Succesfull presentation of the opera "Iliad of Homer" in the 5th Gymnasium of Acharnon

 

Monday, February 13. In the multi-purpose hall "Christos Tsevas" of the 5th Gymnasium of Acharnon, the opera "Iliad of Homer" by the composer Panagiotis Karousos was successfully presented under the direction of Music Professor Amerissa Ftoulis. The outstanding lyrical artists played the lead roles: Irini Konsta, Olga Skekliou, Giorgos Housakos, Rea Voudouri, Yannis Darreios, Niki Zaharopoulou, Argyris Kontonikolau, and Harry Giann on the piano, and the composer Panagiotis Karousos. The opera was presented under the auspices of the Hellenic-Eurasian association (Xenophon Lambrakis, president). The school's theater group led by Maria Tzei, the school's choir led by Amerissa Ftoulis, in the form of an Ancient Orchesis accompanied by a drum and a guitar, and musicians and opera actors led by Panagiotis Karousos, participated in the performance. The scenery was prepared by Neratzoula Efetzi and the director of the school, Mr. Karavias Spyros, addressed the greeting.

Students participated interactively in actions from texts of Homer's Iliad, Rhapsody A, Rhapsody G "Diomede and Glaucus", Rhapsody P "Patrocleia". The examples of prosody on phrases of the Iliad in the ancient text edited by the composer Panagiotis Karousos were interpreted by the soprano Rea Voudouri.

The students applauded their classmates and the artists. The participation of the students of the 5th High School of Acharnon was special, as well as their thorough preparation by their teachers.

The opera "Iliad" by Homer by Panagiotis Karousos is presented interactively in Schools as part of the educational program "NEW HOMERIDES" of the Ministry of Education of Greece. The program is aimed at student groups of Senior High Schools, General High Schools, Evening High Schools-High Schools and special schools from all over Greece with the aim of familiarizing young people with the art of lyrical singing and theater through their participation in an interactive opera performance.

How Gerard Butler received "Citizen of Sparta award" in 2020

 

How Gerard Butler received "Citizen of Sparta award" in 2020

Scottish-born Hollywood actor Gerad Butler known for portraying the famous king Leonidas in ‘300’, amongst other acclaimed roles, became a Spartan citizen after accepting an honorary citizenship. Following the ceremony he run as an Olympic flame torchbearer representing the city of Sparta.

The event took place Friday, March 13, 2020, as a part of the 2.500th commemoration anniversary of the Thermopylae battle, and was organised by the municipality of Sparta in Greece. He was given the citizenship in an expression of gratitude for his contribution in promoting the history of Sparta when he starred in the box office success movie ‘300’.

The ceremony was followed by Butler’s acceptance speech in which the actor stated how delighted he was to finally visit the place where Leonidas was born and, even more, to become a true Spartan, ‘a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity’ for him. He linked his Scottish heritage to the one of the famous Spartan warriors saying that ‘Scotts also come from a proud warrior tradition’, adding that epic stories like the one of king Leonidas who together with his 300 Spartan soldiers fought against all odds in Thermopylae are about ‘great leaders who made selfless actions that would change the course of history’. He then highlighted the ‘special connection’ he feels he had to Leonidas while filming the movie ‘300’ and explained he tries to ‘live up to him’.

Butler concluded that the history of Leonidas is a ‘Story of heroes, legends and Spartan principles: honor, sacrifice’ that he felt were very close to his heart, shaping him as a man and influcing the world throughout history. Ending in true Leonidas-Bulter style he roarded ‘This is holy ground, this is the land of legends, this is Sparta!’ to the gathered crowd prompting a loud applause.

Leonidas of Sparta Original

THE CLASH OF SHIELDS "OTHISMOS"

 THE CLASH OF SHIELDS "OTHISMOS"

Since spacing and weapon usage made it impractical to push against your fellow hoplite against an enemy and depth did not serve solely to apply physical pressure, it is reasonable to conclude that othismos was used by ancient historians in a figurative sense. To push in an ancient hoplite battle must refer to the gradual gaining or losing of ground. Even in the Illiad Homer used the word othismos when historians generally agree that Homeric warfare was fought in very loose formations (Homer, Illiad, 569, 655). While fourth and fifth century hoplite combat required close, hand to hand fighting, and there are references to shields being pressed against shields (Thucy., 4.96, 5.71) (Xen., Hell., 4.3.19) othismos referred to a gradual gaining of land and therefore forcing the enemy to lose land or “push” them back. This can be seen by the fact that charges conducted by armies about to clash was primarily to close distance to prevent missile fire and generally were either a fast walk or a run that ended before hoplites were in spear thrusting distance so they could reform their ranks since an open formation would be quickly defeated (Xen., Hell., 4.3.17) (Van Wees (2004) 188). Once engaged hoplites did press shields against their enemies, as shown above and by the Thessalian faint where a hoplite jumps back when pressed against therefore allowing the attacker to fall forwards (Van Wees (2004) 188), however the primary sources never allude to one mass shove, but rather mostly describe the gradual driving of an army to gain ground against an opponent. The Spartan push in the battle of Mantinea is described as an “advance” and “press” (Thucy., 5.73), the Thebans “pressed” the Spartans at the battle of Leuctra (Xen., Hell., 6.4.14), and most famously the battle of Coronea mentions shoving, head-on crashing, and breaking through (Xen., Hell., 4.3.19). Alone these examples may support one mass shove, but paired with the evidence above they show the reader that hoplite battles were determined by head on fighting between individual hoplites and once a large enough group of hoplites were successful in their individual competitions they were able to advance into the ranks of the enemy therefore “breaking their ranks” and being able to “push” them back.

Leonidas of Sparta Original

Alexander the Greatest!

 

Alexander the Greatest! Outnumbered 95% of the time!

Alexander the Great is considered the greatest military genius of the ancient world, and with a good reason. He managed to conquer almost half of the ancient world, as his kingdom spread to India, Egypt, Iran and Pakistan. He spent 13 years trying to unite the Eastern and the Western World through military force, but also with cultural exchange. Many will remember Alexander as the conqueror, but his intentions were to liberate the countries and exchange cultural experiences with them,to spread Hellenism.

One of the greatest achievements of Alexander is the fact that in 13 years of war, he never lost a single battle. Alexander began his military training under his father Philip, leading the combined armies of Greece (the Hellenic world) under unity

After the death of his father, Alexander did the unthinkable, attacking Ancient Persia with just little over 50,000 soldiers. In all the battles with Persia, as well as his sieges in Egypt and Syria, Alexander the Great never lost a battle. He combined great tactics, strategy, ferociousness and experienced soldiers.

Leonidas of Sparta Original

Billy Chrissochos with Mr. Nikos Christodoulides the new President of Cyprus

 I am so thrilled my good friend Mr. Nikos Christodoulides is the new President of #Cyprus! We are both alumnus and college mates from Queens College’s Byzantine Studies Department! I told my Byzantine History Class at St. Demetrios Preparatory School today that they can achieve great things too if they study their Byzantine Greek History

Billy Chrissochos

I am so happy for my good friend and fellow Queens College Byzantine Center Studies alumnus, Mr. Nikos Christodoulides, who is the NEW PRESIDENT OF CYPRUS! Congratulations!!!!

Billy Chrissochos, Composer at ASCAP - American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers and works at Director of Modern Music at UNESCO Club of the Department of Piraeus and Islands and Educator/Staff at St. Demetrios Preparatory School

Past: Keller Williams Realty Landmark and Marathon Bank

Studied Political science at Queens College, City University of New York