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knicks_fan87

Active member
I just recently visited the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston and bumped into a Greek exhibit. It was very cool... Whenever I am in a museum in the United States (or outside of Greece for that matter) I don't really think about seeking out the Greek artifacts.

The exhibit at the MFA was really cool, and it got me thinking about visiting other museums in other parts of the country. Are there any standout exhibits elsewhere in the United States related to Ancient Greece that I can check out? I would imagine cities like Chicago, New York, etc might have something?
 
Outside of the MFA in Boston, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York has an extensive Greek collection. Both museums regularly contribute items for major museum exhibits in Athens. The Getty Museum has agreed to return two antiquities to Greece and at the same time they also signed a cultural exchange agreement with Greece that will lead to loans, joint research and other collaborations.
 
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Outside of the MFA in Boston, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York has an extensive Greek collection. Both museums regularly contribute items for major museum exhibits in Athens. The Getty Museum has agreed to return two antiquities to Greece and at the same time they also signed a cultural exchange agreement with Greece that will lead to loans, joint research and other collaborations.
This is great information. Thank you, Deborah! Seems valuable to visit all these museums.
 

Athens and the creation of democracy

I've been thinking about Athens and how it's the birth of democracy. I wondered if other societies had experimented with the concepts or if Athens was unique? Does anyone know? I know that there's been some evidence that other societies experimented with community leadership, but none had a true democracy like what Athens developed.

It was unique in developing a system where a significant portion of its inhabitants could participate directly in decision-making processes. This early form of democracy was largely initiated under the leadership of Cleisthenes in 508/507 BC. His reforms reorganized the population into ten tribes based on their residence rather than lineage, promoting a broader and more inclusive political engagement.

In this Athenian democracy, citizens had the right to attend the Assembly (Ekklesia), where they could speak and vote on legislation and executive decisions. The Council of Five Hundred (Boule), selected by lot for each of the ten tribes, proposed legislation and handled daily affairs. This lottery system for public office sought to prevent power monopolies and encourage civic participation.

I know that this work truly influenced other democratic governments through the world!

Feel free to chime in with your thoughts- I find this stuff interesting.

History of the Greek bailouts/financial crisis?

I'm reaching out to tap into our collective knowledge regarding a significant episode in recent economic history — the Greek financial crisis and the bailouts that followed. This period, marked by severe economic downturns, austerity measures, and complex international negotiations, has had long-lasting implications not only for Greece but for the European Union as a whole. Some things:
  1. Origins: What were the primary causes that led to the Greek financial crisis? How did Greece's economic conditions prior to the crisis contribute to its severity?
  2. Bailout Measures: Could someone explain the specifics of the bailout agreements? How were the terms negotiated, and what were the conditions placed on Greece in exchange for the financial assistance?
  3. Impact on Greece and the EU: What have been the short and long-term effects of the bailouts on the Greek economy and its citizens? Additionally, how has this crisis influenced the policies and economic strategies within the broader European Union?
The reason I am asking is that I got into a debate with someone before having my facts straight and the conversation didn't go well for me lol.

Learning about the Olympic Games

It's an Olympics year so I thought I would chat a bit about the Olympic Games!

The original Olympic Games, held in Olympia, Greece, were primarily a festival celebrating Zeus, the king of the Greek gods. These games began around 776 BC and featured a range of athletic competitions, from foot races to combat sports like wrestling and boxing. Interestingly, the games were so significant that wars were put on hold, and conflicts paused to allow athletes and spectators to travel safely to Olympia. This ancient tradition of the Olympic Truce or "Ekecheiria" is a testament to the power of sport in fostering peace and unity, a principle that remains at the heart of the Olympics today.

I find it absolutely intriguing how these ancient games laid the groundwork for the modern Olympics, introducing concepts of sportsmanship, excellence, and the idea of bringing people together through the universal language of sport.

Has anyone visited ancient Olympia? Do you guys enjoy watching the Olympic Games?

Cave Divers Capture Breathtaking Footage of Lake Vouliagmeni Tunnels.

Posting this takes me back to my years living in Ano Glyfada when I often wandered what and why was there a lake in Vouliagmeni!Underwander!
The season finale shows how there were once elephants living on the island of Crete, but, most importantly, it sees the team return to Lake Vouliagmeni, where they make yet another breakthrough.... Fascinating how our world and eachother are connected!👏🌍🌎🙏
https://greekreporter.com/2024/05/0...athtaking+Footage+of+Lake+Vouliagmeni+Tunnels

Learning about the history of the Olympics

It's an Olympics year so I decided to learn a little bit about it.

Specifically, I'm drawn to its roots in Greece, where it all began. The tales from Olympia, where athletes from city-states across Ancient Greece competed, not just for glory but for the favor of the gods, paint a vivid picture of society's value system and cultural priorities at the time.

Yet, despite the bits and pieces of information I've gathered, I realize there's so much more depth and nuance to understand about how these games influenced, and were influenced by, Greek society and beyond. From the types of events that were held, the athletes who competed, to the very ethos that powered these competitions - each element seems to carry its own story.
Share and discuss Greek history!

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