Athens Greece: The Best Free Things to Do in the Greek Capital

Posted in: Traveling in Greece 0

Last updated on May 29th, 2022 at 10:15 pm

Athens Greece is a vibrant and dynamic city where you can find archeological vestiges and modern constructions. If you are an adventurer, gastronome, sun worshipper, or even a history buff, you can discover something you love in this historical place.

Athens
Athens – Photo by Ömer Karakus on Unsplash

If you visit for a few days and are on a tight budget, you do not have to worry because you can enjoy free tourist spots in this Greek capital.

1) The Athens Greece National Garden

Athens national gardens
Athens national gardens – Photo by Despina Galani on Unsplash

The National Garden is a public park next to the Parliament Building in Syntagma. If you prefer to take a break from the concrete jungle, you can head to this green area featuring a botanical museum, a zoo, a small pond, and a café on any warm day.

German architect Friedrich von Gaertner designed it in 1836 from the initial idea of Queen Amalia.

The park is open the whole day, and if you have kids with you, they can play in the playground with seesaws and swings or visit the children’s library.

2) The Filopappou Hill

If you are up to some climbing on warm days, you will love Filopappou Hill, an extension of Acropolis Hill where you can enjoy the beautiful views of the city, as well as the port of Piraeus.

You can also take a break at a rocky top of Aueropagus Hill known as Vrahakia. If you prefer a pleasant afternoon climb, you can head to Strefi Hill in Exarcheia for an excellent vantage view of the Acropolis.

3) The Archeological Wonders on Display

Kariatides statues
Kariatides statues – Photo by Sergio García on Unsplash

Athens discovered several archaeological artifacts when it built its metro network. They are now on display on the upper level of different metro stations in Syntagma, Acropolis, Panepistimio, and Monastiraki.

4) Changing of the Guards

If you visit the Parliament near Syntagma Square at around 11 am on Sundays, you will chance up the Changing of the Guards ceremony with a large group of a military ceremonial unit known as the Evzones. However, if you cannot make it, you can catch them every hour as they march from their barracks on Irodou Attikou down Vasilissis Sofias Avenue.

5) Lycabettus Hill

Lykavitos hill - Athens
Lykavitos hill – Athens – Photo by Julia Joppien on Unsplash

You can find a tiny 19th-century church of Saint George on top of Lycabettus Hill, the highest point in Athens, as a favorite of couples for romantic weddings. You may reach the hill by taking the funicular railway from Aristippou Street or walking up the steep steps.

You will love to walk among the shrubs and pine trees or watch the concerts and performances in the parking lot near the Lycabettus Theater during the summer.

6) Athens University History Museum

Athens museum gallery
Athens museum gallery – Photo by Hans Reniers on Unsplash

The Athens University History Museum contains the historical memorabilia of the university and illustrates Modern Greek history.

You can find a permanent exhibition consisting of items thematically presented and pertain to the schools of theology, philosophy, law, and medicine. It guarantees a unique experience of the variety of collections covering history, art, and science.

If you visit during the spring and summer months, you will discover cultural events in the courtyard spaces.

7) Museum of Popular Instruments

Foivos Anogianakis, or the Museum of Greek Popular Instruments, in Plaka, has about 1,200 Greek musical instruments dating from the 18th century.

You can find the mansion next to the Roman Agora. The museum promotes, studies, and conserves these traditional musical instruments because of the rich history of the contemporary and Byzantine traditions of Greek ethnomusicology and music.

You can watch performances and events on the premises or buy books, musical instruments, and CDs at the museum shop.

8) Diomidous Botanical Garden

If you find yourself in the neighborhood of Haidari, you can check out the Diomidous Botanical Garden. It covers about 1.86 hectares of at least 3,500 plant species, including natural pinewoods, herbs, and historical plants mentioned in ancient Greek mythology.

If you are a nature lover, you will love to spend an afternoon walking around the garden.

9) Philatelic and Postal Museum

You can find the Philatelic and Postal Museum along Fokianou Street, near the Kallimarmaro Stadium of Athens, a famous stadium because it hosted the Olympic Games in 1896.

You will discover exhibits about the history of the Greek Post and the history and development of stamps.

