Wars are won or lost on a number of strategic factors: the greatest fighters, a well-equipped army, ferocious weaponry, and a well thought out ploy. Given these all played out on the plain of Troy another major element was integral in the final outcome of the war. Each side had allies, whereas the Akhaians were predominantly Greek, the Trojans bolstered their numbers from neighbouring states, empires with whom they had trade treaties.

An ally is:
(Noun)
• A state formally cooperating with another for a military or other purpose.
(Verb)
Ally something to/with
• Combine or unite a resource or commodity with (another) for mutual benefit.
Oxford Dictionary

Patroclus (naked, on the right) kills Sarpedon (wearing Lycian clothes, on the left) with his spear, while Glaucus comes to the latter’s help., ca. 400 BC.
Museo Nazionale Archaeologico of Policoro.
Author Jastrow
Wikipedia

The Trojan allies came from near and far, but the ones who get the most mention in the Iliad come from Lycia. In Hittite language it was called Lukka, Lykia is the Greek interpretation. Lycia was located in southern coast of Turkey, now the region of Antalya and Mugla. According to historical accounts, Lycia existed circa 1450BCE though they may have been in the region longer, however they did not leave any written records behind. The earliest mention of the Lycians is from Hittite and Egyptian texts which did not paint them in a positive light. From the Hittite and Egyptian transaction reports they considered the Lycians as rebels, pirates and raiders.

Sarpedon, a prince from Lycia and a son of Zeus, was the esteemed warrior who led the army. From excerpts in the poem, Sarpedon proves himself to be a worthy opponent and a strong ally. He did not shy away from bloody combat and when Hektor thought to retreat after a particular vicious attack by the Greeks fronted by Diomedes, Sarpedon has a few words to say.

Sculpted neo attic sarcophagus representing the battle at the ships in the Trojan war, circa 3rd C AD
Thessaloniki Archaeological Museum
Photograph taken by Marsyas
Wikipedia

Hektor, where is the spirit you used to show? You talked of holding the town without troops or allies, single-handed but for your brothers and brothers-in-law. But I look around and can’t see a single one. They are cowering like dogs before a lion, while we do the fighting, though we came in only as your allies.
Take me. It was a long, long journey I made to reinforce you. It is a far cry from Lycia and the eddying River Xanthus…
Book 5, Lines 472-479

Well, more than a few words…
His bravery and valour was shown many times, he even pulled down the defensive wall the Greeks had built. This display encouraged his men to charge in and fight. Neither side gave ground and was a brutal battle.

It was Patroklos who killed the steadfast Sarpedon during a chariot confrontation, an act which resulted in his own death. Glaukos, Sarpedon’s countryman, rallied the Lycians to protect the body of their prince and prevent it from being stripped by the Greeks.

Patroklos threw his spear… It struck Sarpedon where the lungs enclosed his dense heart…
Book 16, Lines 479-480

Zeus commanded Apollo to retrieve his son’s body, clean and anoint it with ambrosia where he was later taken to Lycia for an honourable burial.

Cista handle: Sleep and Death Carrying off the Slain Sarpedon, 400-380 BCE, bronze, Etruscan, Italy.
Cleveland Museum of Art
Author Wmpearl
Wikipedia

Sarpedon showed depth of character as a respected and valuable ally, one who did not shirk his responsibilities or support.

Thank you for reading and visiting. As always, I look forward to your comments.

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The notion of royalty being a part of the armed forces is not a new one and goes back thousands of years. Princes William and Harry are fulfilling a long line of royalty commitment to defence. Throughout history, there are written accounts of members of the royal family from the king to the prince/s that went to war. Some, as it were only in title but many did fight. It was their duty to lead. King Ramesses II led his legions of Egyptians during the most famous and propagandist battles of Kadesh, blazing across the desert on his chariot. The kings of the Greek city-states led their men and the leaders of the Trojan allies were commanded by kings and/or princes. One, however, was notable for his prowess as a warrior akin to Hektor was also the founding father of Rome.

Aeneas fleeing with Anchisis, Iulos and a fourth person from Troy, protected by Aphrodite
circa 510 BC; found in Etruria
Kestner-Museum, Hanover Germany
Picture taken by Marcus Cyron
Wikipedia

Aineias/Aeneas was the son of Anchises and Aphrodite, prince of Dardania. His family, on the paternal side, was related to King Priam. In spite of Aineias’ noble lineage, King Priam did not acknowledge the former’s birth right, a slight of honour by an arrogant man.

Deiphobos, a son of Priam’s, thinks this as he approaches Aineias to help retrieve the body of the Dardanian’s brother-in-law:
‘Aineias always bore godlike Priam a grudge because Priam gave him such little respect, though he was as good a man as any.’
Book 13, Lines 460-462

Much like the United States who didn’t join the Second World War until Pearl Harbour was hit Aineias did not participate in the war against the Greeks. It was Akhilleus who impelled him to take part because the Myrmidon attacked Aineias while he tended to his flock on Mount Ida and took his cattle.

