I first fell in love with ancient Greek history way back in my high school days when my class had to read The Odyssey. I have been wanting to make this trip to Greece ever since. I am now at a point in my life where I can actually make this dream into a reality. I have to laugh at myself because this trip will be a pilgrimage for me, similar to a Muslim going to Mecca, or a Christian visiting the Holy Lands. I guess I'm just a pagan at heart!! Anyhow, the Mythological Atlas Of Ancient Greece should prove useful in helping me in my trip between Thessaloniki and Athens, and then again in Crete. I was very frustrated trying to locate travel books that concentrated strictly on ancient sites. There really aren't any that I could locate. It seems that you cannot throw a stone in Greece without hitting something ancient. The world deserves a guide book that will show the famous as well as the obscure ancient sites in Greece (and surrounding countries). Why not create a guide book dedicated exclusively to sites associated with the Peloponnesian War? Or the Persian Wars?

   I also admit that I am a bit perplexed at how certain ancient historical sites within Greece just don't seem to be given the recognition that they deserve. A case in point: The Battle of Salamis. This was such a pivotal moment in world history, and yet what is there today for the visitor to see? If Salamis were in America, there would be a state of the art, multi-media visitor center right along the shore where the action took place. There would be a drive up to the overlook where Xerxes witnessed the destruction of the Persian fleet. The whole area would be part of a national park, or a world heritage site. The same holds true for ThermopyIae. I find this very odd. I mentioned Aulis. Here is the location where the Achaeans set sail for Troy, and where Agamemnon sacrificed his daughter Iphigenia at the Temple of Artemis. What is there today? The ruins of the temple surrounded by a cement factory and some railroad tracks! Why isn't this a major attraction in Greece??? It is too bad I do not possess the wealth of Bill Gates (or King Croesus). I would recreate an ancient Greek city, sort of along the lines of Colonial Williamsburg or Plymouth Plantation here in the states, where visitors could interact with "locals". It would be a natural tourist attraction. It would have to be a high quality attraction with reconstructed temples, agora, theater, etc.. Nothing tacky. I've been researching Thebes, and again, I'm baffled. Why would a city so famous, with so much history (both real and mythological) not be exploiting it more? If I had the resources, I would erect a life size statue of Oedipus encountering the sphinx outside one of the famous gates. Everybody has heard of Oedipus. I am sure that even the Trafalgar Tour buses would begin making stops if the right attractions were created there. There should be a world class museum devoted to the legend of Oedipus and his clan, as well as the history of Thebes. After all, it was the Thebans who whooped the mighty Spartans and dominated Greece, well, at least until those pesky Macedonians stopped by for a visit! My point is that Greece seems proud of their ancient past, but they don't take advantage of it. Why is that? Is it because Greece just isn't a wealthy nation, or does it have to do more with the Greek Orthodox Church not wanting to focus too much attention on the pagan past?

   Also, I just finished reading a book on my Amazon Kindle that may be of interest to you, if you are not already aware of it. It is entitled Oedipus On A Pale Horse: Journey Through Greece In Search Of A Personal Mythology by David Sheppard. It is the story of a divorced man who recently lost his job with NASA. His life is in shambles. He is tormented by events from his past. So he does what any of us would do. He takes a three month trip through Greece and Turkey, visiting many of the ancient sites. He connects events in his life to those from Greek mythology. I really enjoyed this book, especially since many of the places that the author visited are the same places where I will be heading to.