MYCENAE – ITHACA
The journey…..
FROM
MYTH
TO
REALITY©
August 22nd – September 6th, 2016
WELCOME MESSAGE
WELCOME TO THE JOURNEY…….Καλώς ήρθατε «KALOS IRTHATE»
Warmest greetings from Greece! We invite you to take the journey with us from Athens, through the
Peloponnese and on to Ithaca....
Why Greece?
Greece is the birthplace of the Olympic games, and many modern ideas relating to philosophy,
medicine, architecture, the arts and democracy. Greece is also the meeting point between the East
and the West.
The contribution of the values of the Hellenic civilisation to the foundation and promotion of the
European and global civilisation, is very important, not only for historical reasons, but also as a
present day claim for healthier societies in having balanced, integrated, free and responsible people.
Students and individuals from all over the world are invited to join our program. We embrace
comprehensive interaction with the local community, in having you experience the collective life
style which reflects the timeless essence of Greece.
We look forward to traveling with you!
Barbara Kondilis,
Coordinator for the summer abroad program “The journey….. from myth to reality”
MISSION
The program “MYCENAE-ITHACA ….the journey, from Myth to Reality” © is designed and
offered by the “Centre of Mycenaean Studies” and the Argolis club for UNESCO.
“MYCENAE-ITHACA ….the journey, from Myth to Reality”, the two weeks program will start
from Athens and has as final destination the mythical island of Ithaca in the Ionian sea, the land
of Odysseus.
It is a program specifically created by the Centre of Mycenaean Studies to emphasize the history
and cultural heritage and the influence it has on politics, art, culture, music, religion, mythology
and society at large throughout the centuries….
Moreover, the cumulative experience aspires to impart valuable information, by leading our
guests back in time while simultaneously visiting the charming villages and the magnificent
countryside of the Peloponnese and the island of Ithaca. This collaborative hospitality (φιλοξενία
«filoxenia») will remain for ever an integral component of our soul (ψυχή «psyche»).
WHO WE ARE
Mary Marouli-Zilemenou, Ph.D. Professor, Panteion University Athens,
President of Argolis Club for UNESCO, Deputy president of the Center of Mycenaean Studies
Ximena Ponce De Leόn, Ph.D., Ancient Greek Language professor, University of Chile, Chile,
President of the Center of Mycenaean Studies
Sousana Michailidou, Ph.D. Professor, Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Webster University, Athens
Barbara Kondilis, MSW, MPH, Counselor & Public Health Specialist, Faculty, Hellenic American College
Vasiliki Eleni Dimitriou, Ph.D., Archaeology, Affiliated Researcher Univ. of Roma “La Sapienza”
Eugenia Arsenis, Ph.D., Philosophical Aesthetics, Director – Dramaturg
Eileen Hoesly, MBA, International Education Consultant, former Director of Study Abroad Programs,
Teaching Professor of Business
Janis Bishop-Tripodakis, MA, Economist, president of Concord Consulting Services, New York- Athens
Anastasios Varelas, MA, MBA, diplomat, President of “Cultural Horizons” Organization,
President of Athens Center for UNESCO
Isaia Tsaousidou, Journalist, Vice President of the Association of European Journalists
Irene Dioti, Greek language teacher
PROGRAM COORDINATORS & ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT
Eileen Hoesly, Coordinator of the summer program in USA
Barbara Kondilis, Coordinator of the summer program in Greece
Vasiliki Eleni Dimitriou, Coordinator of archaeological & historical sites
Irene Dioti, Greek language teacher, Greek language and culture
Administrative support
Christina Mastoraki, political scientist & Chief Assistant
Michalis Michalopoulos, Assistant
T H E J O U R N E Y……..
Ithaka
Eleusis
Kyllini
Mycenae
Olympia
Nafplio
Epidaurus
Athens
THE PROGRAM
1st Day
Arrival to Athens
Athens is the capital of Greece and took its name from Athena,
goddess of wisdom.
Athens is one of the world’s oldest cities, with its recorded
history spanning approximately 3,400 years.
Ancient Athens was a powerful city-state and the place where
democracy, philosophy, literature, medicine, science, the arts
and architecture were born.