10) Museum of the History of Greek Costume

The Museum of the History of Greek Costumes is part of the more popular Lyceum Club of Greek Women.

It is an attractive yet tiny museum where you can view several aspects of Greek Costumes. It also exhibits some porcelain dolls in regional costumes.

11) Monastiraki Flea Market

Monastiraki market
Monastiraki market – Photo by David Tip on Unsplash

If you are a shopaholic, you cannot miss the Monastiraki flea market along Monastiraki Square up to the end of Ermou Street. It opens every day but is very chaotic on Sundays as more items are on sale.

Final Thoughts

Athens in Greece is a remarkable city worth exploring, even if you are on a tight budget. The 11 activities curated by bestessays.com are enough reason for you to book that much-awaited trip to Greece.
Enjoy the city!

About the Author
Justin is a travel writer for an essay writing service in the UK, and a blogger from Leicester, UK. He likes to discuss travels and share his own ideas with readers on different blogs and forums. Currently, he is working as an editor at bestessays.com.

10 Things to Know Before Traveling To Greece

Posted in: Traveling in Greece 0

Last updated on May 29th, 2022 at 10:12 pm

Santorini Landscape
Santorini Landscape

With a past so rich and a future too promising, Greece is amongst the best places to visit if you seek life-changing experiences. The unique culture, traditions, and customs of the place will not only leave you thrilled and entranced but much more learned.

With that said, we recommend all our readers to prepare themselves beforehand when traveling to Greece.

No – it won’t ruin your adventure.

No amount of preparation can truly, thoroughly prepare you for the magic of Greece. Even after months of planning and prep, we tell you, you’re going to go there and ask yourself: why didn’t I look it up before?

Nevertheless, here are ten things that we think you should know. Scroll down to have a glimpse of the diversity of experiences that awaits!

1. April – May: Best time to travel

If this happens to be your first-ever trip to Greece, the best time to travel is April – May. It is the shoulder season, which is relatively cool and comfortable as compared to the high season, which ranges from June – to September

The costs for car rentals and hotels are also not as high as during the hot season.

October & November are also good months to schedule your trip to Greece, but we wouldn’t advise anytime between late November to Early April.

Seasoned travelers call this the low season, wherein the temperature’s too cold, and the buzz in the streets is almost non-existent.

2. There are loads of ruins to explore!

Now, the sound of the word ruins may not excite you. But trust us, this is what all those Greek legends are all about!

There are dozens of archaeological sites all across Greece, including:

Sanctuary of Delphi: This is the iconic place where the spirit of Apollo got filled into the oracle of Delphi. Historically, it is the prime worship place for Apollo and other gods & goddesses.

Corinth: Previously, Corinth happened to be one of the notable establishments in Greece. Later it got sacked by the Romans, which explains the presence of several magnificent Roman buildings there. You may also visit the temple of Apollo, the Temple of Aphrodite there, and the secret passage that leads to a shrine.

Ancient Epidaurus: Epidaurus is a historical place that’s a must-visit for music lovers. Here you will get to see the remains of music theatres that Greeks still use for performances and live concerts during summers.

Acropolis of Athens: With four distinct pillars and the highest point of the city, it is amongst Europe’s most important preserves of the ancient world.

Ancient Olympia: This is the place where the very first form of the Olympic games was held once every four years, i.e., the Pan-Hellenic Games. It is also the place of worship of Zeus (the god of the Greek gods).

Palace of Knossos: Located in Crete, the remains of this once-expansive palace is the place you will find the very famous labyrinth of the Theseus and Minotaur. Along with that, there are several artworks to explore
You will have plentiful bits of history to learn!

3. Driving is a tough job

The land of Greece is rough and tough. The roads move back and forth with loads of jumps and turns. You may feel as if you are on a mission during the first 10 minutes or so. But as time ticks by, your time on the road will tire you out. So, make sure you take sufficient breaks during the drive.

Another aspect that makes driving a rather tough job is the unique driving rules and regulations of Greece. The speed limit varies by area. For example, in cities, you will have an allowance of 50 km/h. In the countryside, you will have an allowance of 110 km/h, and on freeways, 120km/h is okay.

