It may be that nowadays the electric car makes quite the impression and is funded by big industrial firms, but in Greece, it was already constructed for the first time 45 years ago!

The electric car is hosted in the industrial museum of Syros. The car was built in 1973 in an old mill building close to the Neorion yard of Ermoupolis, the capital of Syros.

This electric car is the model Enfield 8000, an innovation at the time when the problem of air pollution had made its appearance in the big cities. At the same time, the concern related to oil stocks and dependence on them also grew big. It seemed that an electric car would solve many problems.

History of the electric car of Syros island

The car’s history began in the late 1960s. The company Enfield Automotive, based in the Isle of Wight of Great Britain and owned by the Greek John Goulandris (a member of a large shipowner family), won a competition for a contract with the Council of Electric Energy of England. Shortly before the start of the production of the car, Goulandris encountered technical problems with the Isle of Wight and so decided to move the factory to Syros. It was a risky decision, as the island of Syros had a long tradition in shipbuilding but no relation to the manufacturing of cars, let alone electric. However, it seems that the outcome vindicated Goulandris. The designer of the electric model was George Michael. The construction involved men from the yard, engineers, craftsmen from Syros, Piraeus, and many other places around Greece. It was a truly Greek affair.

To celebrate the history of the first electric car in Greece, a documentary was filmed, titled "A tale of two Isles", directed by Michael Stavropoulos (Director of the magazine for cars). One day Michael Stavropoulos went to Syros to try a modern electric car. On this occasion, he was introduced to the Greek story of the electric car, talked with people involved in the construction, and finally made a movie about the Enfield 8000.

To read this article in full and discover more about the Enfield 8000, please visit: omilo.co

Omilo Greek Language and Culture inspires people from all over the world to learn Greek, while exploring Greece. They offer 1- and 2-week courses for adults that combine beautiful course locations, experienced teachers, and a balanced combination of Greek classes with cultural activities. All these make Omilo a place where people enjoy learning modern Greek and have fun.

Besides the courses, Omilo also creates online publications to help adults expand their language skills through Language Books and eBooks for different language levels.

And, what is the birthplace of philosophy? Greece, of course!

Greeks were among the first people to break free from the tradition of mythological explanations and the overall mysticism that defined ancient history. They went from a narrow, superficial, one-dimensional view of the world to a deep and thorough interpretation largely based on reasoning and evidence. Their abstruse yet eloquent philosophical ideas about politics, science, and the universe set the basis of Western civilization's thinking and earned them the recognition that still lives to this day. Here's a list of the top 5 most influential Greek philosophers! 

Thales of Miletus (620 BC–546 BC)


Source: Wikimedia Commons

Being a mathematician and astronomer, Thales is often referred to as the "Father of Science", and he is historically recognized as the first individual to engage in scientific philosophy. He tried to explain various natural phenomena without the inclusion of mythology, using only naturalistic theories and hypotheses. According to Aristotle, he investigated a number of basic principles, such as the origin of matter and he proposed water as the basic component of the world. He also excelled in mathematics and geometry, which he used to calculate the heights of the pyramids and he is the first known individual to whom a mathematician discovery has been attributed. 

Famous Quote: "All human sufferings, come from ignorance." 

Pythagoras of Samos (570 BC–495 BC)


Source: Galilea/Wikimedia Commons

Pythagoras was an ancient Greek mathematician and pre-socratic philosopher, known for founding Pythagoreanism and inventing the Pythagorean Theorem, one of the key computations in geometry. He is associated with the concept of "metempsychosis", meaning the transmigration of souls, according to which every soul is immortal and enters a new body upon its death. He regarded the world as perfectly harmonious and was particularly interested in developing ideas and rules that could lead to a harmonious life. He may also have invented the doctrine of "musica universalis", the hypothesis that planets move according to mathematical equations and produce an inaudible symphony of music.

Famous Quote: "A fool is known by his speech, and a wise man by silence."

Aristotle (384 BC–322 BC)


Source: Lysippos/Wikimedia Commons

A student of Plato and the teacher of Alexander the Great, Aristotle was a Greek philosopher and polymath, justifiably considered one of the world’s most influential ancient philosophers. He was an imaginative and prolific writer whose writings cover numerous subjects including physics, biology, metaphysics, logic, ethics, economics, politics, and much more. At a time when most philosophers preferred a more theoretical perception of the world, one that was beyond the accessibility of the physical senses, Aristotle was one of the first to propose an interpretation of the world mainly based on facts learned from the experience. 

