Greece is probably the country with the largest history since the dawn of mankind. It certainly does not have the longest history, as many nations that still exist today, existed long before the geography of Greece was inhabited. But it has by far the richest, as its contributions to humanity, in volume and quality, are of incalculable value.
Thus, the traveller to Greece, native or foreigner, has the opportunity to visit, beyond the beaches, taverns and landscapes, the past of a world that has shone for thousands of years. Not to do so is like eating a full meal and completely ignoring the aged, fine wine that goes with the dishes. A wine that came from the same place that made his food.
The following notes are simply a reminder to the traveler that his journey is not only limited to the natural world around him, but also to his history, his identity. Understanding the causes of existence and survival, through the storms of time, of what our senses practically perceive, elevates the experience of travel to new heights.
Keep in mind that the story of Greece, told by Eagleray, is the story of Greece as seen “from the sea”, just as we mark a point on the horizon from our boat. What does that mean? We collect the history that is of interest to the seafarer. It can be a naval battle or a shipwreck. It might be a cave or a place of worship near a harbour. It may be the feat of a fisherman.
It will not be the achievement of a shepherd. It will not be an endless string of dates and names. It will certainly not be a complete record of the events of a place. We are not historical researchers and besides, there are many who have done this work quite well.
Enjoy.
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