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Old 05-15-2007, 01:58 AM   #12
Yann Golanski
 
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Dojo: York Shodokan Aikido
Location: York, United Kingdom.
Join Date: Aug 2003
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Re: Greece and Aikido.

Quote:
Antonis Paps wrote: View Post
Instead of "this is sparta" i would prefer if you shouted:

Ὦ ξεῖν', ἀγγέλλειν Λακεδαιμονίοις ὅτι τῇδε
κείμεθα, τοῖς κείνων ῥήμασι πειθόμενοι.

O xein', angellein Lakedaimoniois hoti têde
keimetha tois keinôn rhêmasi peithomenoi

Go tell the Spartans, stranger passing by
that here, obedient to their law, we lie.
Indeed. It just happens to be one of my favourite bit of history ever.

Still, my favourite quote is the exchange between the Persian herald and a Spartan:

Persian: "Our archers are so mumerous that their arrows will blot out the sun!"
Spartan: "Then, we will fight in the shade."

I like lakonic saying... Oh wait, where does that word come from?... Sparta.

Quote:
Antonis Paps wrote: View Post
Also you will find Herodotus very interesting to read
although many information maybe hard for many to believe
it is though out reading and your perception (of sense and understanding) that you should create your own opinion.
Others may say a lot.. some maybe true and some..not.

have a nice trip and if you what any more info dont hesitate to ask
Thanks!

Of course, it is hard for modern readers to understand Herodotus and most ancient as things have change so much. Caesar never bothered to describe which strata of society his centurions came from because that would be common knowledge at the time. Shame that we don't know 2000 years later!

More people should read classics...

The people who understand, understand prefectly.
yann@york-aikido.org York Shodokan Aikido
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