Famous Quote: "We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit."

Plato (427 BC–347 BC)


Source: Mary Harrsch/Wikimedia Commons

A student of Socrates, Plato is regarded as the founder of one of the world's first known institutions of higher learning, the Academy of Athens. Plato's philosophy is based on a threefold approach: dialects, ethics, and physics. His most famous theory is the theory of the forms, the fundamental doctrine of Platonic idealism, according to which only ideas encapsulate the true and essential nature of things, in a way that the physical form can't. In other words, Plato believed that the substantive reality around us is only a reflection of a higher truth, the abstraction. Thanks to his famous dialog "The Republic", where he described a city-state defined by justice, he became known as the "Father of Political Science", with his political ideas, although somewhat utopian, still being praised today. 

Famous Quote: "Reality is created by the mind, we can change our reality by changing our mind."

Socrates (469 BC–399 BC)


Source: Norto Mendez/Wikimedia Commons

Widely regarded as a founder of Western philosophy and the first moral philosopher of the Western ethical tradition of thought, Socrates was an enigmatic and perplexing character who didn't write any books and most of his philosophical contributions come from his students, mainly Plato and Xenophon. He became famous for encouraging people to critically question everything and attempting to construct an ethical framework based on human reasoning instead of various contentious theological ideas. His greatest contribution to philosophy was the Socratic Method, an argumentative dialog between individuals, based on asking and answering thought-provoking questions to stimulate critical thinking and draw out ideas and underlying presumptions. His radical beliefs led to him being tried and convicted for corrupting the youth and his legendary trial and death at the altar of the ancient Greek democratic system will forever remain in history.

Famous Quote: "The only true wisdom is in knowing, that you know nothing".

Greece is one of the most important cultural hubs of the world, sprinkled with numerous archaeological sites. From the world-famous temple of Parthenon to the ancient theater of Epidaurus, there is so much one can discover. However, there are some lesser-known archaeological sites in the country that hold their own rich history, even though not many people have heard of them.

Here's a list of the lesser-known archaeological wonders of Greece, perfect for history aficionados and those who love sightseeing! 

Nikopolis 


Octavian Theater Nikopolis. Source: Harrygouvas/Wikimedia Commons

Located 7km north of Preveza, Nikopolis, the largest ancient city in Greece, was founded by Octavianus Augustus in 31 BC to commemorate his nearby victory over Antony and Cleopatra in the naval battle of Actium. Every four years, the city celebrated the Actia, festivals including athletic, musical and racing contests. Among the most important monuments that can be found in the area are the Theatre, the Odeum, the Monument of Augustus, and the Nymphaeum. 

Ancient Calydon 


Source: Vasarchit/Wikimedia Commons

The ancient city of Calydon is located about 10km from modern Mesolongi. According to tradition, the town was founded by Calydon, son of Aetolus, and it's mentioned by Homer as one of the five Aetolian cities that participated in the Trojan War. The site is also known for the Calydonian bear sent by Artemis to ravage the area because its king failed to honor her. Today, one can admire the temple of Artemis, Apollo, and Dionysus, as well as the ancient theater and the tomb of the Calydonian hero, Leo. 

Karthea 


Source: Augusto Gasbarri/wondergreece.gr

Karthea is the most important of the four ancient city-states of the Cycladic island of Kea. It was founded in the Archaic times and survived until the early Byzantine times. Little remains today from the ancient town, however, the route there is very popular for trekking. Some of the most interesting monuments in Karthea include the Doric temple of goddess Athena and the archaic Temple of Pythion Apollo (530 BC). The Archeological Museum of Kea exhibits parts of this fascinating ancient city.

Orraon


Source: Harrygouvas/Wikimedia Commons

Located in Epirus, the archaeological site of Orraon is sometimes described as the most well-preserved ancient settlement in Greece. It was founded in the 4th century BC, and in 31 BC it was abandoned by its inhabitants who were obliged to settle in Nikopolis. Apart from the exceptional preservation of the stone-built private houses, the defensive character of Orraon is truly remarkable. With massive fortification walls reinforced with towers, this city-fortress was located in a strategic position, guarding the passage from the Amvrakikos Gulf to the Ioannina basin.

