April 4th 1968. Martin Luther King, Jr was shot and killed.
New York’s senator Robert Kennedy, wanted to deliver the devastating news to the people of Indianapolis.
In his improvised speech, he informed the gathered crowd of the assassination, adding:
‘… But we have to make an effort in the United States, we have to make an effort to understand, to get beyond these rather difficult times.
My favorite poet was Aeschylus. He once wrote: “Even in our sleep, pain which cannot forget falls drop by drop upon the heart, until, in our own despair, against our will, comes wisdom through the awful grace of God.”
What we need in the United States is not division; what we need in the United States is not hatred; what we need in the United States is not violence and lawlessness, but is love and wisdom, and compassion toward one another, and a feeling of justice toward those who still suffer within our country, whether they be white or whether they be black’.
The foundation of Athens’ power was her formidable navy. While most other Greek city-states could only afford a couple of dozen triremes, the Athenian Navy could deploy more than 200 triremes (!)
We’re lucky enough to have full catalogs of names of warships of the Navy of Ancient Athens. Check out some of my favorite trireme names.
Also… keep in mind those were warships! Isn’t it a bit odd to give a cute name to an instrument of war? Think about it.
The goddess of quarrel and strife was Eris. She was sister and companion of murderous Ares, the Greek god of war and daughter of Nyx (Night). Unhappy and displeased that she was not invited to the wedding ceremony of Peleus (the king of the island of Aegina) and Thetis (the sea-nymph), Eris felt pushed aside and soon came up with a cunning plan in revenge for not being invited
Eris. Attic plate, ca. 575–525 BC (Berlin Antikensammlung)
The feast was attended by most of the Olympian Gods. Eris’ idea was to ‘forget’ a golden apple in the great banquet. That apple carried an inscription: “TO THE FAIREST” (ΤΗ ΚΑΛΛΙΣΤΗΙ). Eris knew that her shiny apple would quickly draw attention.
Yes, that was all she had to do. Soon, three goddesses at the wedding were fascinated by the golden apple and wanted it for themselves. Aphrodite, Athena and Hera immediately competed for it. They asked the other Greek Gods who should own it, but they proved smart and they chose not to interfere. They immediately smelled trouble. What was the point? If they chose one, then the other two goddesses would probably hold this against them. It sure was a hard call so the Gods agreed that Paris, being the most handsome mortal, should be the judge.
Walter Crane – The Judgement of Paris (watercolor on paper, 1909)
Everyone was happy with this solution and the gods were very pleased. Paris had a difficult task laying ahead. Athena, Hera and Aphrodite stripped naked in front of Paris and each goddess offered him an appealing gift trying to win his decision.
Athena tried to tempt him offering infinite wisdom.
Hera promised him absolute power over great kingdoms.
Aphrodite offered him the love of the most beautiful woman on earth, Helen.
Deal-maker! Paris made his choice
As you know, Paris gave the golden apple tot he Goddess of Love, Aphrodite. Spoiler alert: This decision would soon lead to the outbreak of one of the most famous wars ever, the Trojan War… And the fall of Troy would later lead to the foundation of Rome!
