ΝΑΙΕΤΑΩ Δ' ΙΘΑΚΗΝ - I AM FROM ITHACA

ΝΑΙΕΤΑΩ Δ' ΙΘΑΚΗΝ - I AM FROM ITHACA

A short archaeological documentary by Yiannis Arsenis

Be a part of the discovery of one of the most important archaeological findings of Mycenaean Era. Help the Archaeological Team of the University of Ioannina in Greece to unearth the ruins of Odysseus Palace on the island of Ithaca.

The excavations at St. Athanasios area in Ithaca has been identified by Greek archaeologists as the palace of Odysseus. The site is believed to be a large Mycenaean palatial building complex occupying two levels. A stairway cut into the solid bedrock of the hill provided easy access to the two levels. Other finds on the site include a funerary enclosure, a large circular structure whose purpose is unknown, several storerooms and workshops, a sophisticated drainage system and an underground cistern. The complex is believed to date to around 1300 BCE.
The excavations are currently on hold owing to a lack of funding from the Greek government.

Here is where all of us are asked to come aboard, by donating whatever amount of money is possible to spare for each one of us.

The money that we will raise will be donated to the University of Ioannina for the specific purpose: The continuation of the archaeological excavations and research of Odysseus Palace on the island of Ithaca.

4 WAYS TO DONATE

1. Directly to University of Ioannina bank account.
National Bank of Greece : 359/545271-60
ΛΟΓΑΡΙΑΣΜΟΣ ΕΣΟΔΩΝ ΠΑΝΕΠΙΣΤΗΜΙΟΥ ΙΩΑΝΝΙΝΩΝ
ΕΘΝΙΚΗ ΤΡΑΠΕΖΑ ΕΛΛΑΔΟΣ
ΕΤΕ 359/545271-60

2. Through Ithaca Friends of Homer Association dedicated Bank Account.
ALPHA BANK 658-00210-0073.

3. Though PAYPAL using your credit card online.
Ithaca Friends of Homer Association's PAYPAL Donation Button
Copy-Paste link (https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=4NUTF9NYNMVL2)
or go to www.friendsofhomer.gr
and use the PAYPAL button on the sidebar

4. Order the DVD from our website
www.iamfromithaca.friendsofhomer.gr

1 euro from each one of us will make the difference!

join the cause
http://www.causes.com/causes/804292-unearth-odysseus-palace

English version & subtitle are coming soon ! Stay tuned!

Ithaca Friends of Homer Association "EYXHN ODYCCEI" presents

a documentary by Yiannis Arsenis

"I'm from Ithaca" - Odyssey

When one first sets eyes on the island of Ithaca

he cannot fail to be enchanted by the natural beauty...

small, rocky, green,

surrounded by sea shimmering in the sunlight

with paths embroidered with colorful flowers

crystal waters, traditional villages

... endless light and color.

What makes her unique is that is more than an island,

it's an idea, a symbol

Is identified with the notion of returning home and nostalgia.

symbolizes, man's struggle, overcoming difficulties, his return journey to his roots

No other island in the world has been identified with nostalgia as much as Ithaca

and that thanks to Homer

the greatest poet of antiquity, who with his epic Odyssey

praised the struggle of the king of Ithaca, Odysseus (Ulysses)

to return to his home

and highlighted universal values through his poetry

What secrets are hidden in Ithaca of today?

Is Ithaca of today the one which Homer speaks of?

and if so where are the remains of the kingdom of Odysseus?

The Search for Homer's Ithaca began centuries ago

Several opponents of Ithaca, Homer's Ithaca, argue that around the Middle Ages

Ithaca lost its name, and for that reason.. It is not Homer's Ithaca!

There are "Skylakas'" maps, the ones of a Roman cartographer,

there is also a map of the Catalan conquerors of Greece in 1300..

and on this map this island is called Ithaca.

around 1700-1600-1580 some maps call Ithaca with a different name,

Picola Cephalonia, Val di Compare,

Tiaki or Thiaki that we use today as a nickname.

This is not proof that Ithaca lost its name and for that reason it isn't Homer's Ithaca.

You realize that Ithaca carries a great glory!

a glory which was envied by many.

It was envied by the Lefkadians and the Cefalonians,

Certainly it wasn't the locals but some archaeologists who undertook the task of defending

a Lefkadian Homeric Ithaca such as Dorpfeld

and a Cefalonian Homeric Ithaca such as some other archaeologists,

who assume that the Homeric Ithaca is in Cefalonia but where in Cefalonia?

There are 10 controversial areas in Cefalonia

In my opinion the equation of 10 areas referring to the palace of Odysseus or the city of Ithaca

seems as if there is none.

The past 10 years there have been 5 Cefalonian theories referring to Homer's Ithaca

the latest the overseal, the capping stone that of Bittlestone

the big hoax as I call it.

Anyway that theory as we all know, although it received great publicity,

since then, has lapsed into obscurity, at the moment no longer exists.

