegean Sea, the doomed couple somehow experience a mysteriously happy outcome. The story­teller, in the person of Pittakos, says that the rest of the story is about komidē ‘recovery’ and sōtēria ‘salvation’ (Banquet of the Seven Sages 163c). These two words signal that there is a mystery at work here. I start with sōtēria. As I argue in H24H 24§1, the noun sōtēria ‘recovery, salvation’ and the corresponding verb sōzein ‘recover, save’ can be used in the mystical sense of ‘bringing (someone) back to life’. Similarly, as I argue in H24H 24§40, the noun komidē ‘recovery’ and the corresponding verb komizein ‘recover’ can be used in the mystical sense of ‘bringing (someone) back to light and life’, parallel to the mystical sense of the noun nostos, ‘return to light and life’. Top Posts & Pages §5. At this point in the storytelling of Plutarch’s Banquet of the Seven Sages (163c), there is a shift in the ownership of the story. Up to now, Pittakos has been the imagined story­teller, but from this point onward the story is attributed by Pittakos himself to hearsay, which in turn is further attributed to what was said by Enhalos himself—that is, by the same character who dove into the Aegean Sea while embracing the girl he The Last Words of Socrates at loved. Sometime after the dive, according to hearsay, Enhalos appeared in an epiphany (phanênai) to the the Place Where He Died people of Lesbos, and then Enhalos himself told them what happened, which is, that he and the girl were actually rescued by dolphins that carried both of them to safety on land (again, 163c). Who is the best of heroes, Achilles or Odysseus? And which §6. In this version of the story, as retold by the figure of Pittakos, both Enhalos and the girl are carried ashore by dolphins. In another version, however, the girl never comes back ashore, and even Enhalos is the best of epics, the Iliad or reappears on land only once, for the sole purpose of announcing to the people of Lesbos that he and the the Odyssey? girl have taken up a new habitat, in the depths of the sea. The source for this divergent version of the story A Roll of the Dice for Ajax is Anticleides of Athens in Book 16 of his Nostoi (FGrH 140 F 4), as reported by Athenaeus 11.466c. The story starts the same way before it diverges from the version I already summarized from my reading of Plutarch’s Banquet of the Seven Sages, though Athenaeus gives a few more details.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Eis-Booklet.Pdf
    EX IONIA SCIENTIA – KNOWLEDGE IN ARCHAIC GREECE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE NATIONAL AND KAPODISTRIAN UNIVERSITY OF ATHENS DEC 11-14, 2016 PROGRAM pp. 2‒7 ABSTRACTS PP. 8‒54 LIST OF PARTICIPANTS pp. 55‒58 For more information, visit our Website: http://enlightenedionia.siu.edu/ contact: USA: Dr. Robert Hahn (Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, [email protected]) EUROPE: PD Dr. Alexander Herda (Humboldt University, Berlin, [email protected]) GREECE: Dr. Sotiris Fournaros (National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, [email protected]) 1 EX IONIA SCIENTIA – KNOWLEDGE IN ARCHAIC GREECE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE NATIONAL AND KAPODISTRIAN UNIVERSITY OF ATHENS, DEC 11-14, 2016 PROGRAM SUNDAY 11 DECEMBER Theocharakis Foundation, 9 Vasilissis Sofias & Merlin Street, 10671 Athens 16:00-16:45 WELCOME ADRESSES/INTRODUCTORY REMARKS chair: Panagiotis PANTAZAKOS 1) Meletios A. DIMOPOULOS (Rector of National and Kapodistrian University of Athens) 2) Theodosios PELEGRINIS (Former Rector of National and Kapodistrian University of Athens) 3) Marisa FOUNTOPOULOU (NKU, Head of the Department of Philosophy, Pedagogy and Psychology) 4) Elsi BACONICOLA-YIAMA (NKU, Director of the Section of Philosophy) 5) Sotiris FOURNAROS (NKU, Athens) 6) Alexander HERDA (Humboldt University Berlin) 7) Robert HAHN (Southern Illinois University, Carbondale) 16:45-18:15 KEYNOTES 16:45-17:30 1) Andrew GREGORY (University College London) Anaximander, Cosmology and the Poets 17:30-18:15 2) Alexander MOURELATOS (The University of Texas at Austin) Xenophanes of Colophon and
    [Show full text]
  • MINEOLA BIBLE INSTITUTE and SEMINARY Philosophy II Radically
