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Unraveling Ancient Greek Wisdom: Classic Proverbs & Their Significance
Meaning: "Know thyself."
Origin: Inscribed in the Temple of Apollo at Delphi, this famous aphorism has been attributed to various ancient Greek sages, including the philosopher Thales of Miletus and the oracle of Delphi. It emphasizes the importance of self-awareness, introspection, and understanding one's own strengths, weaknesses, and limitations in the pursuit of wisdom and self-improvement.
Meaning: "Do not call anyone happy before the end."
Origin: According to Herodotus, Kroisos, the king of Lydia, impressed by his own wealth and achievements, asked Solon who the happiest man in the world was. Solon, instead of praising Kroisos, famously responded with the proverb "μηδένα πρὸ τοῦ τέλους μακαρίζε" (mēdena pro tou telous makarize), advising Kroisos not to consider anyone truly happy until their life had ended. This encounter served as a cautionary tale about the uncertainty of fortune and the fleeting nature of happiness, despite Kroisos' immense wealth and power.
Halloween Screening At The Hellenic American Union
Co-written by Mel Brooks and Gene Wilder, the film draws inspiration from Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein and Universal Pictures’ original Frankenstein trilogy. The result? One of the greatest comedies of all time.
In the hilarious plot, the grandson of the infamous Dr. Frankenstein, determined to prove his grandfather wasn’t as mad as everyone believes, travels to Transylvania. There, he uncovers the secret to reanimating a dead body—with uproarious results.
Young Frankenstein was nominated for two Oscars: Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Sound. Expect fun, with confetti to toss during the opening and closing credits! Extra points for dressing up as one of Universal’s iconic monsters. Don’t miss out!
Outdoor Autumn Nights
The past weeks have been more like my weeks ‘not’ in Athens! I’ve been away with work quite a bit – which is nice when you think about it, but less nice when you actually do it… I love to get away from time to time – and I do love to come home!
Returning late Friday night meant I was ready for a fun night out on Saturday… A few phone calls later, plans were hatched. Well, one small plan at least. We would meet at Riza, our sure-bet tsipouradiko in Thiseio, for a lite bite. But this being Athens, and the post-summer city nightlife positively buzzing, this plan quickly expanded.
Having satisfied our stomachs, and with the warm night still young, we decided to move on. We walked over to six d.o.g.s. in Monastiraki and had a quick drink in the energized, ‘standing room only’ vibe in the cool garden space… This is a very popular place, day or night – and with good reason.
Next stop: TAF in Monastiraki. This is for those who love unmarked doorways in empty alleyways, that open onto unexpectedly cool interior courtyards... Cool music, friendly vibe, graffiti-chic art spaces and a refreshingly adult crowd. Highly recommend.
On our way to TAF, we noticed a sign for a roof-top space called Couleur Locale. It’s literally next door to TAF, through a small stoa, past the tiny taverna, and up to the roof via the elevator. This place opened just over a month ago, and is a wide-open, casual bar space – up-beat dance music, great drinks list and some delicious chef-made food choices. It’s also quite a large space, and doesn’t yet get too busy. Anyone else tired of not finding a table at 360 or A for Athens?
One thing is for sure: Athens in autumn doesn’t force anyone indoors. While many of my Canadian friends are waking up to near-zero temperatures, I will ‘have another round, please!’, and might even leave my jacket at home…
Until next week,
Jack
In this weekly space, keep up with ‘Jack’ as he navigates daily life in Athens… Anecdotes, stories, hits & misses, the good, the bad and, well, the rest…
The Third Largest City In Greece - Visit Patras
Welcome to Patras, a bustling student city, a place where entertainment, history and culture mingle together to create a destination filled with wonderful discoveries. Start your exploration around the city from Aghiou Nikolaou (Ayiou Nikoláou), the most famous pedestrian street. There, 192 steps await to lead you to the Old City. A romantic stroll around its cobbled streets will reveal grand colourful neoclassic mansions, reminders of the city’s glorious past.
Visit the city’s Medieval Castle, built in the second half of the 6th century A.D. on the ruins of the ancient Acropolis. Its walls enclose an area of about 22 sq.m.; it consists of a triangular external compound enhanced with towers and ramparts.
Walk past the remaining buildings, and take in breathtaking views of the city.
West of the Acropolis, in the “Áno Póli” (upper city), you will find Patras Roman Odeum, which was actually built earlier than the Athens Odeum (Herodion 160 AD). The geographer Pausanias, who visited Patras in 170 AD, wrote: “It has the most beautiful decoration I have ever seen, excluding of course that of Athens". The surrounding space is turned into an archaeological area where mosaics, sarcophagi and other ancient findings are displayed. The romantic souls should seek for the city’s landmark, the Lighthouse, in order to enjoy a breathtaking panorama of the port.
A visit to Spinney, the pine-tree-covered hill, the so-called “Veránda” of Patras will certainly uplift your senses. Its specially formed paths and the shade offered by the tall trees make it an ideal place for you to enjoy leisurely walks, or even go jogging. There you can also find a Municipal tourist kiosk from where you can admire a breathtaking view of the city, the port and the Patras Gulf.
In the centre of the city, two historical monuments will certainly draw your attention: Saint Andrew Church, one of the biggest churches in the Balkans, and “APOLLON" Municipal Theatre, one of the first opera houses in Europe. It was designed in 1972 by the German architect Ernest Ziller. Since 1988 it permanently houses the Patras Municipal Regional Theatre.