The brilliance of this city has ongoing cultural and political
impact on European and Western Civilization.
The Herodus Atticus Theatre
It was built in 161 AD by Herodus
Atticus in memory of his wife.
It is used as a venue for cultural
performances with a seating capacity
for 5,000 persons.
The Plaka area – Athens
© www.bestofathens.gr
The Parthenon, the Acropolis Museum, the Athenian Agora
2nd Day
The Parthenon is the most important surviving
building of classical Greece, generally considered
the zenith of the Doric order.
Its decorative sculptures are considered some of
the high points of Greek art.
The Parthenon is regarded as an enduring symbol
of Ancient Greece, Athenian democracy,
and western civilization; one of the world's
greatest cultural monuments.
Watch the Opening
Ceremony of the New
Acropolis Museum, directed
by Athina Rachel Tsangari on
the link below:
https://www.youtube.com/
watch?v=IaGdJrbOKes
© Christina Mastoraki
© Vasiliki Eleni Dimitriou
Ancient Agora
The Agora was the heart of ancient
Athens, the focus of political,
commercial, administrative and social
activity, the religious and cultural
center, and the seat of justice.
© Dr Mary Marouli - Zilemenou
National Archaeological Museum & Kerameikos area
3rd Day
Kerameikos is an extensive area inside and
outside the ancient city walls where many
pottery workshops used to produce ceramics.
Kerameikos is named after Keramos, son of
Dionysios and Ariadne, hero of potters.
This area was also an important ancient cemetery
with numerous funerary sculptures.
Source: Ministry of Culture
The National Archaeological Museum of Athens is the
largest archaeological museum in Greece and one of the
most important museums in the world devoted to ancient
Greek art.
It was founded at the end of the 19th century to house
and protect antiquities (11,000 exhibits) from all over
Greece, thus displaying their historical, cultural and
artistic value.
Its purpose was “the study and teaching of the science of
archaeology, the propagation of archaeological
knowledge and the cultivation of a love for the Fine Arts”.
Source: www.namuseum.gr
Athens - Eleusis (Elefsina)
4th Day
Eleusis (or Elefsina) is situated about 18 km
northwest from the center of Athens.
It is best known for having been the site of
the Eleusinian Mysteries -- one of the most famous
religious events of the ancient Greek religion. It is
also the birthplace of Aeschylus, one of the three
great tragedians of antiquity.
Ancient area of Eleusis
© Wikipedia
Mycenae, Tiryns , Midea
5th Day
Mycenae, one of the major
centers of Greek Civilization
and of the Mycenaean World,
was an acropolis site and a
military stronghold which
dominated southern Greece.
Mycenae, Lion Gate
There are several unique
archaeological findings that
prove the cultural
advancement of the ancient
Mycenaean civilization.
The Mask of Agamemnon
© www.taxi-nafplio.gr
Tiryns was a hill fort and one of the most
important centers of the Mycenaean
World.
Mycenae
Mycenaean ring by Mary Papakonstantinou, especially
designed and offered to the Center of Mycenaean Studies
Argos, the Archaeological Museum & the Theater
6th Day
The fortress of Argos
Argos is a settlement of great antiquity and a major
stronghold during the Mycenaean era. Located on a strategic
and fertile plain of Argolis (Argolida), it contributed to the
agricultural and economic growth of the city.
During the time of its greatest power, Argos boasted a
pottery and bronze sculpting school, pottery workshops,
tanneries and clothes producers. At least 25 festive
celebrations dedicated to the gods took place in the city, in
addition to a marketplace with local products.
The Heraion of Argos
A temple dedicated to
goddess Hera,
protector of Argos,
is located close to
the Heraion.
© Wikipedia
The Ancient Theater of Argos
Asine, Epidaurus, Asclepion & the Theater
7th Day
Asine was mentioned by Homer as part of
the kingdom of Diomedes, king of Argos.
The acropolis of ancient Asine was
surrounded by a Cyclopean wall and
a Mycenaean era necropolis with many
Mycenaean chamber tombs.
Asclepius
Epidaurus, known for its
sanctuary and its theater, was
the birthplace of Asclepius the
healer, son of god Apollo.