    MINEOLA BIBLE INSTITUTE AND SEMINARY Page | 1 Philosophy II Radically, Biblical, Apostolic, Christianity Bishop D.R. Vestal, PhD Larry L Yates, ThD, DMin “Excellence in Apostolic Education since 1991” 1 Copyright © 2019 Mineola Bible Institute Page | 2 All Rights Reserved This lesson material may not be used in any manner for reproduction in any language or use without the written permission of Mineola Bible Institute. 2 Contents Introduction ................................................................................................................................. 7 Alexander the Great (356-323 B.C.) ........................................................................................... 8 Philip II of Macedonia (382-336 B.C.) ....................................................................................... 12 Page | 3 “Olympias the mother of Alexander was an evil woman. .......................................... 13 Philip II (of Macedonia) (382-336 BC) .............................................................................. 13 Aristotle (384-322 BC) ............................................................................................................... 15 Works .................................................................................................................................... 16 Methods ............................................................................................................................... 17 Doctrines ............................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • A Presocratics Reader
    2. THE MILESIANS Thales, Anaximander, and Anaximenes were all from the city of Miletus in Ionia (now the western coast of Turkey) and make up what is referred to as the Milesian “school” of philosophy. Tradition reports that Thales was the teacher of Anaximander, who in turn taught Anaximenes. Aristotle begins his account of the history of philosophy as the search for causes and principles (in Metaphysics I) with these three. 2.1. Thales Thales appears on lists of the seven sages of Greece, a traditional catalog of wise men. The chronicler Apollodorus suggests that he was born around 625 BCE. We should accept this date only with caution, as Apollodorus usually calculated birthdates by assuming that a man was forty years old at the time of his “acme,” or greatest achievement. Thus, Apollodorus arrives at the date by assuming that Thales indeed predicted an eclipse in 585 BCE, and was forty at the time. Plato and Aristotle tell stories about Thales that show that even in ancient times philosophers had a mixed reputation for practicality. 1. (11A9) They say that once when Thales was gazing upwards while doing astronomy, he fell into a well, and that a witty and charming Thracian serving-girl made fun of him for being eager to know the things in the heavens but failing to notice what was just behind him and right by his feet. (Plato, Theaetetus 174a) 2. (11A10) The story goes that when they were reproaching him for his poverty, supposing that philosophy is useless, he learned from his astronomy that the olive crop would be large.
    [Show full text]
  • The Seven Sages.Pdf
    Document belonging to the Greek Mythology Link, a web site created by Carlos Parada, author of Genealogical Guide to Greek Mythology Characters • Places • Topics • Images • Bibliography • PDF Editions About • Copyright © 1997 Carlos Parada and Maicar Förlag. The Seven Sages of Greece Search the GML advanced Sections in this Page Introduction: The Labyrinth of Wisdom The Seven Sages of Greece Thales Solon Chilon Pittacus Bias "… wisdom is a form of goodness, and is not scientific knowledge but Cleobulus another kind of cognition." (Aristotle, Eudemian Ethics 1246b, 35). Periander Anacharsis Myson Epimenides Pherecydes Table: Lists of the Seven Sages Notes and Sources of Quotations Introduction: The Labyrinth of Wisdom For a god wisdom is perhaps a divine meal to be swallowed at one gulp without need of mastication, and that would be the end of the story. The deities are known for their simplicity. The matter of human wisdom, however, could fill all archives on earth without ever exhausting itself. Humanity is notorious for its complexity. And men proudly say "Good things are difficult." But is wisdom a labyrinth, or "thinking makes it so"? And when did the saga of human wisdom begin and with whom? The Poet When humans contemplated Dawn for the first time, wisdom was the treasure of the poet alone. Of all men he was the wisest, for the gods had chosen his soul as receptacle of their confidences. Thus filled with inspiration divine, the poet knew better than any other man the secrets of the world. And since Apollo found more pleasure in leading the Muses than in warming his tripod, neither the inspiration of the Pythia nor that of seers could match the poet's wisdom.