It is also a common opinion that local Greeks are highly impatient when driving. They may overtake your vehicle, speed up to get past you, and take turns at full speed. So, you should better let the locals pass first!
Moreover,  the Greeks drive on the right side of the driving lane. So, if you are from UK or Australia, you might find it difficult initially.

4. Wiser to Rent a Car

Given Greek road struggles, it’s best to keep yourself well-informed about the car rental services in Greece. Rented cars will conveniently get you to and from different destinations without draining your energy and busting a hole in your pocket. Most car rentals are pretty reasonable in Greece.

5. One can’t miss gorgeous Greek beaches

Lastly, you should know well enough about the Greek beaches. They rank as the best beaches in the whole of Europe and truly have magnificent views and magical feels.

Mykonos and Naxos have some of the most popular beaches of all. These are good for fun activities and relaxation respectively.

Lalaria beach is also widely gets recognized for its mesmerizing emerald water and carpeting white pebbles that make the beach all the more beautiful. The beach offers a soothing and entrancing experience.

The same is true for Shipwreck bay at Zakynthos.

In total, there are about 400 beaches! (And nine marinas). Now, you can imagine the number of water wonders and scenic beauty that Greece has to offer!

6. Best to explore as many islands as possible

Did you know? Greece has about 226 inhabited islands that house loads of excitement from watching sunsets to exquisite fests.

Most of them are only an hour apart if you travel by ferry. And with so much majesty and adventure all clustered in one place, we guess Greece will most probably rank amongst the top yet again in the list of the best honeymoon destinations in 2022!

On that note, we’ll advise you to visit as many islands as you can, instead of spending all your time on one.

7. Birthdays – Not a Celebration

It may sound strange, but the elderly the Greeks do not celebrate their Birthdays. In actuality, the elderly may not even remember their birth dates because they associate birthday celebrations with self-obsession and self-centeredness. Instead, the naming days get celebrated.

On naming days, the Greeks arrange an open house and let willing people pay a visit to the person who got named. The guests may bring gifts. And the host arranges a feast. This celebration is similar to that of birthdays.

8. Sundays are Off

As a resident of any other country, you would naturally expect Sunday to be the busiest day of the week, at least on the streets.

But in Greece, it is vice versa. Sundays are the only days that some people get to rest. And so most bakeries, museums, shopping outlets, gas stations, and everything else are closed down. Some restaurants and coffee shops may be open.

9. Greet Good Morning until Dark

No, no – don’t get Greeks wrong. They know the difference between afternoons and evenings. But they will still greet Kalimera, i.e., good morning to one another at any point of the day as long as it isn’t.

10. Late Nights Plans are a city thing!

Greeks prioritize their midday nap over their night’s sleep. It is almost a part of the modern Greek culture to take some rest during 3-5 pm. Naturally, they tend to stay up late at night.

Children even have their extracurricular activities scheduled for 8 or 9 pm, while you – as a tourist – can easily think of making a booking or appointment at 11 pm!

How to Cycle on the Sandy Beaches of Corfu: 9 Pro-Backed Tips

Posted in: Corfu Beaches 0

Last updated on May 29th, 2022 at 07:52 pm

Bicycle on the beach
Bicycle on the beach

Biking on a sandy surface like that of the sandy beaches in Corfu is totally different from cycling on peachy roads. When it comes to cycling on the beach your bike can give you the experience of a bumpy ride, wobbly steering, and tires struggling to grip a loose surface.

Corfu has an abashment of riches when it comes to talking about beaches. In Corfu, there are infinite options all around the island, from long, off-the-beaten-track expanses of fine sand, to small picturesque pebbly bays and idyllic coves. Many are cycling-friendly with lightly sloping beaches with shallow waters.

What do you think? This is something impossible? Well, choosing the bike for beach cycling and a bit of practice can help you master this. If you have made up your mind to glide across the beach in Corfu, going throw this short read can be a plus for you.

How to Cycle on the Sandy Beaches of Corfu On Your Bike

1. Get the right bike

With a bike on the beach
With a bike on the beach

Fat bikes that come with 26 inches rims and 4 inches tires are the best option to ride through the sand. So, if you want to cruise along the beach and tackle sand dunes, a fat bike will be the best fit for you.

