Hellenic Travels to the Past is a collection of tales from one Antipodean’s experiences to magical locations from across the Eurasian continent that even the history books have forgotten. I use the word ‘magical’ because what the people of these Hellenic communities have achieved seems to defy logic: Hellenic culture surviving against a background of a dwindling diaspora and the absence of government assistance; and the Hellenic language enduring despite native speakers being a rarity in these regions. These are just a couple of notable examples of this magic. Read the articles, and I’m sure you will discover more.
It must be said that while these are amazing achievements, by no means do they contradict the logic of the Hellenic peoples — namely surviving and thriving against impossible odds. These communities seem to echo the spirit of King Leonidas with his immortal proclamation: “Molon Labe“, to anyone who would try to rob them of their culture, creed and language. Braver still, they do not dare allow the merciless nature of time to efface what they have patiently fought to retain: the Hellenic Spirit.
A word on the articles, while I am the self-proclaimed editor, I do not dare correct, revise, or alter in any way the writings of the site’s star (and only) contributor. Going up against, and attempting to defeat such a colossal ego would be an act of foolishness even Alexander the Great would agree too stupendous to achieve.
I do welcome articles, opinions, and/or advice regarding the site. If you would like to contribute anything, please send an email to: georgemanetakis@gmail.com (addressed to George).
Thank you,
George Manetakis
How excellent it is that you are on this path of exploration: Meta dynameos tou Theou, God willing, together, you , I and others will transform this path into a full-fledged journey.
I also have been teaching the same for decades, and am continually expanding the material. In fact, I’ve been writing an unfinished book. One point that is emphasized, beyond the global Hellenic legacy, is the blood — meaning we are related to the nations and they are related to us — by the common Greek ancestry of the ancient colonists/exiles/invaders not only culturally but genetically.
A case in point: when I traveled to Lisbon, the Portuguese
literature gloried in an account unknown to the Greeks, and
indeed, I have read it nowhere else: The Lisboans claimed descent from Odysseus and his companions, and maintain that Odysseus, during his Odyssey, landed with a flotilla on their Atlantic coast and founded the original city of what became Lisbon on their site of Seven Hills, just as Rome would be founded centuries later.
Thus, we are compelled to consider that the commentary [is it Billy's?] of Portugal visited by a “few traders and a visit by Hercules and me” is short of the Portuguese’ own view of their Hellenic roots.
Also, we must reinforce the historical understanding being
shared with a linguistic orientation — when you talk and/or, read and/or write Greek, whether stretching from Modern to Koine dialect to Homeric, you identify all the more with your Greek roots no matter what your nationality. And as Anglophones, using today’s world language of English, which happens to be related familialy and by infusion to its Hellenic cousin, we are in a fortuitous position to do so. (So we will have to do something about “Phocaea – a name I can’t pronounce.”)
If God provides time, I’ll be contacting you again. Bravo and congratulations on this endeavor.
God’s blessings to you and yours,
– Demetri