    [Show full text]
  • Odera Oruka in the Twenty-First Century
    Cultural Heritage and Contemporary Change Series II. African Philosophical Studies, Volume 20 Odera Oruka in the Twenty-first Century Kenyan Philosophical Studies, II Edited by Reginald M.J. Oduor Oriare Nyarwath Francis E.A. Owakah The Council for Research in Values and Philosophy Copyright © 2018 by The Council for Research in Values and Philosophy Gibbons Hall B-20 620 Michigan Avenue, NE Washington, D.C. 20064 All rights reserved Printed in the United States of America Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Names: Oduor, Reginald M. J., editor. Title: Odera Oruka in the twenty-first century / edited by Reginald M.J. Oduor, Oriare Nyarwath, Francis E.A. Owakah. Description: First [edition]. | Washington DC : Council for Research in Values and Philosophy, 2017. | Series: Cultural heritage and contemporary change. Series II, African philosophical studies ; Volume 20 | Series: Kenyan philosophical studies ; 2 | Includes bibliographical references and index. Identifiers: LCCN 2017051564 | ISBN 9781565183247 (pbk.) Subjects: LCSH: Oruka, H. Odera. | Philosophy, African. | Philosophers- -Kenya. Classification: LCC B5419.O784 O34 2017 | DDC 199/.6762--dc23 LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2017051564 Table of Contents Acknowledgements v Introduction 1 Part I. Life, Works, and Philosophical Orientation 1. Henry Odera Oruka: A Bio- bibliography 9 Hudson Ahmed Liyai, Oriare Nyarwath & Francis E.A. Owakah 2. Elements of Uniqueness in Odera Oruka’s Four Trends 29 Crispinous Iteyo Part II. Sage Philosophy 3. Reviving Sage Philosophy? 41 Kai Kresse 4. Inter-cultural Wisdom Research 51 Anke Graness 5. The Sage and the Shèngrén 圣人: Confucianism and 73 Henry Odera Oruka’s Sage Philosophy James Garrison 6.
    [Show full text]
  • Wisdom from the Seven Sages Ncient Greek Legend Has It That in the Sixth Century BCE, There Were Seven Sages in Greece Who Served the God Apollo
    Wisdom from the Seven Sages ncient Greek legend has it that in the sixth century BCE, there were seven sages in Greece who served the God Apollo. According to the ancient tales, at least three of their Abest known sayings were inscribed at the Temple of Apollo at Delphi, together with the enigmatic and still unexplained great letter E.1 Several other cultures, including India and China, also had stories of seven mythic sages,2 suggesting a universal and archetypal quality to these philosophers and their sayings. Scholars today suggest that from a kernel of mythic stories and sayings of sages from Asia Minor and Greece, the initiates of the mystery schools of Delphi and other centers used these legends to inspire pilgrims and students of the mysteries, probably well established by the fifth century BCE. All were in one way or another associated with Delphi.3 While over the centuries many names have been proposed, the following are the most common, gathered from the writings of Plato (fifth-fourth centuries BCE), Plutarch (first-second centuries CE), Pausanias (second century CE ), Diogenes Laertius (ca. third century CE), and Clement of Alexandria (third century CE). They are listed below, along with a wise saying often associated with them in antiquity.4 After all the centuries, these ideas are still worthy of meditation. “Love Wisdom Deeply.” Bias of Priene “Nothing in Excess.” Chilon of Sparta “Young Women should be educated as well as Young Men.” Cleobulus of Rhodes “Realities were not created to fit arguments; arguments were made to fit the realities.” Myson of Chenae “Mercy is better than Revenge.” Pittacus of Mytilene “Speech reflects Action.” Solon of Athens “Know Thyself, and Thou shalt know the Universe and the Gods.” Thales of Miletus Endnotes 1 “Seven Sages of Greece” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seven_Sages_of_Greece.
    [Show full text]
  • 2500 Years Since the Battle of Thermopylae
    NUMISMATIC PROGRAMME 20202020 HELLENIC REPUBLIC MINISTRY OF FINANCE €10 SILVER COIN DEDICATED TO: “2,500 YEARS SINCE THE BATTLE OF THERMOPYLAE” 10 EURO n the summer of 480 BC, some 7,000 Greek troops under Leonidas, king of Sparta, tried to halt the advance of the invading Persian army, led by Xerxes. Though vastly outnumbered, they decided to Itake up position at the straits of Thermopylae, which commanded the passage to mainland Greece. When the Persian king invited them to surrender their arms, Leonidas famously countered «Μολών λαβέ» (“come and take them”). Using the narrow pass to their advantage, the Greeks managed to hold their ground for two days, until they were betrayed by Ephialtes, who showed the Persians a mountain track leading them behind the Greek lines. On the third day, Leonidas, realising that the battle was lost, dismissed the troops of the other Greek cities, but chose to stay behind with his elite guard of 300 Spartans, the helots and the remaining Lacedemonians. They were joined by 700 Thespians, who also opted to stay, and they all fell on the battlefield. With their courageous last stand, Leonidas and his comrades inspired the Greeks to continue their fight against the Persians, setting an everlasting example of heroism and self-denial. TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS: Denomination: €10 Diameter: 40 mm Weight: 34.10 gr Edge: plain Material: silver 92.5% (Ag) Packaging: coin box with certificate of authenticity Maximum issue: 3,000 pieces Minting quality: proof Coin designed by: G. Stamatopoulos Price: €52.42 plus V.A.T. Launch of sales: 11/03/2020 NUMISMATIC PROGRAMME 2020 2 €10 SILVER COIN DEDICATED TO: “2,500 YEARS SINCE THE BATTLE OF SALAMIS” 10 EURO fter their victory at Thermopylae, the Persians pushed forward through Central Greece and sacked Athens.