Lying off the beaten track for most tourists, Asklepion is perched high above the harbor of the island of Kos. In antiquity, the site served as a sanatorium, and, as the name hints, it was dedicated to Aesculapius, son of Apollo, god of medicine and healing. The site consists of three terraces, the highest one enjoying a breathtaking view of the town of Kos. It might be high up, but admiring the amazingly well-preserved temple is rewarding. 

The suggestion that ancient Greeks reached America before Columbus may seem far-fetched, but certain researchers think otherwise.

The idea is based entirely on a new examination of a dialogue written by the Greek historian Plutarch, who lived from 46 to 119 AD.

Dr. Ioannis Liritzis, a professor of archaeonomy (the physics of archaeology) at the University of the Aegean studied Plutarch’s text and came up with a theory that ancient Greeks did indeed reach America.

In Plutarch’s text, “On the Face Which Appears in the Orb of the Moon,” commonly known as “De Facie", Lambrias asks Sylla the Carthaginian to retell a story he had heard from the servants of the temple of Cronus in Carthage. Sylla tells Lambrias about a traveler who visited the temple after returning from a long journey to a distant, vast continent.

Greek scientist claims Greeks voyaged to America

Dr. Liritzis bases his theory on scientific data in a paper co-written with astronomer Panagiota Preka-Papadema, philosopher Konstantinos Kalachanis, meteorologist Chris Tzanis, and information technology consultant Panagiotis Antonopoulos.

According to the traveler in De Facie, new travelers would make the journey to the great continent roughly every 30 years, when the planet Saturn appeared in the constellation Taurus.

The researchers argue that the Greeks could have used their detailed knowledge of astronomy to pinpoint the locations of Atlantic currents that could move them westward.

A total eclipse of the sun appears in the story described by the traveler in De Facie; the Greek research team searched five millennia of eclipse records to find one that met the parameters of the dialogue.

The researchers settled on one eclipse, which took place in 75 AD. Using astronomy software, Dr. Liritzis’ team saw that in the decades around this eclipse, Saturn would have indeed appeared in Taurus during three periods: from 26 to 29 AD, 56 to 58 AD, and 85 to 88 AD.

The team used the 75 AD eclipse to calculate the timing of the conversation between Plutarch’s informant and Sylla, who had traveled to the great continent.

Based on this, Liritzis and his colleagues timed the trip itself to the period when Saturn was most recently in Taurus, i.e. 56 AD.

The researchers postulated that preparations for the journey described by Sylla would have started that year. The travelers would have arrived in North America in 57 AD.

The ancient Greeks stayed in America for a year and sailed home in the fall of 58 AD when Saturn moved out of Taurus. This was the most recent voyage to the time of Plutarch’s writing.

According to the text, such journeys must have taken place every 30 years over a span of several centuries, the Greek team assumes.

Analysis of De Facie takes clues from the geographic descriptions made at the time as well. Plutarch’s text mentions a “great continent” beyond the isle of Ogygia, which, according to the text, is itself a five-day trip by trireme west from Britain.

Plutarch also wrote that the Greek settlers accessed the “great continent” through a bay that lines up with the Volga River delta, the northern entrance to the Caspian Sea.

Liritzis referred to Google Earth and drew a line from this location across the Atlantic, and found it led to the Gulf of St. Lawrence in Canada.

The scientist says the ancient Greek settlers may have journeyed to today’s America for the sake of exploration, for riches, or for religious purposes.

He says that they would have made the journey when Saturn was in Taurus because they closely followed astronomical phenomena associated with Kronos, the father of Zeus.

The Antikythera Mechanism, a sort of astronomical computer for ancient Greeks, supports the theory that they followed the movements of the stars and planets closely.

To read this article in full, please visit: greekreporter.org

The magnificent archaeological site of Phaistos where an imposing palace stood overlooking the Mediterranean for thousands of years is perhaps not as well known as the palace of Knossos, but it was a focal point in the long and illustrious history of Crete.

It is the second-largest Cretan palace founded by the legendary King Minos of Knossos, but it does not face the Peloponnese mainland like Kydonia does, but rather southward and outward, toward the Mediterranean.

The palatial fortress, located in a seismically active zone, was rebuilt twice after it was first constructed in the Late Bronze Age.

Later, the palatial city, which archaeologists believe was a dependency of Knossos, was tragically destroyed a third time by the nearby Minoan people known as the Gortynians.

