22/04/2024
Sparta is far from the only ancient site worth visiting in the south eastern Peloponnese. In that incredibly atmospheric region, ever in the shadow of the snow-capped Taygetus mountains, near innumerable ancient citadels and tombs are to be found.
Mostly forgotten today, coated in trees and little visited, a whole plethora of once mighty settlements lie silent. Just as they have been for thousands of years. Some date to the classical era, but more often than not they are far older. Like Amyclae, Paleopyrgi and Vaphio pictured here, dating all the way back to the Bronze Age. That mythical era of chariot lords and bardic storytelling tradition. Of glittering gold and cyclopean masonry.
This summer I’ll be telling the entire story of Mycenaean Greece, focusing not just on the history you may have heard before but on a huge range of lesser known archaeological sites you may never have heard of but are just as fascinating as the big ones like Mycenae and Tiryns. I’ve gone full Dan Carlin on it, been working on it for years, and it may be around 5 hours+ long. In the mean time I hope you’re enjoying my recent film on Karahan Tepe. It’s available to watch now over on YouTube. Have a great day and let me know what you think!
All the best,
Pete
📷 credit to my beautiful wife.