2. Get the right tires

Bicycle tire
Bicycle tire

You might like to get more contact with the sand surface and balance your bike easily when riding on the beach. Right? You know tires can play the most important role in this. Choose tires between 4.4 to 6.4 wide. Remember- chunkier support is required for loose sand.

3. Lower the tire pressure

Bicycle tire pressure checker
Bicycle tire pressure checker

If you want to make your ride easier, let some air get out of the tires. Being in less contact with the sandy surface makes the bike less difficult to steer and pedal. For a fat bike, go at most 4-6 psi where the psi should be 18-20 for mountain bikes.

4. Remain in low gears

Bicycle gears
Bicycle gears

More torque can be produced with lower gears and it can reduce the chances of the wheels getting stuck in the sand. Getting used to the thicker tires can be frustrating but extra pushes on pedals can help you stay on the sand.

5. Reduce shifting and braking

What can reduce your speed and take your wheels into the sand? Of course, breaking and shifting. Try to shift gears when you’re on a solid surface. When you’re on flat ground, select a gear that will help ease pedaling and will let you have enough speed to carry you.

6. Ride-on right sand

If you don’t have any previous experience in riding on the sand, avoid riding on loose sand which will slow your speed down and make the steering difficult. On the other hand, you’ll feel like riding on wet grass while riding on wet or a thin layer of sand. Be aware of steep slopes and stay away from them if you’re comfortable enough.

7. Pedal consistently

Short pedaling, change in speed, or uneven bursts can lead your rear wheel to dig into the sand or slip. Stick to a particular cadence until you find changes in slope.
As a beginner, it is recommended to ride slower than usual because there have chances to lose control and you might not like to fly over the handlebar.

If you notice a patch of sand ahead while on hard ground, gather enough speed to pass through it. Also, take your body weight off the onward wheel when you approach.

8. Use counter pressure to change direction

It’s not possible to steer the bike on a paved surface as you would normally do. In general, riding in the sand requires gradually leaning the body and using the counter pressure to turn the bike. Remember- a quick turn can lead your tire to dig into the sand.

9. Relax

Remember- loose sand is responsible for a wiggly and bumpy ride. To stay in control and absorb the shock, try to keep your body loose as much as possible. Hold the handlebars gently.

Hopefully, this article has helped you learn how to cycle on rough terrain such as a sandy beach in Corfu, on your bike. If you’re still feeling hesitant, consult the experts for lessons or opt for watching videos online. Happy cycling!

Corfu - Chalikounas beach
Corfu – Chalikounas beach
AUTHOR
Martine Stoker is an exquisite writer, hungry for new novelty. He is a digital marketing professional and Specializes in content strategy, SEO, and social media advertising. He’s been a content marketer for over 3 years and writes for many publications on blogging and website strategy. I like to work with new entrepreneurs and bloggers because of new challenges and adventures. New opportunities and trends fill him with tons of enthusiasm to uncover hidden topics.

5 Books to Read During Quarantine to Feel Like Traveling in Greek Islands

Posted in: Traveling in Greece 0

Last updated on May 29th, 2022 at 10:10 pm

Reading on the beach
Reading on the beach – Image by StockSnap from Pixabay

Probably every tourist will agree that a trip to Greece will remain in the heart forever. This country is a favorite destination for many tourists and a dream for those who have never been there. Azure water, antique luxury, olive paradise, white sand, and antic mysteries are just a part of those that attract people to Greece from all over the world.

Now avid travelers feel confused as most of their favorite destinations are closed due to COVID-19. Fortunately, quarantine is not a limitation of our imagination and everyone can go on a journey without leaving their home. All you need to do is get the right book. Greece has been the muse of many writers for millennia, and today dreamers have a lot of books to read to feel like they are on the Greek islands.

Top 5 Books to Feel Like Traveling in the Greek Islands

An Aegean landscape in Santorini
An Aegean landscape in Santorini – Image by Michelle Raponi from Pixabay

Do you miss Greece? Or are you just dreaming of going on a trip? One way or another, COVID-19 dictates its own rules and changes the plans of people around the world. However, you still can feel like traveling across this ancient country since books are still great tools to travel without leaving your home.