Phaistos site of Minoan-era palace with rooms made of alabaster

Located 62 km from Heraklion, Crete, the Bronze Age site lies on the outskirts of the modern-day city of Faistos. Unlike the more well-known and visited site of Knossos, which sees many thousands of visitors every year, Phaistos is more difficult to reach, accessed by grand stairs; but its mountain fastness, with its commanding views over the Mediterranean, is especially impressive because of its location.

The grand staircases at Phaistos hint at its former grandeur. There is evidence of an amphitheater, and basins used for religious rituals still dot the site. Visitors to Phaistos can still take in the views from its courtyards and terraces. A closer look at its ruins reveals reconstruction repairs over the three phases of destruction, while the tombs of rulers are located a respectful distance from the palaces.

The Bronze Age ruins of Phaistos were first described in the modern era by Thomas Abel Brimage Spratt, as part of the Mediterranean Survey of 1853, which included the topography, settlements, and monuments of Crete. But of course, the once-elegant city was well known by the ancients; the Greek geographer Strabo, who lived from 64 BC to 24 AD, stated: “Of the three cities that were united under one metropolis by Minos, the third, which was Phaestus, was razed to the ground by the Gortynians; it is sixty stadia distant from Gortyn, twenty from the sea, and forty from the seaport Matalum; and the country is held by those who razed it.”

The extensive palace complex contained a theater, grand staircases, rooms with views of Mt. Psiloritis

Spratt and his crew found homes at the site that have since been removed, as well as the fortification walls of the palatial city.Federico Halbherr later began to uncover the remains of an extensive palace complex at Phaistos.

Pottery unearthed at Phaistos dates back to the Middle and Late Minoan periods, including polychrome items and embossing in imitation of metal work. Bronze Age works from Phaistos include bridge-spouted bowls, eggshell cups, tall jars, and large pithoi.

The levels of the theater area, flanked by two splendid staircases, made for a grand entrance to the main hall of the propylaea through tall doors. A twin gate led directly to the central courtyard through a wide street.

The upper floors of the west sector had spacious ceremonial rooms, although their exact restoration has not been possible.

The spectacular entrance from the central courtyard led to the royal apartments in the north part of the palace, with a view of the tops of Psiloritis. The rooms were constructed from alabaster and other materials. The rooms for princes were smaller and less luxurious than the rooms of the royal apartments, however.

The Phaistos Disc

One of the most remarkable artifacts in Greek history was found at Phaistos in 1908, when Luigi Pernier, an Italian archaeologist and academic working with the Italian School of Archaeology in Athens discovered the Phaistos Disc in a basement in the northernmost ruins of the palace complex.

The disc features symbols stamped in clay; measuring 15 cm, its hieroglyphic script has been dated to between 1950 and 1400 BC. One of the most striking displays at the Heraklion Archaeological Museum, its 241 tokens with 45 symbols, or characters, are arranged in a clockwise spiral. One guess is that it is a recording of military or hunting exploits. However, most academic attempts to decipher a syllabary or logogram for the Disc have had disappointing results; it is generally agreed that more examples are needed to break its code. 

To read this article in full and discover more interesting facts about Phaistos, please visit: greekreporter.com

The Ancient Greeks loved their sports, and for this obvious reason staged the first formal Olympic Games in 776 B.C., giving the world the idea of organized sports events as entertainment for arenas full of spectators and adoration for new heroes. 

The Ancient Greeks were the first culture in which people idolized their favorite athletic superstars, to a level that even today’s most fanatical sports fans might find extreme.

1. Horse Races

Kele, or riders competing on horseback, was added to the Olympics in 648 B.C., according to Miller’s book. The race was about 1.2 kilometers (approximately three-quarters of a mile) in length. The jockeys—who were young boys and probably slaves—rode bareback, without stirrups, though they did have reins and a whip to guide the horses.

2. Running

The Greeks loved footraces, particularly the stadion, which was named after an ancient unit of measurement and corresponded to the 200-meter sprint in modern track, according to Stephen Gaylord Miller’s Ancient Greek Athletics. From 776 to 726 B.C., it was the only event at the Olympic Games. The Greeks later added the diaulos, the equivalent of today’s 400 meters event, as well as a distance event, the dolichos, which was between 7.5 and 9 kilometers—roughly similar to the 10K event that countless recreational runners now participate in each weekend. But the Greeks had one event that has no modern counterpart—the hoplitodromos, in which competitors emulated Greek infantry, and ran wearing helmets and bronze shin guards and carried shields.

