-
News
Greek Personalities
-
Aristophanes: The man of the lampoon and the ancient comedy
03-02-2013 10:51Aristophanes is considered the greatest writer of Greek comedy. 11 of his plays have been survived and show the highly political nature of Aristofanes art, with comic invention and characterization to current events, as of the Peloponnesian War.
He was born circa 450 B.C. in Athens, in the township of Cydathenae, son of Philippus and Zenodora. His father was a landowner in Aegina, an island of Argosaronikos near Athens, and this gave the young play writer a certain status. But it was his original talent in comedy that gave him the great applause for his first play, when he was still a teenager.
Aristophanes made in his plays an extensive use of broad political satire, comedy farce and use of costume, mask, music and dance. The Age of Pericles allowed the comedians great license and freedom for political talk, a fact that gave Aristophanes a pattern of putting his creativity into work.
Aristophanes often caricatured leading figures of his times like the great dramatist Euripides and the philosopher Socrates, implying his own conservative ideas over society.
In his first play that has survived, The Acharnians, Aristophanes introduces the antiwar theme for the first time in history. War is the main theme also for Lysistrata takes its name from the feminist protagonist, who decides that women can put an end to the war as he shows in his work Peace as well, suggesting that Athens should accept the Spartan peace.
In Nephelai (Clouds), the main target of his satire is the philosopher Socrates, in Hippeis (Knights) the tyrant Cleon, Athenians’ love for litigation in Sphekes (Wasps), Aeschylus and Dionysus in Batrachoi (Frogs).
Ornithes (The Birds) is the play containing some of the greatest lyric poetry of Aristophanes and describes the utopian theory that humankind should live in a simpler kingdom. In the Thesmophoriazusae criticise Euripides, the tragedian and in the Ekklesiazousai criticises in advance the form of communism produced by his characters in the play. In his play Ploutos (Wealth) Aristophanes puts blind Ploutos to be given his sight back to see that wealth belongs to those who can sanely use it.
Centuries later, the plays of Aristophanes keep exerting considerable influence on satire and comedy of nowadays, and his plays are among the repertoire of great comedians.
-
Top bews!
Aktaion - Writing gastronomic history since 1922
Like a relay race of three generations; a journey with happy days, sad days, joys, sorrows, wars, Occupation, poverty, hunger, deaths, volcanic eruptions, catastrophic earthquakes, flee for a better life, return, better days, feasts, tourism explosion, financial crises and so on… Everything has been indelibly inscribed on the walls of this small building, Aktaion. I feel grateful that life has given me the opportunity to hold the reins of Aktaion all the way to its centennial.
Santorini has a secret... but we have to share it.
It opened in 2004 and soon became one of the favourite dining spots in Santorini. It is called Metaxy mas which means.. between us, but it is not a secret any more that this restaurant has a rich menu with almost 40 different dishes and appetizers based on traditional Greek cuisine.
Parea Restaurant: a beautiful terrace for the perfect dinner.
We have been choosing Parea Tavern for our meals and dinners for 14 years! Every time someone from Touristorama travels to the island of Santorini, he enjoys authentic Greek cuisine at the terrace of this restaurant in the heart of Fira. And we are not the only ones. Thousands of tourists include it among their favorites on the volcanic island.
We found the best scandinavian bar in Naxos!
Touristorama has been travelling all around Greece and its islands for over a decade. This year, during our trip to Naxos, the biggest of the Cyclades complex, we discovered an interesting spot, perfect for your night out on the island… which is what we do best: finding the best places and then propose you should visit them! Prime is a Scandinavian Bar, located on a privileged position in Chora of Naxos, opposite the port. It’s been operating for 21 years and enjoys a great fame to both foreign and local tourists.
Privacy on the vivid island of Santorini? Yes, you can have it!
Explore the fascinating volcanic island of Santorini the way you want it yourself! Enjoy a unique accommodation experience, with huge doses of privacy and luxury by choosing to stay in Incognito Villa.
Something old, something new.... Marmita combines them both!
The Marmita Restaurant is now a part of the history of Santorini, since it has been operating in Megalochori since 2004. From 2013 it s been running under the observation of new owner Giannis Manikas and the sense of renewal is obvious.
-
Relative articles
Astakas restaurant and the Statue of Poseidon in Milos.
The statue of Poseidon, made of Parian marble, was found in 1877 on Milos island, along with a statue of his mate, Amphitrite. The larger than life-size statue depicts the god almost nude, wearing a himation...
Hellenic Parliament House
The building that now houses the Hellenic Parliament is the Old Royal Palace, the former royal palace in Athens. The Parliament House is located in the heart of Athens, it faces onto the Syntagma Square...
Monuments and Museums in Kilkis
The visitor of Kilkis region in Macedonia has many things to see, as the place is full of museums and monuments. Take a look at the most interesting...
Mycenae, Peloponnese
Mycenae is a city of great significance in Greek history that named the Mycenaean Civilization that flourished here in the late Bronze Age around 1600–1200 BC. The palace of Mycenae, known in legend...