In a number of pivotal scenes, Aineias shows his skills as a warrior on the battlefield, either throwing a spear while racing into the fray on his chariot or in hand to hand combat. He even faced Akhilleus who regarded him a worthy competitor. There is a great description of the fight sequence and a lot of words exchanged between the two in Book 20. However, Aineias’ fate wasn’t to die on the plain of Troy. He was whisked away by Poseidon.

‘…Zeus might be angry if Akhilleus kills Aineias, who after all is destined to survive and save the line of Dardanos from extinction.’
Book 20, Lines 300-301

Aeneas fleeing from Troy
Pompeo Batoni, 1753
Sabauda Gallery, Turin
Wikipedia

Is he a great warrior as the later epics regarded him? There are only few notable fight sequences Aineias was involved and in two, he was rescued by gods. So how did he become regarded as an esteemed soldier by both Greeks and Trojans? His courage and ability to lead. His eventual escape from Troy with his father, son and Trojan refugees allowed later bards to create a new legend of his search for a new Troy.

Thank you for visiting and reading. I look forward to your comments.

Further reading:
Aeneas, Greek Mythology Link
Aeneas, Greek and Roman Mythology

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The role of women in the Iliad is the central to the story, the war precipitated by the capture of a female of royal lineage along with untold wealth. From the beginning of the story, the tenth year of the war, the Greek forces are plagued with an incurable disease. How and why did it happen? Because of a woman. Female characters do feature throughout the story in one form or another and apart from Helen, one other created such havoc in the Greek camp, their champion and stalwart warrior refused to participate any further.

The taking away of Briseis, side B of a red-figure Attic skyphos.
Ca. 480 BC
Louvre Museum
Wikimedia commons

Briseis was the queen of Lyrnessos, abducted by Akhilleus after her husband and brothers were killed in one of the many raids led by the Myrmidon. He claimed her as a prize and concubine, as many of the women of the time were treated. How long was Briseis held captive by Akhilleus was never explained but from his reaction and dialogue, enough time for a bond to form.

Akhilleus disdain for Agamemnon is evident when the king refuses to return the priest’s daughter. This is the start of the trouble for the Greeks as Agamemnon wants to show who is in charge and teach Akhilleus a lesson.

‘But here is a threat: in the same way as Phoebos Apollo is robbing me of Chryseis, whom I propose to send off in my ship with my crew, I will come in person to your hut and take away fair-cheeked Briseis, your prize, Akhilleus, to let you know how far I am your superior and to teach others to shrink from claiming parity with me and playing the equal to my face.’
Lines 182-188

Taking Briseis away from Akhilleus was detrimental not only to the Greek army but also questioned Agamemnon’s position as overall leader. Akhilleus’ withdrawal from the fight gave the Trojans the opportunity to strike and launch an attack. There is a touching scene where Patroklos by the orders of Akhilleus leads Briseis out to Agamemnon’s heralds:

‘…the girl went unwillingly with them.
Withdrawing from his men, Akhilleus broke into tears. He sat down by himself on the shore of the grey sea and looked out across the boundless ocean.’

This shows a softer side to Akhilleus, an inner quality perhaps only a few were privy to see. The yin and yang of his personality.

Eurybates and Talthybios lead Briseiis to Agamemnon, the concubine of Achilles
Giovanni Battista Tiepolo 1757
Villa Valmarana, Vicenza
Wikipedia

Briseis was a commodity, as were all women during the war, and as such had no choice but to surrender her virtue and person to the victor. To do anything less would mean death. Survival is at the core of all humans, only when despair takes hold then the desire to die is stronger. Briseis succumbed to the “Stockholm Syndrome” as described by an FBI paper: a “psychological response of a hostage or an individual in a similar situation in which the more dominant person has the power to put the victim’s life in danger.” It is more common than most realise, when the victim sympathises and falls in love with their kidnapper. Perhaps it is the brain’s way of coping with the situation by protecting the victim from further harm.
I will leave you with the following quote:

Men, when they receive good from whence they expect evil,
feel the more indebted to their benefactor.
—Niccolo Machiavelli

Thank you for visiting and reading. As always, I look forward to your comments.

Further reading:
Briseis Greek Mythology Link
Briseis – Mortal Women of the Trojan War, Stanford University

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‘In peace, sons bury their fathers. In war, fathers bury their sons.’
Herodotos

How does one reconcile the loss of so many offspring, the destruction of their home and the death of their people? Such personal suffering could never be healed. These events litter the history books and still wars happen. Power, greed, the desire to dominate and subjugate, annihilate are the basic premises. The cost of innocent lives, homes, cultures and humanity don’t seem to be considered as long as the end result is achieved, however one gets there. For Priam, the last King of Troy, he witnessed the end.