There are many books about Greece, and the first thing that comes to mind is mythology. However, in addition to antiquity, history, and mythology, some books inspire travel.

If you want to find yourself in Greece under the scorching sun, breathe in the sea air and find yourself among the olive trees, then the following books will help you do it. There are no books on Greek mythology here, and most of them can be a real discovery for the reader.

1. The Names by Don DeLillo

This book is suitable for those who not only want to travel to Greece but also love detective stories. This book by a famous author is not as popular as the others. But this is a real guide to Greece, that will be familiar to tourists.

The author is not only a writer but also a guide. He describes the details as a true traveler and an excellent observer just like how top-notch freelance authors write the best website content.

His text can evoke a love for Greece, even for those who have never wanted to go there. The text seems to take the reader into the bright sun, to the bell tower against the background of a blue-blue sky, stones, and sand. If you have ever been to Greece, then the description of nature and the general atmosphere will make you say “Yes, yes. That’s so true. ”

2. The Corfu Trilogy by Gerald Durrell

The books from this trilogy tell about the five years of the life of the author and his family on the island of Corfu. Initially, the author wanted to describe the animal and natural world of the island in the Ionian Sea. But the author could not omit the stories about his family, so in addition to the delightful description of the island of Corfu, the reader will receive interesting characters and stories.

These books will tell you how Corfu influenced the future of the writer and will immerse you in the life of the island. The words from the book will make you consider a popular tourist destination from the other angle, and perhaps your next trip to the island will be a discovery for you in the other context.

3. Greece on My Wheels by Edward Enfield

This book is a mix of the author’s journey and Greek history. It will allow the reader not only to imagine Greece but also to plunge into antiquity and historical mysteries. There is no doubt that this book will make you smile and dream.

This book is more than a fun guide. This is a gripping tale of a journey with a mix of historical knowledge and wit that was undoubtedly inherited from the author from his father. If you were looking for a book that will help you delve into various milestones in history, this will be the right choice. This production will open up new pages of Greek history for you, as well as slightly open the veil of the stories of other peoples – Romans, Turks, Albanians, and other nations.

4. Greek to Me: Adventures of the Comma Queen by Marry Morris

If you are in love with Greece and want to find a like-minded person, then Marry Morris is what you need. In short, the title of this book perfectly describes what you read about. This whole book is a declaration of love for Greece, for language, myths, legends, and culture.

The book is written with such warmth and love for the country that everyone will want to give up all their deals and go to this sunny destination. If you are fond of foreign languages and philology, then you will like this book since the author also focuses on the Greek language, its alphabet, and linguistic details.

5. Greece and The Greek Islands by Lonely Planet

Even though this is not a book but a real guidebook, it will appeal to both experienced Greece tourists and a newcomer. Most people note that this travel guide surpasses many online resources and even Pinterest with its beautiful photos. The guide will allow you to discover new interesting places, and sights of Greece and may become your real helper in your future journey.

There is a lot of information here, not only about the regions and islands but also about which restaurants you should dine in. Therefore, if you plan to go to Greece at the end of the quarantine, then here you can find a lot of useful and interesting information for your future trip.

The Bottom Line

Navayio beach in Zakynthos
Navayio beach in Zakynthos – Image by Pexels from Pixabay

Most likely, people love Greece so much because from early childhood they are well familiar with its fascinating history and mythology. The above books will allow you to stay in Greece without leaving your home. A person’s imagination has no boundaries, and books are a good impetus to start your exciting journey.

Tiffany Porter
AUTHOR
Tiffany Porter is an expert writer who specializes in creating various training and professional upgrade courses, materials, manuals, and reviews for the best writing services reviews website. She also likes traveling and speaks German and French.

Beautiful Baby Names Inspired by Greek Mythology

Last updated on June 29th, 2022 at 01:13 pm

Baby Names Inspired by Greek Mythology
Baby Names Inspired by Greek Mythology

Every parent wants to pick the most beautiful names for their babies. Each country and culture have quite a few unique names to choose from for your baby. One of the richest sources of unusual and one-of-a-kind names though is Greek mythology.

If you have run out of ideas or wish to browse through baby names with an interesting backstory, read further. Here are some of the most unusual baby names as well as their background stories to help you choose the right name for your baby.

