Maybe you bots are getting just a little weary
of all those shots from Loutraki
looking across the Gulf towards the city of Corinth
that I've been posting these last many months.
Well, then, calm yourselves
because here I am in Corinth
and the view is back the other way.....
across the Gulf towards Loutraki!
Can you guess who are those fine specimens behind me?
Yup, you guessed it!
That's the old Cynic, Diogenes
(who lived in a barrel LOL)
image: en.wikipedia.org
telling the pompous young Alexander the Great
.jpg)
image: en.wikipedia.org
to get the f*** out of the way
and quit blocking his f'ing sunshine!
Some of the interesting things I've learned since having my interest piqued yesterday when I discovered this memorial of the famous meeting between Diogenes and Alexander, in Corinth, so many centuries ago:
- as a young man, Diogenes worked for his father, Hicesias who was a bank(st)er
- the two of them got busted for debasing the coinage (adding more and more base metal
to the silver denarius coin was probably one of the major contributing factors
to the fall of the Roman civilization some centuries later) - apparently the shock of his fall in stature was enough to goose the young Diogenes
into a much more philosophical lifestyle. He became probably the first of the "Cynics" - Diogenes spent time as a general "pain in the ass" on the Athens philosophy scene,
harassing other established philosophers such as Plato and Socrates - he became known for eschewing pleasure, eating and drinking wherever he chose
(such as in the marketplace where it was taboo), and masturbating in public. - he also became known for stunts, one of which ws to carry a lamp around with him
in the daytime and saying he was "looking for an honest man"
image: en.wikipedia.org
- later, Diogenes was captured by pirates, sold into slavery, and ended
up in Corinth (across the gulf from me LOL) - when Alexander the Great stopped in Corinth on his way
to conquering the world, he asked to meet the famous cynic Diogenes - Alexander reportedly asked Diogenes if there was anything he could do for him.
Diogenes responded that he could step aside and quit blocking his sunshine! - Alexander is reported to then have said to his followers:
"If I were not Alexander, then I should wish to be Diogenes."
Diogenes Sheltering in his Barrel
by John William Waterhouse
ouzo and out,
@onceuponatime
(who, if he were not onceuponatime, would surely wish to be @twiceuponatime)
Ο Αλέξανδρος δεν θα μπορούσε να γίνει ποτέ Διογένης γιατί ο Διογένης δεν ήταν κατακτητής άλλα δάσκαλος δεν φοβόταν τίποτε αφού είχε ξεπεράσει τον εγωισμό του να θέλει να δείχνει πως είναι κάποιος μεγάλος άνδρας.
Αυτό έκανε τον Διογένη έναν υπέροχο δάσκαλο.
Χαίρομε που αναφέρεστε στο Διογένη , διότι είναι ο αγαπημένος μου και είναι από αυτούς που δεν άφησαν γραπτό λόγο αλλά αναφέρετε μέσα από τα γραπτά άλλων .
Alexander could never have been Diogenis because Diogenes was not a conqueror, but a teacher.
He was not afraid of anything since he had overcome his selfishness.
That is what makes Diogenes a wonderful teacher.
I really like that you mention Diogenis because he is one of my favorites and he haven't left any written material but we know him by mentions of others .
I guess that it is really hard to know what he actually taught since we weren't there and we no longer have any of his own writings. I suspect that he was what they call in the East a "crazy wisdom" guru.
It's true, but from what we know while he was selling himself as a slave to rich people for heavy duty jobs, he was becoming a teacher and advisor of their kids and families. When he was feeling bored or feeling that his purpose there have ended, he was leaving and start looking for a new "boss" by selling himself as a slave again.He never had a "Boss" and that means, my personal opinion, that he was deeply connected with God and existence.
Nice to see you! Its the first time for me!!
Thanks for supporting me too @onceuponatime.
~ @bluerocktalk🖖
Thanks for dropping by. I am a fan!
I will @onceuponatime! Thanks for being a fan and supporting me! Are you a Blue Rocker?
https://www.youtube.com/c/BlueRockTalkwithConnieWillis
~ @bluerocktalk🖖
Am I a Blue Rocker? Actually I've never checked to see what color my rocks are :-)
I never heard that story before, but it is a damn fine one.
well you are the Alexander of you own life :)
That I am! But I have still conquered only a portion of my inner world. Much territory to go!