Death of Priam
Louvre
Wikipedia

Priam didn’t heed the prophetic warnings of the seers nor his daughter when told his son would bring death and devastation. Prior to Paris’ birth, Hekuba had a vision and a seer advised them to expose him to the elements, which Priam did follow. Years later Paris arrived to compete in a competition and Cassandra recognised him straight away. She tried to warn her parents when they learned who he was, but was ignored.

The King of Troy had many opportunities to stop the war but the advice fell on deaf ears. Was he trying to make amends for abandoning Paris as a baby? That’s one possibility, for example when he supported his son who refused to give up Helen and instead, willing to return the goods he stole. The other: arrogance. How could anyone destroy a “well-walled” city? Homer repeatedly makes reference to the walls of Troy which were built by Poseidon and Apollo.

‘…the walls of the well-built town’ Book 21, line 514-515
‘They [Trojan warriors] were making straight for the town and the high wall…’ Book 21, lines 539-540
‘Then the Trojans’ town with its high gates…’ line 545

When Hektor is killed, Priam protected by Hermes, enters the Greek camp and appeals to Akhilleus to release his son. It is perhaps the saddest and most compelling part of the story. Homer presents the characters as surrogates: Priam, as the father Akhilleus will never see again, and Akhilleus, the son loved and cherished by a father figure. There was respect also, from Akhilleus’ point of view, of the old man who was brave to venture alone into enemy territory. The king in turn admired the younger man for his fighting prowess and being fearless. We have here people, the mutual admiration society. ;D

Priam beseeches Akhilleus for Hektor’s corpse
Bertel Thorvaldsen 1815
Wikimedia

Priam, his family and Trojans honour Hektor with a funeral and which marks the end of the Iliad.

Could have Priam avoided the ten year long war? He certainly had the means and options to do so but I guess it wouldn’t make for a great story. Do you think Priam was at fault? Love to hear from you.
Thank you for visiting and reading.

Further reading:
Priam, Greek and Roman Mythology
Priam, Greek Mythology Link
Priam, Myths Encyclopaedia: Myths and legends of the world

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‘Well behaved women rarely make history.’
Eleanor Roosevelt

Imagine yourself sitting in a magnificent citadel and outside you can hear the roar of men as they charge at each other. The ringing of swords as they clash. The thunder of hooves as horse drawn chariots race across the plain of Troy. The whistling of arrows jettisoned into the air. The cries of men as they are stabbed, slashed, pierced and hacked. The ground covered with dead bodies. The stench of blood, urine and loosened bowels suffocates and billows into the air. Ten long years you have listened and watched the decimation of human life. What could you have done? What should have you done?

Helen of Troy
Lord Frederick Leighton
Wikimedia

Helen’s role in the Iliad is such a small part yet had a significant impact on the story. She became the embodiment of how men perceived women, a way to stifle and render them into subservient roles. Helen (women) was a possession, as depicted by Paris who, guaranteed by Aphrodite’s promise, to possess the most beautiful woman. And by Odysseus who manipulated the Greek leaders into forming an ‘alliance’ if anything was to happen to Helen when Menelaos was chosen to be her husband.

Regardless the real reason for the war (I will discuss that point in my summation of the Iliad), Helen was reviled and blamed for the destruction of Troy and Trojans and for causing the battle. How does one reconcile with such hostility? I don’t expect one could, nor would you be made to forget it either. In the Odyssey, Helen does come across as meek, mild and obedient. Mission accomplished. ‘This, women folk,’ declares the bard and subsequent playwrights, ‘is how you should behave!’

In the scenes Helen does appear, she is:
Resentful:
‘Helen… sat down on it [bed] but refused to look her husband [Paris] in the face and attacked him.’ Book 3, Lines 428

Self-loathing:
‘I wish I had chosen to die in misery before I came here with your son.’ Book 3, Line 174

Acknowledges the compassion of Hektor and Priam:
‘Hektor, dearest to me of all my Trojan brothers… I never heard a single harsh or spiteful word from you.’ Book 24, Lines 763 & 767
‘[Priam] was the soul of kindness.’ Book 24, 770

Ancient Sparta
Wikipedia

Should Helen bear the weight of responsibility for the war? Of course not, she was the scapegoat. Should we feel sorry for her? That’s a tougher question to answer. It comes down to whether she was a willing participant or a victim. I wrote a short story The Curse of Troy, told from Helen’s point of view and based on a little known factoid penned by Herodotos in his Histories. On his fact finding mission while in Egypt, the priests told him Helen never was in Troy. She had spent the ten years in Memphis. Is it true? It’s plausible. As Winston Churchill states:
‘History is written by the victors’

Is Helen a victim or did she willing leave with Paris? What are your thoughts? Love to hear from you.

Thank you for visiting and reading.