The Theater was famous for its
symmetry, acoustics, locale and
is still a major site utilized today
for dramatic performances.
Asclepion of Epidaurus, the most important
in the ancient world.
© Wikipedia
Nafplio - Bourtzi - Palamidi
8th and 9th Days
Nafplio was the first capital of modern Greece after the independence from the Turks in 1828. The city
was taken in 1212 by the French crusaders of the Principality of Achaea. It became part of the lordship
of Argos and Nauplia, which in 1388 was sold to the Republic of Venice (Italy).
On the 8th January 1828 the first governor of Greece, Ioannis Capodistrias, alighted at Nafplio. The city
was full of cafes, and in the salons of notable local families there were balls and literary soirees.
A printing press was established and for a short while there was a reading room.
Source: www.nafplio.gr
Nafplio - Bourtzi - Palamidi
Bour
The Palamidi fortress was built on a hill by the
Venetians during their occupation of the area
between the years 1686 and 1715.
Built as a typical baroque style fortress of
stone, for one to reach the top there are 999
steps.
The small island of Bourtzi in Nafplion is famous for its
strong and impressive fortress. Still known by its
Turkish name “Bourtzi”, meaning the Tower, it attracts
many visitors all year round. Antonio Gambello, an
architect from Bergamo, built the castle in 1471 on this
tiny islet in front of the port of Nafplion.
In 1935 it was turned into a hotel after alterations by
the German architect Wulf Schaeffer.
Today one can visit the Bourtzi by boat from the
seafront.
Source: www.nafplio.gr
Nafplio
Views of the picturesque city of Nafplio
Source: www.nafplio.gr
Vitina - Olympia
9th Day
Vitina, a mountain village in Arcadia
© Barbara Kondilis
Olympia
10th Day
Olympia. The most important and well-known sanctuary of
ancient Greece. It was dedicated to Zeus, father of the 12 gods.
It is one of the main monuments of cultural heritage of
UNESCO.
The Olympic Flame ceremony
Archaeological Site of Olympia (Greece)
© UNESCO
Ithaca
The journey …… to Ithaca
Excerpts from C.P. Cavafy’s poem “Ithaka” ©1910
(translation by Edmund Keely and Philip Sherrard)
As you set out for Ithaca
hope that your journey is a long one,
full of adventure, full of discovery.
Laistrygonians and Cyclops,
angry Poseidon—don’t be afraid of them:
you’ll never find things like that on your way
as long as you keep your thoughts raised high,
as long as a rare excitement
stirs your spirit and your body.
Laistrygonians and Cyclops,
wild Poseidon—you won’t encounter them
unless you bring them along inside your soul,
unless your soul sets them up in front of you.
Hope the voyage is a long one.
May there be many a summer morning when,
with what pleasure, what joy,
you come into harbors seen for the first time;
may you stop at Phoenician trading stations
to buy fine things,
mother of pearl and coral, amber and ebony,
sensual perfume of every kind—
as many sensual perfumes as you can;
and may you visit many Egyptian cities
to gather stores of knowledge from their scholars.
Keep Ithaca always in your mind.
Arriving there is what you're destined for.
But don't hurry the journey at all.
Better if it lasts for years,
so that you're old by the time you reach the island,
wealthy with all you've gained on the way,
not expecting Ithaca to make you rich.
Ithaca gave you the marvelous journey.
Without her you would have not set out.
She has nothing left to give you now.
And if you find her poor, Ithaca won't have fooled you.
Wise as you will have become, so full of experience,
you'll have understood by then what these Ithacas mean.
Listen to the C.P. Cavafy’s poem “Ithaca” ©1910 recited by Sean
Connery and with music specially composed by Vangelis on the
link below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1n3n2Ox4Yfk
Ithaca
Ithaca
© Delas Photography
Ithaca
11th Day
Odysseus (Ulysses), King of Ithaca
Source: http://www.zwallpix.com/telemachus-son-ofodysseus.html
The island of Ithaca has been inhabited since the 2nd millennium BC. It
may have been the capital of Cephalonia during the Mycenaean period
and the capital-state of the small kingdom ruled by Odysseus.