    [Show full text]
  • 8 · the Foundations of Theoretical Cartography in Archaic and Classical Greece
    8 · The Foundations of Theoretical Cartography in Archaic and Classical Greece PREPARED BY THE EDITORS FROM MATERIALS SUPPLIED BY GERMAINE AUJAe Greek civilization started in the Minoan-Mycenaean age Likewise, it is not always realized that the vast ma­ (2100-1100 B.C.) and arguably continued to the fall of jority of our knowledge about Greek cartography in this the empires of Byzantium and Trebizond in the fifteenth early period is known from second- or third-hand ac­ century. Within this span of some three thousand years, counts. We have no original texts of Anaximander, Py­ the main achievements in Greek cartography took place thagoras, or Eratosthenes-all pillars of the development from about the sixth century B.C. to the culminating of Greek cartographic thought. In particular, there are work of Ptolemy in the second century A.D. This sem­ relatively few surviving artifacts in the form of graphic inal era can be conveniently divided into several peri­ representations that may be considered maps. Our carto­ ods around which the following chapters are shaped: graphic knowledge must therefore be gleaned largely the archaic and classical period (to the fourth cen­ from literary descriptions, often couched in poetic lan­ tury B.C.), the Hellenistic period (fourth and third guage and difficult to interpret. In addition, many other centuries B.C.), the early Greco-Roman period (second ancient texts alluding to maps are further distorted by century B.C. to the second century A.D.), and the age of being written centuries after the period they record; they Ptolemy (second century A.D.).1 too must be viewed with caution because they are sim­ It has often been remarked that the Greek contribution ilarly interpretative as well as descriptive.
    [Show full text]
  • Some Texts of General Relevance to the Broad Sweep of the Course
    Some Texts of General Relevance to the Broad Sweep of the Course a. A selection of interesting comments of Diogenes Laertius about the Greek Philosophers in his Lives and Opinions of the Eminent Philosophers in Ten Books (Lives of the Philosophers) i. Note: the value of Diogenes as a source is disputed. While through him we have access to many sources otherwise lost, he is widely held to have exercised bad judgment and to have focused on the sensational ii. Pythagoras was the first to call himself a “philosopher,” saying that only the gods are wise. All too quickly philosophy was called wisdom. iii. Diogenes Laertius’ “genealogy” of philosophers and schools (I, 13-15 [Loeb Classical Library edition]) 1. Initially there were two lineages: a. Ionian: i. (Thales), Anaximander, Anaximenes, Anaxagoras, Archelaus, Socrates,… ii. [Branch ending in Clitomachus:] Plato (founder of the Old Academy), Speusippus, Xenoceates, Polemo, Crantor, Crates, Arcesilaus (founder of Middle Academy), Lacydes (founder of the New Academy), Carneades, Clitomachus iii. [Branch ending in Chrysippus:] Antisthenes, Diogenes the Cynic, Crates of Thebes, Zeno of Citium, Cleanthes, Chrysippus. iv. [Branch ending in Theophrastus:] (from Plato:) Aristotle, Theophrastus. v. “In this manner the school of Ionia comes to an end.” b. Italian: i. Pherecydes, Pythagoras, his son Telauges, Xenophanes, Parmenides, Zeno of Elea, Leucippus, Democritus, many students, including Nausiphanes and Naucydes, Epicurus iv. Diogenes Laertius on the Seven Sages of Greece (I, 13 and II, 27-33 and 39-42) (II is the chapter on Thales): 1. Commonly known as wise (“sophoi”): Thales, Solon, Periander, Cleobulus, Chilon of Sparta, Bias, Pittacus.