Further reading:
Helen – did the ancient historians get it right or were they wrong? 
Scapegoat or Femme Fatale 

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I was surfing the web curious as to how many variations of Homer’s Iliad been made into a movie. What I found was surprising. A total of four movies; correction, three, one was a television series. Dickens’ Great Expectations, on the other hand, had seven movies and three television series created. I won’t even attempt Shakespeare’s works, it would be like the Roadrunner and Coyote episodes. Given that, some adaptations have been less than faithful to the original story, digressing so much the story is unrecognisable. Though to be fair, to write a script that fits into two hours to three maximum, would be a difficult task.

Wikipedia

The Iliad is an epic story, with many sub-stories. The gods play a pivotal if not a decisive role, and then there are the main characters that drive the story. They are both integral and yet in the film Troy, romance is the key factor. The most obvious one is Helen and Paris; the sweet and poignant relationship between Hektor and Andromache; then the spoils of war hate/love union of Akhilleus and Briseis. Of course there’s all the action, the battle between the Greeks and Trojans. However it is the human element of the Iliad that’s the main focus. I did watch the movie when it was released in 2004. When I realised it was more for entertainment rather than an accurate depiction of the story, I did enjoy the flick. Plenty of eye-candy for us females ;D

Image courtesy of Wikipedia

In 2003, a miniseries called Helen of Troy was produced and cast with many famed and international actors. The exceptions were the actors who played Helen and Paris. It began with the marriage of Agamemnon and Klytemnestra in Sparta. Helen’s beauty was famous even as a child and in this version Agamemnon lusted after her. This follows the myths of Helen’s kidnapping by Theseus and eventual rescue by her brother Pollux; Castor didn’t get a mention. It also depicts when the three goddesses: Hera, Athene and Aphrodite approach Paris to choose the fairest by ‘bribing’ him with tempting gifts. This film adaptation was a little better than Troy in the attempt to be faithful to Homer. It was enjoyable and entertaining.

Image courtesy of Wikipedia

The next movie based on the Iliad was The Fury of Achilles, an Italian production made in 1962. I haven’t seen it and the poster for it looks great. I am curious as to whether how close it is to Homer’s story. The same goes for The Trojan Horse, another Italian movie directed by Giorgio Ferroni in 1961 and based on Aeneas, the Dardanian Prince. The final movie was Helen of Troy, 1956 a Warner Bros production. I am curious about these three earlier versions and when time permits will watch them.

Image courtesy of Wikipedia

Image courtesy of Wikipedia

Here’s a YouTube excerpt from the film

If you have watched any of these adaptations of Homer’s Iliad, which do you prefer?

Thank you for visiting and reading. As always, your comments are welcomed and valued.

Accursed Women
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It’s hard to believe but the first anniversary of Accursed Women is fast approaching. A lot has happened since 30 November 2013, high and low events. The greatest achievement was the publication of Accursed Women. The book launch was a wonderful success with support from family, friends and people I hadn’t met before. It had a positive vibe and great energy. I was buzzing and so was the room full of guests.

Christmas came and went, so did the New Year and I made goals for 2014. Suffice to say things didn’t go as planned. The book I wanted to publish this year didn’t eventuate and had to push it to next year (more about that in a later post). Finances were and are low and to pay for ongoing living costs I needed to work. What I found difficult was juggling work, home commitments and writing. Something had to give. I wrote less and spent little time on the social network sites.

I work as a relief teacher, basically I get a phone call either in the morning or if lucky the night before and asked to fill in for a teacher whose absent. The past two weeks I relieved for a teacher who was on paternity leave. I’ve also been called in to supervise exams for Years 11 & 12; our 12s will be sitting their Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE) examinations very soon. This enables them to attend university, depending on their overall aggregate and degree they’ve chosen to study. And I’ve acquired work as a university supervisor with Edith Cowan University, observing and evaluating pre-service teachers.

In the midst of all this I’ve managed to finish the novel I’ve been working on, edit it and now the manuscript is with beta readers. I’ve also started a novella series, which sadly has been neglected. The characters are shouting at me demanding attention.

Phew!

To celebrate the anniversary

Accursed Women will be on sale for the months of November and December

50% off the retail price.

Paperback copy $9.49 US
eBook $2.99 US

Available through the following outlets:
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It will make a great Christmas gift for a family member or friend.
Better yet, give yourself a well-earned present.

Thank you for visiting and reading. Have a wonderful day.
As always your comments are valued and welcomed.

Why are people fascinated with Atlantis? What is it about this mythical place that has drawn so much attention for over two thousand years? Is it about the people who once inhabited the island with their sophistication and technological advancements? Or is it the total annihilation of a civilisation, wiped out in one cataclysmic event? For me, on a personal level, the legend of Atlantis conjured a lifelong interest in ancient civilisations, and to learn about the rich diversity our world offers. It is why I began to write stories. It sparked my imagination on what happened to these amazing cultures and what can they still teach us today.