There is even a disease named after him, "Diogenes syndrome" which is an extreme level of self neglect, social withdrawal, apathy and lack of shame! 😁 This is a nice article. Thank you for sharing..
:There is even a disease named after him, "Diogenes syndrome""
I know, eh. I've got it bad.
Ha ha haaa! It can be treated. Only if you want!
That's OK, I'm used to it :-)
I hope you have spent some really great moments. Keep it up @onceuponatime.
U Looks like a gentle man :) in the whole post 😊😊
@onceuponatime
Dont mind have a look on news paper i have edited for you
https://steemit.com/newspaper/@bitcoinist/on-greek-historic-day-publication-of-onceuponatime
haha
Actually, I did not know about Diogenes so thank you for telling me more. In my opinion, he was a badass for sure!
Look what I found on 9gag:
Cool!
@onceuponatime,
"If I were not Alexander, then I should wish to be Diogenes."What a great story. The world got different types of men and here today I heard the story of freedom of a man!
When I started reading the article I didn't understand
quit blocking my sunshineBut now I got it! Thank you very much for sharing such a great story and you were at the place that great meet up! For me it's remarkable!
Cheers~
Thank you for reading and taking the time to understand!
@onceuponatime,
Did you learn poetry before? Sometimes I feel your articles are kind of poetry! Anyway I do read, and process before I start my comment :D Hate to be a spammer :D
Cheers~
Great moments you spent.. Alexander has nothing to teach you: he was a cruel, violent egomaniac. You can learn things about how to plan and improvise a battle from his battles, including perseverance (e.g. look at the battle of Tyre). You can learn things about how to lead warriors in repeated battles by force of example (he fought at the front with his soldiers). These aren't the types of lessons useful to anyone other than military historians and, to a lessor extent (since warfare has changed substantially) modern generals. He is hardly a a role model to us but instead proof of vaingloriousness and lack of respect for other humans (he killed his best friend in a drunken rage).
Diogenes is a different case. He viewed himself as above states (like Mos Def apparently), was happy sleeping in a jar, and had no problems criticizing both Alexander and Plato. He was an iconoclast and true to himself. I wouldn't suggest sleeping in a jar, but suspect we all could learn to be more suspicious of authority figures (say, Donald Trump). He disavowed caring about death, got rid of his only bowl when he say a poor boy drinking using his hands, and sounds like a royal pain in the butt to be around, but had a refreshingly simple and honest lifestyle that no one but Indian holy men probably could manage.
That is certainly not true! Actually you can learn a lot of things, but I will mention what was more important for me.
On his death bed, Alexander summoned his generals and told them his three ultimate wishes:
One of his generals who was surprised by these unusual requests asked Alexander to explain.
Here is what Alexander the Great had to say:
Just because Alexander the Great was probably a sociopath doesn't mean that we should not remember him and his achievements. What is admired in a person has varied considerably through the ages and we should not judge the past by the values and morals of today.
"What is admired in a person has varied considerably through the ages and we should not judge the past by the values and morals of today."
That's Wisdom right there!! I am horrified at the tendency today, in the news, academia, films, this PC nonsense where historical figures are held up to today's standards and norms. The arrogance is repulsive. What makes these Puritans so sure that future generations will not do the same to them?
There we go! Alexander and the Donald are misunderstood geniuses :-)
Lord Acton covered this well in his oft repeated quote: "Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Great men are almost always bad men." That covers the Alexanders and Caesars of the past, and the Left, Right, and everything in-between of today. We will always have tyrants as long as half the people support Right wing tyrants, and half support Left wing ones. Abraham Lincoln was considered a tyrant by many Americans in his day, only to be lionized and deified later. Same with FDR. Reagan has been sanitized by the historians, just as George W. Bush, the butcher of Iraq has been. They're all monsters. Partisan politics feeds them.
I withdrew my "consent to be governed" from without long ago :-)
My Ruler is my Conscience which I access by going within. I believe my Conscience to be informed by my Creator.
