sofia.greek Posted October 3, 2007 Report Share Posted October 3, 2007 The diolkos was a paved trackway across the Isthmus of Corinth, over which ships could be hauled overland between the Gulf of Corinth and the Saronic Gulf, to save them sailing around the Peloponnese. First built probably by Periander around 600 b.c., it is mentioned by Thucydides as something granted, thus already ancient. After Actium in 31 B.C. Octavian shipped warships across the Diolkos to pursue Antony and Cleopatra to Asia and then Egypt. Although unique in its kind and rich in history, the Diolkos has never been protected since the time of excavation (~1960), progressively crumbling into the water at its western end. In an effort to save and restore the defenceless structure, we have created an international petition at www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/870477005 We invite you to sign and help preserve this historical monument. Sofia Loverdou – freelance science journalist Yiannis Balafoutas – Retired teacher, writer More information and images in ENGLISH, at www.greece.org:8080/opencms/opencms/HEC_Projects/DIOLKOS/ Images and comments in GREEK, at www.greekarchitects.gr/index.php?maincat=8&newid=890 (2 pages) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dinozavrik Posted October 3, 2007 Report Share Posted October 3, 2007 already did Quote Link to post Share on other sites
sofia.greek Posted October 5, 2007 Author Report Share Posted October 5, 2007 (edited) Thanks to all the armenian friends that sign !!! Some friends are asking various questions about the Ancient Diolkos petition. I guess a lot of you reading about Diolkos are wondering about the same things, so I give some explanations here. FUNDS Signing the petition does not mean asking the Greek State to give money that it presumably cannot afford for the monument. The protection and restoration of Diolkos should have been presented for funding (with EU contribution or other similar projects) LONG AGO. Unfortunately, by not having even the most elementary information about the monument, the services in charge were KEEPING THEMSELVES UNPREPARED even to ASK for funding… WHY SPEAK... The monument is not a piece of property OWNED by someone free to destroy it. Unfortunately, this is what has happened up to now. This petition says that we want this to stop. The Diolkos is a common heritage of mankind (as many other monuments and sites all over the world). IS THE PETITION JUST A PLEA? No, it is more dynamic that that. The Prime Minister's Office is being often notified about the progress and knows that many people from many countries know of the problem. Consequently, the Diolkos cannot be left to decay in silence (as was the situation up to now). INFORMATION GIVEN The information given at the petition site cannot cover 45 years of neglect and destruction. It would be too long (and maybe also very shocking). If anybody feels like having more information, I will be glad to provide information or documentation... Edited October 5, 2007 by sofia.greek Quote Link to post Share on other sites
sofia.greek Posted October 9, 2007 Author Report Share Posted October 9, 2007 Up to now, people from 78 countries have signed the Diolkos petition. The countries are: Greece, Cyprus, Italy, Spain, United Kingdom, USA, Canada, Australia, Germany, Netherlands, France, Luxemburg, Malta, Monaco, Portugal, Brazil, Switzerland, Denmark, Finland, Austria, Poland, Ireland, Iceland, Belgium, Norway, Sweden, Hungary, Russia, Georgia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Czech Republic, Estonia, Lithuania, Romania, Bulgaria, Albania, Serbia & Montenegro, Turkey, Israel, Japan, Repubic of Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Hong Kong, China, Taiwan, Macao, South Africa, Liberia, Togo, Nigeria, Bahamas, New Zealand, Fiji, Mexico, Trinidad and Tobago, Chile, Panama, Ecuador, Colombia, Argentina, Venezuela, Guatemala, Maldives, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Seychelles, Iran, Iraq, United Arab Emirates, Algeria, Jordan, Lebanon, Egypt, Palestine.. Armenia is not on this list because, although many people with armenian origin have signed, there are not any signatures from Armenians living in Armenia... If any friend living in Armenian would care to sign, I would be grateful. Signatures from as many countries as possible are an unmistakable "message" towards the authorities that have let the destruction of Diolkos go on... The site, again, is www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/870477005 Thanks for your support! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
sofia.greek Posted October 9, 2007 Author Report Share Posted October 9, 2007 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
sofia.greek Posted October 17, 2007 Author Report Share Posted October 17, 2007 Yesterday the most popular portal in Greece, in.gr, presented the Diolkos case. It is a good thing to see the veil of silence about Diolkos begin to fall and a kind of "greek tradegy", complete with an innocent victim, slowly come to light... For those interested, the link (in greek ) is at: www.in.gr/Reviews/imagegallery.asp?lngReviewID=1667&lngChapterID=16500&lngItemID=57977 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dinozavrik Posted October 18, 2007 Report Share Posted October 18, 2007 Yesterday the most popular portal in Greece, in.gr, presented the Diolkos case. It is a good thing to see the veil of silence about Diolkos begin to fall and a kind of "greek tradegy", complete with an innocent victim, slowly come to light... For those interested, the link (in greek ) is at: www.in.gr/Reviews/imagegallery.asp?lngReviewID=1667&lngChapterID=16500&lngItemID=57977 Thank you Sofia jan, I will definitly read the article. Keep us posted. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
sofia.greek Posted November 3, 2007 Author Report Share Posted November 3, 2007 (edited) Unfortunately the damage of Diolkos is going on. One more ancient block - the second this year - fell rom the monument during the last weeks. Although at the beginning of September the Central Archaeological Council supposedly called for immediate temporary protection measures), relevant services remain largely inactive; even the exchange of letters seems to be going at a snail' s speed, creating a picture of mindboggling inability... The long festival of hypocrisy and illegality that has determined the monument's deterioration is at last becoming known to a wide public. See for example two more articles presented by greek portals. The first is in greek and the second in english... www.hotstation.gr/article-1480--0-0.html www.huts.gr/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=35 Edited November 3, 2007 by sofia.greek Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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