CREDIT: NOAA/Historic NWS Collection
Nasa website

I was sixteen when I first came across the story of Atlantis. I read a book written by Charles Berlitz, Atlantis: the eighth continent (I posted an article some years ago) and it made me question our existence, purpose in life, what future generations will think of our civilisation and what we did. I read what I could get my hands on, there was no internet then, (sadly showing my age here!) and was wowed by the concept of an advanced culture. Then typical of a teenager, I moved onto other more pressing interests: boys, sport, holidays, having fun with friends. Though, the Atlantis myth was never far from my thoughts.

Fast forward a few decades, I had been teaching for a while and wanted to do something different and decided to enrol at university to study ancient history. I did it part-time and worked. One of the readings for the course included Plato’s writings and what did I find, two dialogues with references to Atlantis! That triggered a series of events I did not foresee and catapulted me into writing historical fiction/mythology.

Atlantis concept image

The concept of Atlantis is a complex one it has inspired many people and also brought out some extraordinary theories. In this series, I hope to answer the questions above and delve deeper into the mystery of Atlantis and the people who once inhabited the island. I do have opinions as to where Plato’s story came from which I will discuss. I am a “student” of ancient history and all viewpoints are my own developed from academics and specialists whose works I’ve read and documentaries watched.

I hope you will follow along! Thank you for tuning in and reading.

As always, your comments are valued and welcomed.

To celebrate the anniversary
Accursed Women will be on sale for the months of November and December
50% off the retail price.

Paperback copy $9.49 US
eBook $2.99 US

Available through the following outlets:
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Historical fiction fantasist Luciana Cavallaro, a secondary teacher, meanders from contemporary life to delve into the realms of mythology. Subscribe to her FREE short story

According to Plato, the island of Atlantis was beyond the Pillars of Herakles and in the Great Ocean. It describes where and how big the island was and why it was referred to as a continent. Perhaps not as big as Australia as an island continent but a significant size.

Hypothesised locations of Atlantis in the Mediterranean
Courtesy of Wikipedia

“This power came forth out of the Atlantic Ocean, for in those days the Atlantic was navigable; and there was an island situated in front of the straits which are by you called the Pillars of Heracles; the island was larger than Libya and Asia put together, and was the way to other islands, and from these you might pass to the whole of the opposite continent which surrounded the true ocean; for this sea which is within the Straits of Heracles is only a harbour, having a narrow entrance, but that other is a real sea, and the surrounding land may be most truly called a boundless continent.”
Plato, Timaeus

There have been a number of theories put forward as to the site of Atlantis, some are more credible than others. Many of the proposed locations have met with the same catastrophe as Atlantis, but as yet not proven to be the lost continent.
Here’s a list of suggested sites:
• In the Mediterranean-Sardinia, Crete, Santorini, Cyprus, Malta, Ponza (island states); and Troy, Turkey
• Black Sea-Bosporus, Sinop, Ancomah
• Atlantic region-Cadiz, Azores, Canary Islands, Bimini, Caribbean, South America
• Further afield-Antarctica, Indonesia
• Middle East-Sahara desert
• North Sea-shallow areas off Holland, Germany, England and Scandinavia
• Ireland

Hypothesised location of Atlantis in worldwide
Wikipedia

The fact is many of these places suffered a cataclysmic event, though no one has been able to prove which one is the historic Atlantis. Having said that, there are a few that meet the “criteria” of suffering a flood, the time period the island submerged and a disastrous end.

The world has seen many great natural disasters, flood, fire and the ice age are the prevalent events that changed the geography. We can look back in recent years such as the earthquakes and tsunamis that hit Japan and Indonesia. The ocean is rising and many of the cities near the water will be submerged. The shifting tectonic plates shape the Earth and create geomorphic changes. What happened to Atlantis can occur again.

Not to end on such a doomsday note, I do think Santorini is the site of Atlantis, as it was as Plato wrote a sophisticated society and a sea power. Malta is another possibility as archaeologists have found evidence of an ancient civilisation dating back to 9000 BCE. However there’s new evidence to suggest Cadiz may be the remanent island of Atlantis plus it ties in with the description and location given by Plato. I will be following these new theories and be interested to learn what they uncover.

Santorini. Clockwise from center: Nea Kameni; Palea Kameni; Aspronisi; Therasia; Thera Santorini island, Greece
EOS photo NASA, public domain

My next post will look the early maps that were drawn of Atlantis and the world.

In my second book of Servant of the Gods Series, Santorini or Thira as it was called, my intrepid travellers happen upon the site of Akrotiri.

Thank you for tuning in and reading.

As always, your comments are valued and welcomed.