3. Wrestling

In ancient Greek-style wrestling, grapplers fought in a standing position, with the object of throwing the opponent to the ground, according to Miller. The concept of pinning an adversary’s shoulders to the ground didn’t yet exist. Instead, wrestlers won a match by throwing an opponent three times. Another unique feature of the ancient event was that there were no weight classes, according to Lunt. The most fearsome wrestler of ancient times was Milos of Kroton, who in legend developed his great strength by lifting and carrying a newborn calf until it grew into a full-sized ox.

4. Pentathlon

The discus and javelin, to modern field events, date back to the ancient Greeks, but back then, they weren’t separate events. Instead, they were part of the pentathlon, a five-event combination that also included the long jump, running, and wrestling. The Greeks had lead or stone weights, called halteres, that some believe jumpers used in an effort to propel themselves further during the competition, though Lunt believes that the weights were only used in training.

To read this article in full, please visit: greekcitytimes.com

Veganism, the abstinence of the use of all animal products, is one of the fastest-growing lifestyle movements in the world. 

Here in Greece, long renowned for its love of meat, veganism is becoming increasingly popular, especially among the younger generations. While the concept is still relatively new in mainstream Greek society, more and more shops and restaurants are offering plant-based products. And while fasting is a long-established tenet of the Greek Orthodox faith – the current Lenten fasting period calls on the Faithful to follow a vegan diet until Easter – the traditional Greek diet has always been blessed with a plethora of vegan and vegetarian options.

If veganism is becoming an increasingly popular lifestyle choice now, then what were the attitudes to meat-eating and the exploitation of animals in the ancient Greek past?

Who were the first vegans? 

With the rise of agriculture in the Neolithic, first developed around 10,000 BC, the earliest farmers continued to rely on a largely plant-based diet, only turning to meat for special occasions and group feasting. It was during this time that dairy products were first consumed – milk and early forms of cheese and yogurt.

For the vast majority of human history, therefore, meat was seen as a rare treat, which largely debunks the claim that the so-called “Paleo-diet” should be heavily based on meat. But when did veganism and vegetarianism become a lifestyle based on social justice and ethics? For that, we need to turn to some of the world’s oldest religions and ancient philosophical schools that taught non-violence to all living forms, among them the ancient Greek Pythagoreans and the mysterious Orphics.

The Pythagorean Way Of Life

To the ancient Greeks, strict vegetarianism (abstaining from meat and sometimes eggs) was called “abstinence from beings with a soul.” While Greek literature and art are studded with images of people eating meat, famously in the Homeric epics, in general, meat consumption was certainly not as common as it is today. For many, meat would have been prohibitively expensive, reserved only for special occasions, but as a specific way of life, abstaining from animal foods was limited to a small number of religious and philosophical sects.

The earliest evidence for the theory and practice of abstaining from meat comes from the 6th century BC when the Greek mathematician and philosopher Pythagoras voiced his moral objection to the mistreatment of animals. While no authentic writings of the philosopher have survived, it was argued by later authors, notably the Roman poet Ovid, that he likened the consumption of meat to cannibalism. 

Followers of Pythagoras also shunned the sacrifice of animals and the ritual offering of meat to the gods, believing that it was not necessary to inflict pain and suffering on another sentient being. This belief soon influenced other philosophers, including Empedocles, who was said to have refused to perform a blood sacrifice following victory in a horse race at Olympia.

Similarly the mysterious Orphics, an ascetic sect based on the mythical poet Orpheus whose views and practices mirrored elements of Pythagoreanism, adhered to a strict vegetarian diet that also excluded broad beans, believing that they contained the souls of the dead.

While it is clear that strict vegetarianism was a well-known practice in ancient Greece, we have no way of knowing if any of the adherents of these religious and philosophical schools of thought extended it to mean the total abstention from ALL animal products – i.e. meat, fish and seafood, eggs, cheese, milk, yogurt, honey, and the use of leather hides and fur.

Nevertheless, arguments about the ethical treatment of animals abounded in Greek philosophical circles since at least the 6th century BC. As such, the recent surge in veganism and other diets that reduce the exploitation of animal products on moral grounds is certainly nothing new.

To read this article in full, please visit: greece-is.com

 

Lycabettus Hill

 

 

 

Philopappos Hill


 

 

 

Acropolis Hill 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

Translated by: Codico Lab