There is nothing more conducive to Liberty than an honest man with a conscience; one who thinks for himself, and resists the herd instinct. Enjoy your travels and stay safe!
I followed you today based on your refreshing outlook, and the Diogenes post. I inherited this pen and ink of Diogenes in his “barrel” from a great-uncle. Done in 1917, its a copy of the Gerome painting.
Fabulous!
Thanks, I think so too.
Why does everyone pick on Donald Trump?
Because he's vulgar and incompetent. Because he's misogynistic, materialistic and short-sighted.
Because he is corrupt and actively encourages nepotism. Because, he's thin-skinned, vain and vindictive. Because, he promotes hatred of immigrants and Muslims and is dividing the US, dangerously, while picking fights with the rest of the world.
And, yet, he might just well be the wake up call we needed:
https://steemit.com/story/@yahialababidi/our-wounds-are-peepholes-to-see-the-world-wound-a-plea-for-global-citizenship
Wow, have you ever been programmed! But I guess it's relaxing to never have to think for yourself.
Hook, line, and sinker.
I’m sorry I had to unfollow you, especially as I admire Greece’s generosity in receiving refugees and their noble, ancient philosophy.
Can you imagine a truly independent thinker, like Diogenes, defending the likes of Trump?
Do you not see the irony that in a post like this you do not understand ‘why everyone is picking on DT?
Because He’s Blocking Our Light!
I have seen interviews with college students in America asking them what they thought of a list of proposals in Bernie Sander's economic package. They all replied that they thought it was "wonderful".
They were then told that they were actually proposals taken from Trump's economic package. LOL
My point is not that Trump is great, or even good. My point is that you have been programmed just like those students in the interview.
Thank you for unfollowing me. I do not enjoy conversing with bots or humans with programmed opinions.
Touche' onceuponatime!!
I’m not a college student, I’m an author of 7 books and, as an immigrant and Muslim living in the Divided States of America, an activist & concerned world citizen.
I urge you to read my personal essay, below, on our wounded world and tell me if you still think I’m programmed:
https://steemit.com/story/@yahialababidi/our-wounds-are-peepholes-to-see-the-world-wound-a-plea-for-global-citizenship
Thank you,
Yahia
@yahialabadidi
Your rant is unoriginal, required no thought, and could have been copied and pasted from a thousand different articles in a hundred different languages. For such a spiritual person you sure carry a lot of hate brother. The spiritual man transcends, the petty man descends......into the cacophony of the zeitgeist.
Nice historical article. I got to learn from it.
By the way nice picture. I would love to see more from you. Thanks for making us learn something.
Resteemed :)
Greece, a Striking ancient country. The cradle of our entire civilization. So many cultural heritage in it: philosophers, scientists, great architecture, and of course the extraordinary beautiful nature. I'm a little jealous of you that you can enjoy these views every day.
I'm jealous of me too :-)
Nice part of history. Especially this part “Alexander reportedly asked Diogenes if there was anything he could do for him.
Diogenes responded that he could step aside and quit blocking his sunshine!”
You didn't like the "masturbating in public" part?
Yea, of course, how couldn’t I. That I guess was kind of normal for him. Not that I’m advocating for him, but that’s what made people like him different and unique. These people just don’t care what others think. I’m sure you can find people like him today as well, I mean the masturbating part.
...pretend they don't care
I don’t think these people pretend, I actually realy think that’s who they are. They think differently than average Joe. That’s what makes them different. Manny successful people are kind of weird or different and that’s the reason why they are successful.
A great story. It's good that I did not teach history at school well. Now I learn a lot for myself. So I already knew it :)
A new history i got in my life because of you. I really love to be here on your profile. LOVE Respect for you :)
You are a gentleman between those two specimens ;)
Ahhhhh, I bet you say that to all the guys. :-)
Not really, only to those who catch my attention ;)
Need to say that the weather looks amazing! My hometown is always filled with grey clouds and a lot of rain. But since I came back from a 2 months trip, the sun came out and it gives so much energy. I can see you have a lot of fun and learning about the greek history... thanks for sharing!
Thanks for stopping by!