Accursed Women
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Historical fiction fantasist Luciana Cavallaro, a secondary teacher, meanders from contemporary life to delve into the realms of mythology. Subscribe to her FREE short story

Sources:
Atlantis “Evidence” Found in Spain and Ireland By Stefan Lovgren for National Geographic News August 19, 2004
Atlantis Location Hypothesis 
Has the real lost city of Atlantis finally been found… buried under mud flats in Spain? By DAILY MAIL REPORTER
Shocker: 9 Reasons Atlantis May Have Been Real By Katherine Neer
Top 10 Possible Locations for Atlantis by David Hatcher Childress Atlantis Rising Issue 9 from Atlantis Rising Website

In the 4th century BCE, Plato wrote his dialogues Timaeus and Critias, and compared the virtues of two cities—Athens and Atlantis. The story of Atlantis originated with Solon, Athenian law maker and his ancestor. Solon, while travelling the Mediterranean world and learning about the laws of the various cities was told the legend by Egyptians at Sais. The descriptions of Atlantis are detailed and give clues as to which civilisation it may refer to and the location. Yet these descriptors are not unique which makes it difficult to pin down precise whereabouts of Atlantis. In this post and those to follow I will draw on Plato’s Critias to extrapolate details which may point to this fabled island.

Satellite image of Santorini today

‘And Poseidon, receiving for his lot the island of Atlantis, begat children by a mortal woman, and settled them in a part of the island, which I will describe.

Looking towards the sea, but in the centre of the whole island, there was a plain which is said to have been the fairest of all plains and very fertile. Near the plain again, and also in the centre of the island at a distance of about fifty stadia, there was a mountain not very high on any side.

Poseidon… enclosed the hill in which she dwelt all round, making alternate zones of sea and land larger and smaller, encircling one another; there were two of land and three of water, which he turned as with a lathe, each having its circumference equidistant every way from the centre, so that no man could get to the island, for ships and voyages were not as yet.’

The Jimes Expedition to Santorini http://www.whaton.uwaterloo.ca/waton/s987.html

Compare with a reconstructed map of Thera before the volcanic eruption 1500 BCE. You can see the outlines of the land that sat above the sea level.

The mountain

Larger land
Smaller land

Alternate zones of water
Of which 3 were mentioned

The following passage confirms the structure of the island, which is evidenced by the famous Akrotiri wall friezed.

‘First of all they bridged over the zones of sea which surrounded the ancient metropolis, making a road to and from the royal palace.

And beginning from the sea they bored a canal of three hundred feet in width and one hundred feet in depth and fifty stadia in length, which they carried through to the outermost zone, making a passage from the sea up to this, which became a harbour, and leaving an opening sufficient to enable the largest vessels to find ingress.

Moreover, they divided at the bridges the zones of land which parted the zones of sea, leaving room for a single trireme to pass out of one zone into another, and they covered over the channels so as to leave a way underneath for the ships; for the banks were raised considerably above the water.
Now the largest of the zones into which a passage was cut from the sea was three stadia in breadth, and the zone of land which came next of equal breadth; but the next two zones, the one of water, the other of land, were two stadia, and the one which surrounded the central island was a stadium only in width. The island in which the palace was situated had a diameter of five stadia.
All this including the zones and the bridge, which was the sixth part of a stadium in width, they surrounded by a stone wall on every side, placing towers and gates on the bridges where the sea passed in.

The stone which was used in the work they quarried from underneath the centre island, and from underneath the zones, on the outer as well as the inner side. One kind was white, another black, and a third red, and as they quarried, they at the same time hollowed out double docks, having roofs formed out of the native rock. Some of their buildings were simple, but in others they put together different stones, varying the colour to please the eye, and to be a natural source of delight.’

Stone of white, black and red all natural rocks found on Santorini.

Akrotiri marine fresco
Athens Museum

Such attention to detail has to come from somewhere, right?

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Historical fiction fantasist Luciana Cavallaro, a secondary teacher, meanders from contemporary life to delve into the realms of mythology. Subscribe to her FREE short story.

Sources:
Atlantis revealed
Timaeus and Critias, The Mysterious and Unexplained, Active Mind Site

In a number posts I’ve mentioned the similarities between Plato’s Atlantis, the island of Thira/Santorini and the Minoans. In my research for my series Servant of the Gods, my focus was on the Atlantean myth. I love researching and looking for information which would help with writing my story. In the course of my sleuthing there has been a myriad of theories put forward as to where Atlantis was but not the fallout for the people. Who were they and what became of them after the destruction of their home?

In the advent of the Dark Ages that followed, all forms of art ceased, major settlements were abandoned and there was a decrease in population. It lasted for 300 plus years. What emerged were nomadic groups, moving from place to place for their livestock to eventually settle down and colonise regions as we know them today. The farming communities inspired Hesiod’s Works and Days, himself a farmer and who had rather negative attitude towards women. This was also known as the Homeric Age.