1. Demeter

Demeter or Dimitra in Greek was the Greek goddess of fertility, grain, and harvest. She was one of the Twelve Olympian gods who lived on Mount Olympus. Demeter was a very important goddess to ancient Greek farmers and peasants who relied on her for good crops for the season. She was the sister of Zeus and the mother of Persephone.

2. Achilles

Achilles was one of the most popular Greek heroes in mythology and was considered to possess remarkable strength and bravery. His weakness, the “Achilles heel” became a phraseological unit and is widely used worldwide.

3. Terpsichore

Terpsichore was the goddess of dance and chorus as well as one of the nine Muses in ancient Greek mythology. Her name is oftentimes associated with the word “terpsichorean”, which means “of or relating to dance”. She is depicted holding a lyre and accompanying the dancers with her music.

This would be a great choice for a baby girl born in a family of musicians or people who are truly devoted to these arts.

4. Evander

Evander’s name translates to a good or strong man. He was a hero from Arcadia who brought the alphabet, laws, and pantheon of Greece to Italy. He was also the son of goddess Carmentis and god Hermes.

5. Helios

Helios was the personification of the Sun, and he was one of the Titans, the son of Hyperion and Theia. His siblings were Eos, the Dawn, and Selene the Moon. One of his most memorable images in Greek mythology is of him riding his chariot. He was married to Perse and had several children.

6. Electra

Elektra was a popular character in two ancient Greek tragedies. She was the daughter of King Agamemnon and Queen Clytemnestra of Mycenae. This beautiful name translates to the woman that is radiant with grace.

7. Apollo

Apollo was a god in Greek mythology, one of the Twelve Olympians, and the son of Zeus and Leto, the twin brother of Artemis. He is, among others, considered the god of medicine, archery, music, poetry, and also the sun. He is also the god of justice. Along with all these, this name is also tied to a significant mission.

The US Apollo is a NASA space program that sent the first humans to the moon. This will be a catching topic to write essays on when your child is of school age. With the right educational resource available, they will be able to understand their name and feel proud when writing any school paper.

8. Arete

Arete translates to grace, and she was a goddess that people connected to many qualities deemed attractive. Some of those were excellence, courage, and knowledge. Arete is also greatly connected to reaching a person’s full potential and is, therefore, an essential quality to the Greeks.

9. Endymion

Endymion was the son of Zeus, and he was known for his beauty, probably having gotten his handsome looks from his father. He was a shepherd who lived in the region of Elis, and he was believed to have been a king. Endymion’s beauty was so great that Selene, the Titan goddess of the moon, fell in love with him. She then asked his father to give him eternal youth.

10. Adonis

Adonis was considered to be a handsome man and a symbol of masculine beauty. He was the mortal lover of the Goddess Aphrodite. As myth has it, the place where Adonis took his last breath was where red roses bloomed for the first time.

To this day, this name is widespread in the US as more and more parents choose it every single year.

11. Iris

Iris in Greek translates to the rainbow. In ancient Greek mythology, she was the goddess of the rainbow and an urgent messenger of the Olympian gods. She was also oftentimes considered to be the personal messenger of Hera.

Iris was a goddess of the sea and the sky. She was the daughter of another Electra, an Oceanid born by the Titans, and Thaumas “the wondrous”, a marine god.

12. Hermes

Hermes was an Olympian deity in ancient Greek mythology. He was the herald of the gods as well as the God of boundaries, athletes, speed, and commerce. Hermes was the son of Zeus and Maia, the Pleiad. He was also oftentimes regarded as “the divine trickster”.

13. Calypso

Calypso was the daughter of the Titan Atlas, and she was a beautiful nymph of the mythical island Ogygia. If Ogygia was real it should be the island of Othonoi, a small island a few miles northwest of Corfu island where there is a cave named Cave of Calypso.

She was an influential character in Homer’s Odyssey as she followed the journey of Odysseus for seven years. She tried to promise him immortality, but his longing for his home was a lot more powerful than that.

14. Leander

Leander was a young man who came from Abydos. He lived on the eastern shore of the Hellespont. He was known in Greek mythology as a very powerful swimmer. When he fell in love with one of Aphrodite’s priestesses, he became famous for swimming across the Hellespont every night, so he could see her.

