An Orthodox spiritual centre since 1054, Mount Athos has
enjoyed an autonomous statute since Byzantine times. The 'Holy Mountain', which
is forbidden to women and children, is also a recognized artistic site. The
layout of the monasteries (about 20 of which are presently inhabited by some
1,400 monks) had an influence as far afield as Russia, and its school of
painting influenced the history of Orthodox art.
Friday, June 16, 2017
Thursday, June 15, 2017
Ring of Gyges
The Ring of Gyges is a mythical magical artifact mentioned by the philosopher Plato in Book 2 of his Republic (2:359a–2:360d). It granted its owner the power to become invisible at will. Through the story of the ring, Republic considers whether an intelligent person would be moral if he did not have to fear being caught and punished for doing injustices.
Tuesday, June 13, 2017
Delian problem
The problem
owes its name to a story concerning the citizens of Delos, who consulted
the oracle at Delphi in order to
learn how to defeat a plague sent by Apollo. According to Plutarch
it was the citizens of Delos who consulted the oracle at Delphi , seeking a solution for their internal political
problems at the time, which had intensified relationships among the citizens. The
oracle responded that they must double the size of the altar to Apollo, which
was a regular cube. The answer seemed strange to the Delians and they consulted Plato,
who was able to interpret the oracle as the mathematical problem of doubling
the volume of a given cube, thus explaining the oracle as the advice of Apollo
for the citizens of Delos to occupy themselves with the study of
geometry and mathematics in order to calm down their passions.
Doubling
the cube, also known as the Delian problem, is an ancient geometric problem.
Given the edge of a cube, the problem requires the construction
of the edge of a second cube whose volume is double that of the first, using only the tools of a compass and
straightedge.
Quick tour Olympia
In western Peloponnese, in the beautiful valley of the Alpheios river, lies the most celebrated sanctuary of ancient Greece. Dedicated to Zeus, the father of the gods, it sprawls over the southwest foot of Mount Kronios, at the confluence of the Alpheios and the Kladeos rivers, in a lush, green landscape. Although secluded near the west coast of the Peloponnese, Olympia became the most important religious and athletic centre in Greece. Its fame rests upon the Olympic Games, the greatest national festival and a highly prestigious one world-wide, which was held every four years to honour Zeus. The origin of the cult and of the festival went back many centuries. Local myths concerning the famous Pelops, the first ruler of the region, and the river Alpheios, betray the close ties between the sanctuary and both the East and West.
Hellenic Olympic Committee Olympia video
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