Homeric fight
by Antoine Joseph Wiertz Belgian painter (1806-1865) http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Homeric_fight.jpg

During this period, there was evidence to suggest conflict and attacks on the Mycenaean Empire and their subsequent downfall. Prior to their collapse, the Mycenaean’s led an invasion to Troy/Ilios/Ilium and this no doubt affected their ability to retain power. In spite of their diminishing control, they did invade Krete not long after the eruption of the volcano on Thira. The might of the Minoans had been decimated due to the long war with Troy and the destruction of major centres such as Knossos, Phaistos, Mallia, Zakro and Chania. In all, there were 90 cities on Krete/Crete. It was an easy conquest. Then came the Sea People, race still yet to determined, and basically overran the surviving people. How many Minoans survived the aftermath of the natural disaster and invasions cannot be determined, yet there has been settlements found on Krete, on the highest mountain peaks. There is a great documentary which explains the downfall of the Minoans and the neighbouring Empires and these reclusive sites.
Secrets of the Aegean Apocalypse – Documentary
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQykroaMGx8

Prior to the Dark Ages, the Minoans was a thriving and sophisticated race. They traded with the Etruscans, Hittites, Egyptians, and the Mycenaean’s; evidence has shown the Etruscans and Mycenaean’s were influenced by their architecture and script. There is a link between Linear B script of the Mycenaean’s and the Minoan Linear A, syllabic writing. The most famous of Minoan script is the Phaistos disk found at Phaistos on Krete.

Phaistos disk
Online Museum of Greek Art & Archaeology http://cciv214fa2012.site.wesleyan.edu/the-bronze-age/exhibit-2/

How do the Minoans compare to the legend of Atlantis? We don’t know what happened to the Atlanteans following the devastation of the island. Were they completed wiped out? I don’t think so, I believe there were survivors, much like the Minoan race. The Atlanteans had the ability to write as well, they were quite learned people. Where did they go? Now that is the million dollar question. They can’t have disappeared. If the Minoan people were still around, though in small numbers, then its possible traces of the Atlantean race still existed.

However, evidence is the key and without it and theories aside, proof is needed. I personally don’t believe we have to look too far afield from the Aegean Sea, but I’m not an archaeologist nor a professor of ancient history. I am an ancient history enthusiast and eager student trying to piece together a big puzzle.

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As always, your comments are valued and welcomed.

Historical fiction fantasist Luciana Cavallaro, a secondary teacher, meanders from contemporary life to delve into the realms of mythology. Subscribe to her FREE short story http://eepurl.com/bhESs1

Reference:
Greek Dark Ages, Ancient History Encyclopaedia
Crete, Ancient History Encyclopaedia
Linear A and B tablets, Online Museum of Greek Art & Archaeology

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For my next series, I’ll be delving into the world of the Minoans but before I get into this amazing civilisation I’d like to explain why. Many of you following my blog would know back in May, I published a novel called Search for the Golden Serpent. One reviewer wrote:

“This is a tale of a modern-day hero’s adventure through time travel and to ancient sites such as Atlantis, Thebes and Pylos.” Linnea Tanner

Part of the reconstruction at the Palace of Knossos
Image courtesy of http://www.greek-thesaurus.gr/Minoan-civilization.html

The influences for the book and series came from multiple sources: Plato’s exposition on Atlantis in his Critias and Timaeas; Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey; mythology on the Greek gods and goddesses; Joseph Campbell’s works and finally, the enigmatic Minoans. I found the research on the Minoans fascinating and inspiring. From what I read and the documentaries watched, I believe Plato was referring to the Minoans as the race of Atlanteans in his dialogues. Regardless of whether that is the case or not, the Minoan civilisation is worthy of attention.

Most would be familiar with the myth of Theseus and the Minotaur, a vicious beast locked in a labyrinth built by Daedalus that was commissioned by King Minos. I was fortunate to go to Knossos and wander around the palace where the legendary king and his daughter Ariadne lived. The site is huge; there are stairwells, endless number of rooms, some of which were reconstructed during Sir Arthur Evan’s time on the site. For me, it was spiritual and I could see why the label “labyrinth” stuck. The palace is a maze of rooms, big and small.

“Theseus Slaying Minotaur by Barye” by Antoine-Louis Barye Licensed under Public Domain via Commons – https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Theseus_Slaying_Minotaur_by_Barye.jpg#/media/File:Theseus_Slaying_Minotaur_by_Barye.jpg

The museum in Heraklion was fantastic and I got to see the artefacts found at Knossos and from other palatial sites and townships on Crete. Though I did get lost on my way to the museum! Not sure if it was the translation from Greek to English that was confusing or my interpretation of the directions. I was reading a map in English and the street signs were in Greek! However, that was 11 years ago and I am sure the signs are much clearer now.

Heraklion Museum
Image courtesy of http://www.destinationcrete.gr/en/museums/irakleio-museums/archaiologiko-mouseio-irakleiou

In any case, I will do my best to recount the history of the Minoans, of which a number of historians believe, were the forerunners of Western Civilisation.

