Athens 1986

There are a couple of things happening here.  First, I'm trying to cut down on stuff by digitizing my photo albums.  Second, I find it much easier to access digital photos.  Third, I actually have some photos that seem to have survived the test of time. And finally, these photos actually fit in with various projects and interests I have (had and still have).  

As mentioned in this post, I've had a long-time interest in Greek mythology. So, it is not surprising that my first major overseas holiday was to Greece.  The following photos are all from Athens around April 1986, not long after the airport had been bombed, although being a young man in my twenties I was blissfully ignorant of such worldly events (also coincided with the US bombing Libya and I think a visit to Athens by Kissinger as I recall there were some protests and worse, the museum was closed due to some dignitary having a private visit, the day I tried to go).

Homer's Iliad

Not sure whose other Iliad it might be, but this was a retelling by Vitezslav Kocourek, translated by Vladimir Varecha and beautifully illustrated by Jiri Behounek.  From around 1993/4 and I reckon I have had it since then as well.  Finally read (and enjoyed).

I've had an interest in Greek mythology for a long time, probably inspired by movies such as Jason and the Argonauts and the cartoon series Hercules.  I note both of these date from 1963 and would have been running in Australia probably into the early 70s.  My first ancient army was WRG's Later Hoplite Greek based on the Tin Soldier Hellenistic range, an army I am still using and still adding to.

Renewed interest in Greek mythology was spurred by watching Kaos on Netflix, which got me to read Gods, Heroes and Men of Ancient Greece by W. H. D. Rouse, followed most recently by watching The Return (a movie based on Odysseus and the Suitors).  By happenstance I came across my copy of The Odyssey as well as this book on the Iliad.  Rather than start at the end, I thought I should start at the beginning.

Now, and more relevant to this blog, I have the boardgame Troy by Donald A Dupont published in 1977. It has five scenarios in ascending complexity.   The first two have been played a few times long ago and I am hoping to revisit the game soon.

More information can be found here:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Troy (game)