11-05-2013 17:37

Cadmus is the legendary founder of the city of Thebes in Boeotia and has been accredited with the introduction of the Phoenician Alphabet to the ancient Greeks. Kadmos is a descendant of the noble family of the Inachids, son of Agenor, cousin to Danaos of Argos and brother to Cilix, Phoenix and Europa.

Kadmos was born in Libya, but as soon as his sister Europa was abducted by Zeus, Cadmos and his brothers were ordered by their father on her quest, being told not to return home until they had found her.

Kilix stayed at the southeastern part of Asia Minor, known thereafter as Cilicia (Kilikia). Phoinix settled in Phoenicia in North Africa. Kadmos set off with his brother Thassos and their mother Telephassa and it is said that the three of them were initiated in the Kabeiria in Samothrace. Telephassa died at some point of the quest and Thassos decided to give up and settled on the island off the Thracian coast that bear his name ever since.

Kadmos decided to consult the Delphic oracle about the location of his sister. He was told that he should not search for Europa no further, but he should follow a cow until it sank down exhausted on its right flank. At this spot he should found a new city. Kadmos did as he was told and after reaching his goal he would sacrifice the cow to the gods. To perform the ritual, he needed some water, so he sent some of his companions. The spring was sacred to Ares, god of war and was guarded by a fearsome dragon that killed all of Kadmos’ companions.

On receiving the news, Cadmus set off to kill the dragon and stabbed it. Following the advice given by Athena, Kadmos collected the teeth of the dragon and sowed them in the ground. Out of them five armed men sprang up, named Spartoi (Sown Men) who found the families of the military caste of the new city and before founding the city Kadmos had to serve Ares for a year.

After his servitude, Ares was reconciled with Kadmos and Zeus gave him Harmonia as a wife, daughter of Ares and Aphrodite. Their wedding was much celebrated on Kadmeia, the citadel of Thebes, with all the Olympian gods descending from heaven to attend it, but they were destined to suffer many sorrows from their children.

Kadmos and Harmonia had a son, Polydoros, and four daughters, Ino, Semele, Agave and Autonoe. Polydoros was the founder of the future Labdakid dynasty, the family of Oedipus. Semele who had an affair with Zeus, was destructed by her own demand as she asked Zeus to visit her in his original divine form, while she was pregnant with his son Dionysos. She perished by his glory while Zeus managed to rescue the unborn child and sew it into his thigh until it was time for him to be born. Ino was driven by divine madness by Hera for having nursed infant Dionysos. Agave was incited by Dionysos to tear her son to pieces in order to punish him for not acknowledging his divinity. Autonoe gave birth to Aktaion, who died in horrifying circumstances.

Toward the end of their life, Kadmos and Harmonia left Thebes to live in exile in Illyria and is said to have been granted the privilege of living in the Elysian Fields, and after death Paradise for ancient Greeks.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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...