You always put a lot of effort into your posts and I like the fact how you wrote about the greek history just because you visited this beautiful attraction...
me and history are not best friends bro but still read that though got to take a chill pill
You and history had best become best of friends or you are condemned to repeat it :-)
“Those who don't know history are doomed to repeat it.”
― Edmund Burke
“Those who forget the past are doomed to repeat it”
― Sara Shepard, Wanted
“Those unable to catalog the past are doomed to repeat it.”
― Lemony Snicket, The End
“Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." (George Santayana)
I've got news for Mr. Santayana: we're doomed to repeat the past no matter what. That's what it is to be alive.”
― Kurt Vonnegut
“He who doesn't understand history is doomed to repeat it.”
― Pittacus Lore, I Am Number Four
“Those who don't know their history are doomed to repeat it. You have to expose who you are so that you can determine what you need to become.”
― Cynthia A. Patterson
“Learn from history or you're doomed to repeat it.”
― Jesse Ventura
Diogenes was a strange man. He said that no man needed much, and so he did not live in a house but slept in a barrel, which he rolled about from place to place.
Ya don't say?
Maybe Diogenis was in the middle of his photosynthesis...
Are you promoting an upcoming post on photosynthesis by any chance?
Ahahahahaha! No! It's not on my programme ;)
Why not??!? What an opportunity for cross promotion!
It surely is, but I don't like advertising under people's posts, unless they are involved or interested. It wouldn't be nice to... block their sunshine :P
Well, when it is done with the wit and subtlety that you are famous for, it is a joy to perceive. (but be warned, dear readers, most people who try it will only get a downvote from me!)
I am humbled by the compliment (I will take it as such!) :)
I have to find you a Greek Name...
Just not "Stathis", OK?
hehe
If you need any help... :) at your disposal
you looked more fine and gentlemen than those specimen hahah
I admire your taste!
I wrote a paper in highschool about Diogenis. One of my favourite characters.
I regularly visit your blog because of the amazing posts you have. I am motivating myself to visit greece in the future as I visit your page sir @onceuponatime. And by the way I was laughing with these statement:
My eyes literally giggled. I never expected that history could make me laugh. 🤣
Imagine living on neither of the flat sides of a coin.... but balancing on the narrow lane / edge of it and trying to find its end...
Alexander stop rolling that coin please... It makes me dizzy...
Well, when I see you flip a coin and have it land on the edge........then perhaps I'll be able to imagine such a thing as you propose.
AsAlexanderWouldBe ... how would you think about a new name of yours like this?
Take care and enjoy! :)
Are you implying that I am an Alexander wannabe? ( I guess we did share delusions of grandeur)
Well... I imply that Alexander after all his achievements, and if he had lived longer would like to be... like @onceuponatime
Nope, he clearly said he would like to be like Diogenes.
He would have thougth it once again to say that about Diogenes if he had read the 5 facts of your life... for a start...
I did not know at all that there is this statue and all this story, although I have been many times there !! Impressive!!
I am planning an event for Corinth. Stay tuned.
Ι am very glad to hear that!! I can not wait !!! That is amazing !!!
Interesting story. First I ever heard of it. Thanks for sharing. Have you been to Sparta?
I'm still waiting for Sparta to come to me :-)
If you get on a boat it might come closer. lol
You touched history, I envy you! Centuries passed, and people remember these individuals for their services.
If I had to choose my favourite post of yours then, this would be "IT"!!!
Well I love Alexander the Great for many reasons!! I am sure all his virtues are known to the world!!!!
But what the world may not know, is that from his father's side was also a Peloponnese, like myself 😉!!
But the reality is that we (Corinthians) were not as kind with him, along with the Spartans!
We never made the alliance with him that so much he wished for and on top of all of that we had Diogenes as well to treat him like nobody!
He was definitely not a "nobody". But he is known as the "arch vainglorious".
Thanks a lot for a great educational post! ...And what a good shot of you in there too!
Namaste :)
What do you think of that look in my eyes?
By the looks of it, the sun is heavily involved in trying to blind you! ;) Your response is potent and to the point allowing you to stare right back! ;)
Namaste :)
who would you like to be from the 2?
why do not you like the name "Stathis"? 😀
https://steemit.com/art/@mariandavp/the-story-of-rose-the-blackbird-original-story-and-photosculpting-by-mariandavp
Xaxaxaxa..It is incredible..
