At the 11th hour

World War I Remembrance Day; a brief mention of the Greek part in the war. Continue reading →

Coat of arms victorious

From Thermopylae to WW II, by means of a song. Continue reading →

For want of some water…

This gallery contains 7 photos.

By the time the Greek War of Independence broke out, in 1821, the Acropolis had become one of the most heavily fortified castles in Greece. Three of its slopes were so steep that an attack there was impossible. The only … Continue reading →

The female experience of war in Ancient Greece

This gallery contains 10 photos.

In ancient Greek warfare women took hardly any part in the conflicts and were mostly restricted to the role of passive non-combatant. Considering this, it is indeed strange that the Greek pantheon contains at least two women warriors, namely Athena … Continue reading →

Suffer, the little children…

This gallery contains 4 photos.

On the night Troy was sacked, Neoptolemus, son of Achilles, ran into Andromache. The widow of his father’s most bitter foe (Hector) was running for her life, with baby Astyanax in her arms. Snatching the infant, Neoptolemus killed it savagely, … Continue reading →

These Spartans were on time

This gallery contains 2 photos.

During the 34th “Authentic” Athens Marathon a group of runners, dressed a bit like the Spartans of the movie “300,” (but with modern running shoes and socks) made heads turn. The Polish runners belong to a group called “Spartans for … Continue reading →

Olympic truce – fact or fiction?

This gallery contains 9 photos.

Olympic Games cancelled due to wars, countries barred from participating, boycotts, political protests, a terrorist attack – these are but few of the things that mar modern Olympics. Some shake their heads claiming that such things would never happen in antiquity, … Continue reading →

Photo of the week: the Greek War of Independence

This gallery contains 1 photo.

Today’s picture is in honor of the Greek War of Independence, celebrated throughout Greece on March 25th. The picture belongs to a series of paintings (and other works of art) inspired by the war, which broke out in 1821. More … Continue reading →

Quiz of the week: An odd wall

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Anyone taking a walk in the historic district of Athens (known as Plaka) will certainly have walked past this wall, seen it, maybe even photographed it. It is the Northern side of the Acropolis wall. But saturated with too much … Continue reading →

German bombers above Αthens

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On Sunday, October 28th, the Greeks honored their country’s entering World War II, after an ultimatum from expansionist Italy. Contrary to all expectations, small and poorly equipped Greece managed to push back the invaders, causing much exultation in occupied Europe … Continue reading →