Whilst the Lefkadias stayed in one theory that of Dorpfeld

which actually sank immediately after it was born

Dorpfeld imposed it because he was a strong archaeological personality

he imposed it only on his own will and his own dynamic.

But that theory immediately crashed.

Cefalonia and Lefkada but mainly Cefalonia

is 7 or 8 times bigger than Ithaca.

Is it possible for this large population, this naval, military and political power

to lose its name and a rock, one seventh of its expanse, to get it instead?

There is no historical precedent.

The existence of so many theories about Homer's Ithaca

proves that there are no compelling archaeological findings

allowing us to scientifically justify one or another.

Or maybe there are some finally available?

Ladies and gentlemen let's go to a sensational archaeological discovery

which will be discussed not only in Greece but throughout the world.

in Ithaca a team of archaeologists is announcing that, after significant recent findings

from the excavations on the island, it is convinced at last

to have found the Homeric Palace of Odysseus.

A new impetus for the identification of today's Ithaca with the Homeric one

was given with University of Ioannina announcement on August 20th 2010

according to which, during excavations in the area of St. Athanasius in Northern Ithaca

they found a Mansion of the Mycenaean era which seems to be the Palace of Odysseus.

I am really glad that as Mayor of Ithaca in 1993, I took the initiative

and invited Ioannina University to come and explore the area of Northern Ithaca

it was proven how right I was.

15 to 16 years later, the University with Mr. Papadopoulos and Mrs. Kontorli

they announce, in an archaeological conference..

that they have found the palace of Odysseus and Penelope, in this location of St. Athanasius.

I imagine that, to proceed in such a significant announcement, you have equally important findings in your hands.

Can you tell us what these are?

Yes, the area "Homer's School - St. Athanasius"

is surrounded by a cyclopean wall and inside this wall there is a building complex...

in two terraces, on two levels

also there are movable findings from the prehistoric, Mycenaean era and earlier

but the most important element that makes us believe

always with reservation because we need additional evidence

is a tripartite building which was found on the lower level

which has the dimensions of mansions of palaces

of the palaces that have been found in Mycenae, in Tiryns, in Pylos

It is obvious that such an important archaeological discovery would shoot down

all the theories which question whether current Ithaca is Homer's Ithaca

This significant announcement

this shocking announcement that changes the facts

the archaeological facts at least to date

and that the archaeological establishment will fight it

have no doubt, it will fight it because it has learned to do so

in every announcement related to new findings

Ithaca has been targeted at large

Being a small island it has been fought against

its glory has been fought against

and is still and will continue to be fought against

but I would like to believe that the opponents weapons have already been exhausted

Many excavated the site, including Schliemann

apparently sensing that there was something important there

We can say at the outset that this area "shouted, talked archaeologically"

and I really wonder why such great archaeologists who passed through here

did not detect its particularity

The area of St. Athanasius had almost been abandoned, for obviously too many reasons

they wanted to discredit it, the depreciation was in the background of those who..

were processing theories and plans or else for this particular area to be discredited

Before the archaeologists' interest turned to the area of St. Athanasius on the mountain of "Exogi",

there had been other areas in Ithaca with significant archaeological discoveries

The theory of Aetos (an area in southern Ithaca) lasted for many years

and it affected many, among which the great Schliemann

Schliemann was a partisan of Gell

They believed the first theory released in 1806, the theory of William Gell

which placed the palace of Ithaca in Aetos

The Englishman who predicted alongside Gell that Homer's Ithaca is not in Vathi

but it is in "Poli" in the region of Stavros - St. Athanasius

was another Englishman, a resourceful man, William Martin Luc

who came to Ithaca in '06, made small excavations and didn't find many things

But he found coins and at the time coins of Ithaca were considered..

to be the very conclusive evidence of Ithaca's Homeric past

One of the most important archaeological sites of Ithaca

is located in the region of "Polis" near the village of Stavros

This site is called "Poli" because inshore the village of Stavros..

there is an ancient submerged city

In the famous "Loizos" cave in Poli

have been found many significant archaeological discoveries

In this cave, have been discovered twelve bronze tripods

whose pieces are now exhibited at the archaeological museum of Stavros in Ithaca

a Corinthian dish has also been found, dedicated to the god Apollo

and so it can be deduced that it was a worshiping cavern in the name of Apollo

In this cave has also been discovered

the triangular shell made of clay that has two words written on it..

'EYXHN ODYCCEI' (With the wish of Odysseus)

It seems that the locals, as was customary in other regions of our country as well..

worshiped their hero as a demigod along with the god Apollo

It was proved to be the ark attesting Ithaca's history of the past 3000 years!

In 2006, during excavations by the Ioannina University, another important finding came to light

A plaque, eloquently narrating one of the episodes of the Odyssey

We also found plaques in linear writing, one of which may be Linear B

and this has been published in the prestigious journal "Cadmus" in Germany

If I'm not mistaken, Linear B is found only in palaces?