To read more, please see visitgreece.gr
ELSTAT: Internet Use In Greek Households
The Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT) conducted research on the use of information and communication technologies by households for 2013. The research revealed that in the first quarter of 2013, 60.4% of Greek citizens between the ages of 16 and 74 used a computer and 59.9% used the internet.
The vast majority of internet connections at home were broadband connections. Compared to the first quarter of 2012, the largest increase in internet connections was recorded in Attica (6.8%) and the smallest in Central Greece (1.5%).
More than 6 out of 10 men were using the internet and the ratio was almost the same among women. There was a strong variation, however, between different age groups. More than 9 out of 10 Greeks aged between 16 and 24 were using the internet, compared to 1 out of 10 Greeks aged between 65 and 74.
The variation between groups of different educational levels was also considerable. The internet was used by 9 out of 10 Greeks of high educational level, by 7 out of 10 Greeks of moderate educational level and by about 2 out of 10 Greeks of low educational level.
Moreover, in the first quarter of 2013, 93.3% of Greeks used the internet at least once a week, showing a 2.7% increase in use, compared to 2012 (91.7%).
By Evgenia Adamantopoulou
Fire-Scarred Central Athens Cinemas To Receive Facelift
Bill Granting More Cohabitation Rights Up For Consultation
To read more, please visit: ekathimerini
Best Spots For Counting The Stars In Athens
Verdant Ardittou Hill lies in the centre of Athens just above Kallimarmaron Stadium. Of enormous archaeological value due to its position, Ardittou Hill is a favorite spot among Athenians for romantic strolls as well as a great spot for jogging. It probably has the best views of the Acropolis, Lycabettus Hill, and the Columns of Olympian Zeus. A night walk along its cool paths reveals many charming secrets, both ancient and modern. Continuing along these paths brings you to Mets, an area with a growing reputation for fun and entertainment. What better way, in fact, to end your meander down lovers’ lane than with a drink in-hand soaking up the atmosphere with other Athenian fun-seekers!
Climbing up the picturesque steps of Kallidromiou Street in Exarhia, picking your way through the playfully cunning cats who’ve made this place their domain and admiring neoclassical buildings of exceptional beauty, you will find yourself on Strefi Hill. This particular hill is one of the favourite haunts of the Athenian young, and it’s not uncommon for parties to be held there, just below the little stone theatre. The night, as we all know, is made for romance, but if you prefer something less intimate, during the summer months you have the option of “Exostrefis”, one of the best known restaurants in Athens which serves excellent food and wine. The panoramic view of the city from the hill is invigorating, its trees, shrubs and flowers offer a breath of cool fresh air.
Perhaps the most iconic hill in Athens, second only to the Acropolis, Lycabettus is the highest point of the Athens basin, standing at 227 metres above the city. Access to this wonderful hill can be on foot but the most popular way is the picturesque cable car. Romanticism without the weariness of the climb and the whole of Athens at your feet! Atop the hill of Lycabettus sits St. George’s chapel in its whitewashed splendor, as if on permanent loan from the Cyclades. Before you decide to visit the hill, check if there is a concert on that day, as the theatre of Lycabettus is one of the most popular open air venues, and its stage has hosted top acts from the international music scene. However, even without musical accompaniment the climb to the top of Lycabettus is well worth it because of the unrivalled view when you get there. Sprawling Athens is at once tiny and vast, its myriad of lights is a starscape to match the heavens.
Named after the monument discovered there, Philopappou Hill is one of the most beautiful spots in Athens. With a strong flavour of ancient Greece, full of olive trees and in full view of the Parthenon, Philopappou Hill seems to encapsulate huge swathes of Greek history, ancient and modern, in a single image. Besides the Parthenon, you can cast your eyes down on the Acropolis Museum, the Odeon of Herodes Atticus, the whole of Apostolou Pavlou Avenue and the Observatory. On a clear day you can see the sea. Especially at night Philopappou Hill is transformed into an Athenian beacon, its monument bathed in a single orange spotlight. After a romantic walk on Philopappou, there are many districts resting in its shade to discover. Theseion, Monastiraki, Koukaki, Petralona. Pick one and have fun until the stars disappear from the sky.
On the southernmost tip of Greater Athens lies the headland of Sounion, with its iconic Temple of Poseidon, which adorns the clifftop 60 metres above the sea. Sunsets at Sounion are cinematic to say the least and have served many a passionate liaison with a sumptuous mauve and orange backdrop. So if you are in Athens, don’t miss the opportunity to visit Sounion at dusk so you too can marvel at the sun’s majestic descent into the Saronikos gulf and – if you are lucky – perhaps a bright full moon rising a little later on. In the summer months don’t miss out on a night dip on one of the nearby beaches. The sea, an ancient floodlit temple and you. A leisurely jaunt down the coast from the city and this paradise can be yours.
How To Rent Your Flat On Airbnb
According to the current tax system, income from renting properties is taxed according to the following scale: for income less/equal than 12,000 euros, the tax rate is 11 percent, while for income over 12,000 euros, the rate is 33 percent. These rates may change once new tax legislation is voted in parliament.
Source: Greek Travel Pages
Trip To Greece By Melina Mallos
To purchase 'Trip To Greece,' please visit: Melina Mallos
About The Author
Ms. Mallos is a passionate writer, researcher and teacher with over 15 years’ experience working as a child educator in art museums in Australia. Ms. Mallos is also a frequent presenter at conferences, schools, libraries and community events. Her work has been featured in international journals, television and on the radio. In 2010, she was awarded a prestigious Queensland-Smithsonian Fellowship to research early learning programs in Washington D.C.