    [Show full text]
  • S Ummer Staycation GREECE
    Sta er yc m a t m i u o n S GREECE Famous people & places Words & Phrases Map & Flag Quiz Food & Menus Virtual Visits Wildlife & Nature Staycation Journal Olympic Games Philosophy & Mythology You can find lots more activities to enjoy on your staycation at: Bath Mind’s Wellbeing Activities www.bathmind.org.uk GREECE Beautiful blue seas, a wealth of sandy beaches and delicious fresh food - it’s no wonder so many English usually travel to Greece for their holidays every year. There are thousands of Grek islands, though only about 170 of them are populated. The most popular are Santorini, Mykonos, Crete, Naxos, Paros, Corfu, Rhodes, Zakynthos, Lesbox and Skathos. Did you know.... Greece is often considered to be the world’s first democracy. During the summer tourist period, it’s not uncommon for there to be more tourists in Greece than actual Greek residents. Greek is the oldest written language which is still in existence. There are more than 4,000 traditional dances around the country. www.bathmind.org.uk UNESCO Sites Across Greece there are 18 UNESCO Heritage sites, all providing a rich insight into history. Some of the most popular are: Medieval City of Rhodes The Order of St John of Jerusalem occupied Rhodes from 1309 to 1523 and set about transforming the city into a stronghold. It then came under Turkish and Italian rule. in the Upper town. In the Lower Town, Gothic architecture coexists with mosques, public baths and other buildings dating from as early as the 16th century. Archaeological Site of Olympia The site of Olympia has been inhabited since prehistoric times.
    [Show full text]
  • Course Outline, Semester 2, 2007
    Faculty of Education and Arts School of Humanities and Social Science http://www.newcastle.edu.au/school/hss/ Newcastle Campus University Drive, Callaghan 2308 NSW Australia Office hours: 9am – 5pm Room: MC127 Phone: 02 4921 5172/5175/5155 Fax: 02 4921 6933 Email: [email protected] Web: http://www.newcastle.edu.au/school/hss/ AHIS1010 - Greece to the Persian Wars Course Outline Course Co-ordinator: Jane Bellemore Room: MCLG24 Ph: 4921 5231 Fax: 4921 6933 Email: [email protected] Consultation hours: Open hours Semester Semester 2 2007 Unit Weighting 10 Teaching Methods Lecture Brief Course Description Examines the history of Greece from the Bronze Age until the end of the Persian Wars, using both archaeological and literary evidence. In so doing it explains the rise of one of the most influential of all ancient cities, democratic Athens. Hence it introduces the world of ancient Greece, preparing the way for further study of Greece at 3000 level, and its methodology serves as an introduction to ancient history in general. Contact Hours Lecture for 2 Hours per Week for the Full Term Tutorial for 1 Hour per Week for 12 Weeks Tutorials commence in week 2 and end in week 13. Learning Materials/Texts Herodotus Histories, translated by Robin Waterfield, Oxford (OUP) 1998 Course Outline Issued and Correct as at: Week 1, Semester 2 - 2007 CTS Download Date: 5 July 2007 2 Course Objectives 1. To encourage a broad knowledge and understanding of the development of Greece up to the end of the Persian Wars. 2. To encourage an understanding of the changing conditions of Greek society, and respect for the manner in which it differed from our own.
    [Show full text]
  • DELPHI, Greece Modern Delphi Is Situated Immediately West of The
    DELPHI, Greece Modern Delphi is situated immediately west of the archaeological site and hence is a popular tourist destination. It is on a major highway linking Amfissa along with Itea and Arachova. There are many hotels and guest houses in the town, and many taverns and bars. The main streets are narrow, and often one-way. The E4 European long distance path passes through the east end of the town. In addition to the archaeological interest, Delphi attracts tourists visit- ing the Parnassus Ski Center and the popular coastal towns of the region. In the Middle Ages a town called Kastri was built on the archaeological site. The residents had used the marble columns and structures as support beams and roofs for their improvised houses, a usual way of rebuilding towns that were partially or totally destroyed, especially after the earthquake in 1580, which demolished several towns in Phocis. In 1893 archaeologists from the École française d'Athènes finally located the actual site of ancient Delphi and the vil- lage was moved to a new location, west of the site of the temples. The town Delphi has a population of 2,373 people while the population of the municipal unit of Delphi, including Chrisso (ancient Krissa), is 3,511. DELPHI, Archaeological Site Delphi (/ˈdɛlfaɪ/ or /ˈdɛlfi/; Greek: Δελφοί, [ðelˈfi]) is both an archaeological site and a modern town in Greece on the south-western spur of Mount Parnassus in the valley of Phocis. In myths dating to the classical period of Ancient Greece (510-323 BC), the site of Delphi was believed to be determined by Zeus when he sought to find the centre of his "Grandmother Earth" (Ge, Gaea, or Gaia).
    [Show full text]