Thank you for visiting and reading.

As always, your comments are valued and welcomed.

Historical fiction novelist and a secondary teacher, Luciana Cavallaro, likes to meander from contemporary life to the realms of mythology and history. Subscribe to her free short story at http://eepurl.com/bhESs1

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The Minoans came from somewhere, the question was where? In 2013, examination of the DNA of skeletal remains answered the puzzling enigma that surrounded the origins of the Minoans. Prior to this discovery, Sir Arthur Evans, opined the Minoans had to have come from Egypt and who were exiled from their homeland.

Double helix
Image courtesy of https://www.google.com.au/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CAYQjB1qFQoTCO642fj218gCFQGqpgod8yEAow&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgeneed.nlm.nih.gov%2Ftopic_subtopic.php%3Ftid%3D15%26sid%3D16&psig=AFQjCNGaSkRrsKOEZrYgYJvwvXQ-UofLgA&ust=1445666826726135

His theory was based on the technological advancements of this unknown Bronze Age civilisation, and the extraordinary architecture uncovered at the site of Knossos. The Ancient Egyptians, compared to the Minoans, were thousands of years into their civilisation and had established writing, engineering, architectural design, medicine, transport—land and sea, and so on. Yet the ancient cultures of the Middle East, such as Mesopotamia, Assyria, Babylonia, Mittani, Levant and Canaan, were just as advanced. They could not be ruled out as the source for the possible origins of the Minoan society.

Since the discovery of the palace at Knossos and many other Minoan sites on Crete, historians have argued as to where the Minoan race came from. The regions of Anatolia, Africa and as mentioned, the Middle East, was favoured due to the findings of pottery, the wall friezes and the worship of goddesses and gods. It was surmised the Minoans must have come from one of these places as the artwork and worship resembled or at least was influenced by these people. Influenced yes; a number of the Minoan goddesses and gods have Middle Eastern characteristics, as does the bull, to which each played a central role in Minoan art and religion.

Minoan Decorated Jug, ca. 1575-1500 Brooklyn Museum
Wikipedia

Though not quite indigenous to the island of Crete, like the Etruscans in Italy, there were settlements established around 7000 BCE, a Neolithic culture. It was the 5000 year old bones found on Crete where recent DNA findings link them to the Minoan race. From the mitochondrial markers in the DNA of the ancient skeletons, the scientists have concluded there are ties to Northern and Southern European peoples. I first read about this amazing discovery from Rita Robert’s blog, an archaeologist and linguist of Linear B, who lives on Crete. Also this article from Rensselaer on DNA analysis is also worth reading.

The moniker Sir Arthur Evans gave Minoans as the “start of western civilisation” is apt. There is proof indicating that the Minoans have genetic similarities to modern European populations. The birthplace of western civilisation can be attributed to the Minoans. (On a side note, after almost 10,000 years of inhabitation on Crete, I would say the Cretans can claim the title of being indigenous.)

Thank you for visiting and reading.

As always, your comments are valued and welcomed.

Historical fiction novelist and a secondary teacher, Luciana Cavallaro, likes to meander from contemporary life to the realms of mythology and history. Subscribe to her free short story at http://eepurl.com/bhESs1

Source:
Minoan Civilisation http://www.mlahanas.de/Greeks/History/Minoans.html

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For my next serial instalment, I thought it would be interesting to look at the various foods and beverages that was consumed in ancient civilisations. What they ate at home, those who travelled on the sea and over land as my main character, Evan Chronis, does from the Servant of the Gods series.

Fresco paint, Pompeii
Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

It was while researching for Book 1: Search for the Golden Serpent and for Book 2: The Labyrinthine Journey, that I needed information on what people ate and drank, so the reader could visualise and get a sense of what Evan encountered on his adventure. Some of his responses were, well, let’s say not a pleasant experience. He felt much of what he ate and drank did not measure up to his twenty-first century palate. In fact, the sixth century BCE doesn’t meet with Evan’s taste or standards, but what is he to do, he’s stuck there. When in Rome…

Image courtesy of Greek to Me!
http://www.greek2m.org/wines-like-nectar

There are many great sites that discuss what ancient civilisations ate, drank and the cooking process. A number of them even have recipes. What I’d like to share with you is what Evan would have eaten and drunk on his quest from the lands of Phoenicia, Ancient Egypt and Ancient Greece. These are the localities he travels through while searching for the elusive relics of the Mother Goddess.

I hope you join me on this ancient culinary journey. I am excited to share with you the research into what became a feast for the eyes.

Thank you for your continued support and as always, I look forward to your comments and will respond.

Historical fiction novelist and a secondary teacher, Luciana Cavallaro, burnt out but not done… yet. Subscribe and receive a free E-BOOK http://eepurl.com/brIbFf