The Romans occupied the island in the 2nd century BC, and later it
became part of the Byzantine Empire .
The Normans ruled Ithaca in the 13th century, and after a
short Turkish rule it fell into Venetian hands (Ionian Islands under
Venetian rule).
Head of Odysseus wearing a pileus depicted on a 3rd century BC coin from Ithaca
Classical Numismatic Group, Inc.
Source: http://www.cngcoinc.com
Ithaca
12th Day
…are you still so eager to go back to your own house
and the land of your fathers? I wish you well, however
you do it, but if you only knew in your own heart how
many hardships you were fated to undergo before
getting back to your country, you would stay here with
me and be the lord of this household and be an
immortal.
Kalypso to Odysseus (Book 5, lines 203-209
The Odyssey; translation Richmond Lattimore)
Palace in Ithaca discovered
Ithaca
13th Day
© Delas Photography
Ithaca
14th Day
Enjoy the beautiful sunsets of Ithaca
© Dr Mary Marouli – Zilemenou
© Delas Photography
Ithaca
© Delas Photography
Ithaca - Athens
15th Day
Ithaca by Edward Dodwell (1821)
MAKING MEMORIES
Photos with students from our past programs
!
END OF THE PROGRAM
16th Day
Departure to “El. Venizelos” airport
«Δραπετεύσεις» Χρήστος Λάσκαρης
“Escapes” by Christos Laskaris
(1931-2008), Greek poet
No one lives without departing.
And even the statues, they also depart
at night.
Thank you for joining us…
Pleasant travels!
CENTER OF MYCENAEAN STUDIES
Address: 36 Voukourestiou Str., 10673 Athens
Telephone: +30 210 3626 316
Fax: +30 210 3626 365
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.europeanstudies.org.gr
Blog: http://mycenae-ithaca.blogspot.gr
Facebook: Center of Mycenaean Studies ,
Argolis Club for UNESCO,
Mycenae-Ithaca - The journey
The Center of Mycenaean Studies was founded in 2001 in order to
promote the study and research of the Mycenaean civilization due to
the importance of Mycenae, for understanding the Hellenic and
Western Civilization as a whole.
ARGOLIS CLUB FOR UNESCO
The Argolis Club for UNESCO was founded in 1999 and operates
successfully on projects concerning the Greek culture and
implemented through educational seminars in Argolis-Greece.
The Mycenaean Civilization is known as one of the most historically
important cultures developed in ancient Greece. During the growth
and prosperity of this civilization, many diverse backgrounds and new
cultures were assimilated through trade and geographic expansion
across the East, the West and the Mediterranean basin.
In 2001, under the auspices of UNESCO, a pilot program was
launched entitled "Lessons in Mycenaean civilization " addressed
mainly to foreign students of universities from Europe and USA.
It is a cycle study of Mycenaean civilization that enables young
people to become acquainted with one of the greatest
civilizations of the ancient world.
The important centers of Mycenaean civilization, Mycenae and Tiryns,
were the cultural hubs of the Minoan and the Cycladic people. In
these two cities, Greek myths were born and Homer wrote his famous
works the Iliad and the Odyssey (epics that influenced European art
and literature for more than three millennia afterwards).
Classes take place every summer in Argolis from 2001.
A very important program, launched under the auspices of the
Ministry of Education, involves an audio-visual spectacle (CDROM) under the title "POLYCHRYSES MYCENAE".
There are several unique archeological findings which prove the
intellectual and cultural advancement of the ancient Mycenaean
civilization. Golden masks, pure gold busts (in the forms of a bull and a
lion's head), perfect specimens of ivory carvings, numerous vessels,
sealstones, crystals, and frescoes all show how ahead of their time the
Mycenaean peoples were. From these findings it was justified that the
city of Mycenae was rich in artistry and gold.
The production is based on using three-dimensional digital
computer animation at the highest available quality level
"photorealism" and is intended for schools and other educational
institutions in Greece and abroad.
In the area occupied by the Mycenaean civilization ideas and physical
structures were created, directly influencing modern Greece and the
present-day West.