I just read the following link..
https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Stathis
You are a fantastic man...
Wow you look so cool in the pic. I never knew that a person can live inside a barrel hahaha. So is that called a barrel roll? Hahahaha :D thnaks for this knowledge you gave me i cant believe aperson can live in a barrel :)
Thanks for sharing this kind of history . .I'm so glad to be a part of your follower ..Big cats serves as our guide to improve reputation as newbie like me :)
Thanks for your comment!
I've never heard of Diogenes before. What an interesting character he had. Imagine if someone today is carrying a lamp or masturbating in the public, we would call him insane and he will probably end up in prison.
masturbating in public??? haha do not have words for this.I am also curious to find what other kind of stunts he used to do.
You could do a post on that!!!!
great idea..thank you for the ispiration @onceuponatime
Sun is to be praised. Diogenes knew his thing for sure. :)
Maybe you should try living in a barrel for a while too :-)
If it's filled with wine I don't see how this can go wrong.
@onceuponatime - Sir I never heard about this story before... You capture a fantastic photography & you wrote the history behind it very well... Nice you decided to share it Sir...
+W+
On steemit, i would love to be @onceuponatime...so sir, move away, stop blocking my sunshine. Hahaha. I like your humour...always sir.
Society always needs a couple good degenerates in it! I think in today’s world he would been someone like Justin Lee Ross. The nonsense that dude gets up to from time to time is just too funny.
Sometimes you just can't take like to serious or it will destroy you.
"Society always needs a couple good degenerates"
Well, it has me and @twiceuponatime.
Oh really? Have I missed out on some crazy stories that are on the blockchain?
Okay, i can boldly say i would love to be you, or twiceuponatime or @dan. So, which of you would move and stop blocking my sunshine. I made it voluntary...atleast i tried. 😊😊😊😂😂😂
I would NEVER block your sunshine. @twiceuponatime, however, now that's a horse of a different color. I suspect that he would even steal candy from children!
Haha this is serious banter and a good one that i enjoyed. Maybe i will rather stick with being you then. Haha
Wise choice :-)
I like you already...well...since i am already you, i like me already. Haha
I like me too!
What a way to start my day! You are so much fun...since you don't steal candy from children, what things do you do? Haha
Maybe it was a cold day when he told that... xD
Probably was.
Wonderful this greek-trail.....i appreciate this post. resteemit
Thank you.
Most welcome...
if there was a once there's always a twice :)
May you be thrice blessed!
wow!! i was blessed!
thank you sir @onceuponatime i was thriced 😊😊😊
great post again.. still waiting for that invitation for the BBQ, watching the bikini's and some historic views in Loutraki ;-)
Since Greece is part of the EU, I presume that soon bikinis are out and hijabs are in.
Lol, Imagining Diogenes saying to Alexander:
I know, eh. Masturbating in public I guess we could accept, but saying "f'ing" to Alexander (the Great, no less) - that's a bit much :-)
He was a very open person. He probably wanted to share it with everyone! :d
How generous of him LOL
Great post and really nice photo.I knew a lot about Diogenes from books etc We were taught in school through history courses but to be honest i didn't know he was masturbating in public.
Yeah, they keep forgetting to mention that in school :-)
hehe i guess you are right :)
Finally!
Today is February 9th, 2018.
On this day: I actually learned something.
It's February 10th where I am - and I'm just as ignorant as ever :(
At least you know what day it is.
Obviously I have help:
What is that? Some kind of time machine?
It's a clock (for your old age)
That's something to look forward to then. I enjoy Thursday afternoons.
Hello Friend @onceuponatime ! Today the world celebrates Love Day and romance!
I wish you had a day of love every day!
That's very nice of you!
Thank you. I want that you will listen a great clip that I love to listen in the minutes of thinking about eternal values!
https://steemit.com/life/@olga.maslievich/you-know-i-so-want-to-live-to-live-to-give-everything-away
I know this is out of topic but happy valentines sir @onceupontime. Enjoy your day!
Thank you.