Certainly, in the archives of the palaces

we are not sure if that is Linear B, but hopefully we shall uncover other findings..

The plaque depicts a ship with Odysseus tied to the mast

and on either side monstrous drawings, a trident and signs of possibly Linear B writing

Considering the data that we currently have in Ithaca

we believe this position fits the Homeric description of the palace of Odysseus

I forgot to tell you that the two levels

the buildings, on the two levels are connected with stairways carved into the rock

Something also mentioned in the Odyssey namely that..

the occupants of the palace communicated going up and down stone stairways

It is mentioned several times in Homer that Penelope goes up and down

the same way that Eurycleia goes up and down

So a building construction is presented where for a staircase which goes up to exist

it means there is a lower terrace and an upper terrace as described in Homer

There is also a description, given by Telemachus to Eurycleia before his departure for Pylos

He tells her: "Eldress, go to the rock.. to the depot which is under the rock

and bring me wine and oil, to take with me

The announcement by the University of Ioannina archaeologists, brings us closer than ever

to the truth as to where Homer's Ithaca is located

The archaeologists, Papadopoulos couple

had accomplish something very important

the expropriation of the 25-acre-area of St. Athanasius

that was a really great accomplishment and it existed

as a demand by the residents of Ithaca since 1904

There is already a decision by the Central Archaeological Council

for these 25 acres of expropriated area

to demolish not only the church, this ruined residue that still exists

but also the houses of "Vrettos", the lord of the area

who played a very cunning role in this History of archeology in Ithaca

It is a known story, on top of the palace there is the temple

and on top of the temple there is the Orthodox Church

The area of St. Athanasius appears to meet all of those features described by Homer

And there are so many answers that they cannot all be coincidences

The position of St. Athanasius is a geostrategic one that happens to have what it has on it

It strategically covers the passage towards the west

If the palace is here, there are three ports around the palace

A port in the town of Stavros, which is further away from here

which must have been the public port from which Telemachus left for Pylos

The port of Afales which is in the north and is their own port, the royal port

And the third port is the port of Frikes, which is the port of the furrow (rithro)

The village above the harbor of the furrow (rithro) is called Platythreias

Platy rithro (wide furrow) They all tie together

Some researchers have claimed that in Ithaca

a palace could not have flourished due to its lack of water

Besides the fact that around "St Athanasius" and within the site there are plenty of wells

ancient wells, Mycenaean wells

there are two water sources

"Melanydros source" and "Tykti krini" mentioned in Homer

Firstly, neither a palace nor a town could have been built away from water

there had to be plenty of water for the palace and the town, the "asti"

Well a little further away from here there is a great water source

"Kalamos" as we call it today that could supply water throughout the region at the time.

"Melampso" was one of Penelope handmaidens

at some point tells to Odysseus "Go away, go to sleep at the coppersmith's"

The archaeologists dig out a coppersmith's workshop at St Athanasius

In Mycenaean era a coppersmith's workshop was a Palace's annex

That was the case in Pylos, in Mycenae and in Crete

It is a very strong indication, characteristic archaeological proof

These archaeological findings already constitute considerable indications

that Odysseus once walked in today's Ithaca

A reinforcing element other than this tripartite building-palace

is an artificial, "tykti" as it's called, a Mycenaean fountain

which we did not date ourselves, but was dated by the best specialist globally

professor Jost Knaus from the Technical University of Munich

who dated it to the 13th century BC, namely in the time of Homer's Odysseus

These two elements, "tykti krini" and the mansion

this tripartite building which resembles similar ones found in Pylos, in Mycenae and in Tiryns

make us believe, I repeat with reservation

that this position is the one that fits the description of Homer

and we think that until someone else proves otherwise

that there has to be the palace of Odysseus

for which many laudable efforts have been made before

The area of St. Athanasius deserves everyone's undivided attention

but mainly that of the State and the scientific community

Therefore, this announcement is the best news..

the international community and the world has heard originating from Greece

the most pleasant news from Greece

All other news is about wretchedness, misery, bankruptcy, etc

This piece of news coming from a Greek university and from Greek archaeologists

has not been sufficiently exploited by the Greek state

Only through a systematic continuation of the excavations

will this place be able to pull from within its well kept secrets and reveal Homer's Ithaca

.. Until then, we shall continue our journey to Ithaca

and we shall feel rich for what it has offered to us so far

When you set out on your journey to Ithaca

pray that the road is long

full of adventure, full of knowledge.

The Lestrygonians and the Cyclops

the angry Poseidon -- do not fear them

You will never find such as these on your path

if your thoughts remain lofty, if a fine

emotion touches your spirit and your body

The Lestrygonians and the Cyclops

the fierce Poseidon you will never encounter

if you do not carry them within your soul

if your soul does not set them up before you

Pray that the road is long

That the summer mornings are many, when

with such pleasure, with such joy

you will enter ports seen for the first time