You didn’t find a name to like on our list yet? No problem.

Greek Mythology offers thousands of choices, here are some more beautiful names, mostly for girls!

15. Eris

Eris was one of the primordial gods and means Dispute, but it sounds beautiful as a woman’s name when spelled.

16. Io

Io was a nymph, one of the many lovers of Dias, a Beautiful name.

17. Leto

Leto was the mother of the god’s Apollo and Artemis, a nice and frequent name among Greeks.

18. Alkmene

Alkmene is an oceanic nymph, the mother of the most famous hero Heracles.

19. Metis

Metis was the first wife of Dias and the mother of the goddess Athena.

20. Selene

Selene, daughter of Titan Hyperion and the personification of the moon.

21. Artemis

Artemis, An Olympian goddess, daughter of Dias and Leto, and sister to Apollo, is a very frequent name in Greece.

22. Athena

Athena was the daughter of Dias and Metis, goddess of wisdom who gave her name to Athens.

23. Jason

Jason was the hero who with his argonauts stole the Golden Fleece from Colchis.

24. Nereus

Nereus, The old lord of the sea, son of the primordial god Pontos.

25. Phoebe

Phoebe was the daughter of Hermes and Aphrodite.

26. Nike

Nike means Victory and was a daughter of the first god of war Pallas. Also a very used and nice name.

27. Zelea

Zelea was the Goddess of Jealousy and sister to Nike. As a name is uniquely strange and also very attractive.

If there is a chance for your little girl to become an actress, follow our advice and call her Zelea.

28. Rhea

Rhea, the most important Titaness, wife of Cronos, and mother to Dias. One of the best-sounding names for a beautiful woman.

A woman named Rhea is obliged to be beautiful, otherwise, she has to change her name.

29. Themis

Themis, a Titaness, this name can be used for both girls and boys.

30. Dione

Dione, another Titaness, and a beautiful name.

31. Pandora

Pandora was the first woman on Earth, who married Epimetheus.

32. Enyo

Enyo was the daughter of Dias and Hera, a nice and strange name.

33. Hebe

Hebe was the sister of Enyo, the personification of adolescence.

34. Rhode

Rhode was the daughter of Hermes and Aphrodite, Rhode means Rose, an unusual as well as nice name.

Greek mythology is an endless source of inspiration, fascinating stories, and impressive characters. If you want to give your kid a unique and outstanding name, make use of this list.

Author Bio:
Alison Lee is an experienced writer and editor who has been in this field for more than a decade. She came into the media world as an intern and invested hard work and long hours to get to the top. Alison is an Editor-in-chief at Subjecto now and also an inspiring leader, according to her team. What drives Alison is giving people quality content that they can enjoy and learn from at the same time. Her hobbies include reading books, collecting records, and traveling. She dreams of stepping on all seven continents.

Who are The Hellenes? The Real Name of the Greeks

Last updated on May 29th, 2022 at 09:12 pm

Hellas is the land of Hellenes, i.s the land of the Greeks.

But why do we call Greece Hellas and who are the Hellenes?

Well, the question is wrong and should be reversed!

It should be as:

Why do we call Hellas Greece and Who are the Hellenes?

Hellenes and Hellas

Note here that the name Hellen has nothing to do with Helen of Troy, but Hellen (written with two ll), who was the first son of Defkalion.

And the Flood of Defkalion was the start of the Hellenic civilization according to Hesiod’s cosmogony.

A common factor in almost all mythologies is the fact that they meddle myths with historic reality, you don’t know what is true and what’s fictional.

There were people living and thriving in the Aegean islands of Cyclades and Crete for many centuries before the Achaeans, the first Greek civilization in Mycenae.

In the Cyclades, the Pelasgians created the first European civilization dating back to 3000 years BCE.

There are not many things known about them except that they had a written language using linear A script, a not decrypted script yet.  Later they used Linear B, obviously an evolution of Linear A.

Linear B is decrypted and can be understood, it is a syllabic writing system revealing Greek words and Greek names when read.

We still don’t know the exact relationship between the Pelasgians and the Greeks.

The same civilization on the island of Crete is known as the Minoans, from the name of their most famous king Minos. Minoans also used the Linear B writing system as the Mycaeneans also did.

Greek Mythology - The flood
Greek Mythology – The flood

The Flood of Defkalion

Here is the part of Cosmogony that describes the origin of the Greeks(Hellenes), hence the origin of the name Hellenes and Hellas.

Flood of Defkalion
Flood of Defkalion

Greek Cosmogony although a fairy tale is the part of Greek mythology that is more entertaining than the bible’s boring cosmogony.

The tales passed from generation to generation with a degree of skew or beautification each time.

Here we go!

After a terrible flood (not that of Noah), Hellenic civilization disappeared and only two survivors remained.

Defkalion and Pyrah.

Defkalion was the son of Titan Prometheus who created the human species and gave them fire.

Pyrah was his wife, the daughter of Pandora, the first woman created by the gods.

How many of you know the name Pandora? many I’m sure.

Before the flood, Prometheus advised his son Defkalion, when he reigned in Thessaly, to build a large ark, fill it with supplies, and pray for the best.

Soon the heavens opened and the earth flooded. The ark with Defkalion and Pyrah rained for 9 days and nights until it ran aground on the top of Mount Parnassus. From here they had a good view of Delphi, where later the famous Oracle was.

Delphi considered the navel, the center of the earth, as the ancient Hellenes believed.

Does all this remind you of the biblical version of Noah’s ark? Sure it does, it’s the same myth.

The first Hellenes after the Flood

After being rescued, the couple received an order from the God of Gods Dias(Jupiter). They should collect as many stones as they could and throw them behind their back.

The stones that Defkalion threw became men and stones thrown by Pyrah became women.

They were the first Hellenes to repopulate Hellas.

The first stone of Defkalion became a man named Hellen or Hellenas, who in turn had many children. Among his children were Aeolus, Dorus, Xuthus, and Ion.

They became the ancestors of the Greek tribes of Aeolians, Dorians, Achaeans, and Ionians respectively.

They were all called Hellenes, and their land was Hellas.

Nice story, isn’t it?

Roman Imposition of Christianity

Hellenes were always a danger to the early Roman Empire because they were free minds. They didn’t believe in the lies of the new religion.

The emperors, used persecutions, massacres, and the destruction of ancient monuments. They burned libraries where the ancient knowledge was and stopped Human progress. Oppression and many other atrocities were used against the Hellenes.

The first historical destruction of the Parthenon took place in the 4th-century CE by Christian fanatics. This is a historical fact that is shamelessly hidden by our educational system.

Acropolis Parthenon - Destruction by Christians
Acropolis Parthenon – Destruction by Christians

But the Greek culture prooven too strong to suppress and the Emperors had to do more to get rid of the danger of Hellenism. And they did. They changed our name.

A name used by the Romans for the Hellenes of Southern Italy was Graecus.

Hellas and the inhabitants were named Graecia(Greece) and Graecus respectively after the name. In order to eliminate the word Hellas and minimize any danger to the new religion as the Hellenes identified as Pagans.

It is well known that the word Hellenes was strictly forbidden for several centuries in the Roman and later Byzantine Empire.

Thus the Latin names Graecia and Graecus prevailed later on in Romance languages, ​​for both the land and its inhabitants.

The correct name for Greece is Hellas

Therefore this is the correct name for the Greeks, they should be called Hellenes, and their land Hellas.

In 1827 the Greeks gained their freedom from the Ottomans. The European public opinion of the Philhellenes wished to name the new country Hellas. It would be easy, as Iran did with Persia, to have Greece changed to Hellas internationally.

But the Greek church totally opposed the international name Hellas for the new nation. It was a name reminiscent of the old Hellenic legacy and in the minds of the priests, the pagan religion.

So, Why doesn’t happen now although the name Hellas is the only name in use inside the country among Hellenes?

Such a decision, the change of the international name of a country, is a very serious matter and has its pros and cons. By the time most people believe that it will be a very difficult task with contradictory results, and they agree that the gain will not be that big and therefore it is not worth the effort.

I just have a thought

If all of us who maintain websites change the word Greece, where it exists, with the word Hellas, what is going to happen?

It’s just a thought though, don’t take it seriously.

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