Wavelength #12

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To r Sea each far ou er r s

Volume 2, Issue 12, July 2004

avelength centrofin@centrofin.gr

Emotional Intelligence The following article was contributed to the ALERT Magazine of the Nautical Institute London. Ed.

In this issue

Communication

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- a step towards Emotional Intelligence

Grounding of a vessel

CENTRO-NEWS

Commander HN (Retd) Nicholas A Iliopoulos Centrofin Management Inc

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wenty three seafarers onboard a vessel do not necessarily constitute a team just because it comes under that heading, nor do teamwork values ensure team performance by themselves.

The essence of a team is common commitment, and an effective team is always worth more than the sum of its parts, under basic disciplines.

The initial constraints of the team's right size and the correct mix of complementary skills, e.g. technical and functional expertise, problem solving and decision making, to perform the job well, have already been determined by years of ship design and sea-going experience.

However, what seems to be missing, sometimes, is effective communication between the team ashore and the

multinational-multicultural group on board. This in turn depends on the interpersonal skills used. By this I mean Emotional Intelligence which for some time now has been used to try to create, amongst its members, a feeling of mutual trust, a sense of identity, we call it 'family', and a feeling of efficacy.

Once these conditions are recognised the team then becomes more competent to successfully deliver the 'objective' points by achieving higher levels of participation, cooperation and collaboration.

Easier said than done!

The emotions should be deliberately brought to the surface, analysed and understood and the close relationship, both internally and externally, should be established and maintained. The ability to face the high risk challenges at sea has to be strengthened in many ways.

People draw their emotional cues from those around them.

We consider it to be the top management's responsibility to have established the norms for both Confrontation and Caring.

The former may seem illogical but it isn't; the group must feel comfortable to call foul, in either direction.

Caring behaviour is easier; it usually only needs concentration from top to bottom on the small matters. It is profoundly important to display positive regard, appreciation, respect, support and compassion.

Our quarterly bulletin WAVELENGTH, addressed to our seafarers in this manner, aspires to develop the willing and talented mariners to the point that eventually surpass us in knowledge and ability.

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COLRGES pg6

Will Compasses Point South? pg8

Olympia (Athens 2004)

IMO Debates Fair Treatment of Seafarers

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he IMO Legal Committee held its eighty-eighth session in London between 19 and 23 April 2004.

Apart from the priority items a new and important one, discussed by the committee, was the proposal to create a set of guidelines on the fair treatment of seafarers.

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he proposal was submitted by a number of member states and observer delegations, including BIMCO, and is aimed at attempting to tackle the increase in the criminalisation of seafarers following maritime accidents. In some recent high-profile maritime casualties, some coastal state administrations have

placed seafarers, and in particular the Master, under arrest for prolonged periods without trial despite the lack of proven wilful misconduct or gross negligence, on the part of the seafarer. The industry voiced concern that the fundamental human rights of seafarers were being jeopardised in favour of temporary policies invoked by authorities in the wake of highprofile maritime incidents, in particular when such incidents involve pollution.

Another undesirable effect connected with the increasing criminalisation of seafarers was that salvage companies might, in the future, hesitate to send in response teams in case they were also detained. Obtaining the necessary surety from local authorities

TO THE MASTER: Please circulate this Bulletin to the CREW.

would most likely lead to the loss of precious time in tackling a casualty. Finally concern was expressed at the potential impact that the detention of seafarers, following an accident, might have on the industry's ability to attract youngsters to the maritime profession.

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gainst this background, the Legal Committee decided to work towards the development of a set of guidelines which it is hoped will be adopted by states in the near future to the benefit and comfort of seafarers worldwide.

(Well done.)

(Adapted from BIMCO)

Compliments ALERT The International Human Element Bulletin Issue 4

LEADERSHIP & the MASTER. Leadership is the art of getting someone else to do something you want done because he wants to do it. (Dwight D. Eisenhower) You can no more win a war than you can win an earthquake. (Jeannette Rankin)

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he global events of the last years have made us wonder over the existence of leadership or the lack of it.

All talk about it; and it has become a crucial part to business success.

We recognise that everyone must be a leader for a company, or a vessel in our case, to meet the challenges of the global marketplace.

A leader is a confident, positive person with vision and high ethical values, with the skills for communicating ideas and the ability to motivate and relate well to others.

Some people come to these skills naturally but many more they learn them.

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Below are four stages of development: 1.- Overcoming fear. Fear of speaking up, fear of being wrong, fear of failure, fear of new ideas and new ways of doing things; all are fears that prevent people from growing.

2.- Building self-confidence. As self-confidence replaces fear, people accept greater challenges and experience new successes which, in turn, inspire more self-confidence.

3.- Relating to others. People share similar feelings and experiences.

Each co-worker has a point of view to be considered as they interact.

4.- Communicating effectively. Communication is a two-way process that involves uninterruptive listening as well as expressing ideas well.

The prime skill is the ability to achieve results through people.

In this societal pressure, that we live and operate under, one of the ways to face the challenges, on a daily basis, is the Cultivation of a Mental Attitude that Brings you Peace and Happiness.

:)

Our Joke (s) :

Contrary to general belief, I do not believe that friends are necessarily the people you like best; they are the people who got there first (Peter Ustinov 1921-2004)

Doesn't expected the unexpected make the unexpected become the expected?

ASPIRIN vs TEETH An important information from The Journal of the American Dental Association.

People who chew aspirin because they do not like to swallow pills, or because they hope to absorb the medicine more quickly, may be opening the door to serious dental problems. The report describes the case of two patients who needed extensive dental treatment because of the practice.

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t advises dentists to ask patients about their aspirin use if they come across hard-to-explain erosion of the teeth. Dentists have long seen patients who have injured themselves by letting aspirin dissolve against the cheeks or gums, sometimes in the mistaken belief that it will be more effective if pressed against a painful tooth. This practice can lead to painful lesions and ulcerations that take days to heal.

This writer dissolves his aspirin in a half “full” glass of water.

For more information please contact your dentist.

Here below are some principles, as compiled by the experts: i)

Fill your mind with thoughts of peace, courage, health and hope

ii) Never try to get even with your adversaries iii) Expect ingratitude iv) Count your blessings - not your troubles

(Five-o'clock-high-tea) O

nce upon a time there was water. And sunshine. And leaves from a bush called Camellia Sinensis or now out-dated Thea sinensis.

Legend has it that in 2737 BCE the Chinese Emperor Shen-Nung (called the “Divine Healer”) put the three together and created the elixir known as tea. From there it spread to Japan and the other Far Eastern lands. It made it to Europe in the 1640's and sailed to the Americas in the 1670's.

Earl Grey (international; black, scented with bergamot oil - Editor's favoured) Lapsang Souchong (China & Taiwan; black, scented with smoke) Many varieties of scented teas

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Green

EA is the second most popular beverage after water. The world's passion for tea is legendary; and as it became less a drink for the rich and more a drink for the masses, the commerce of tea became big business. It is estimated that somewhere between 18 & 20 billion (6 oz.) cups of tea are drunk daily on our 'abused' planet.

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ea is a very mild stimulant containing caffeine; fewer milligrams per equal-sized cup of coffee, but more than cocoa. It also contains small quantities of tannic compounds technically called polyphenols (Not tannic acid used in leather), vitamin A, B2, C, D, K and P plus a number of minerals in trace amounts and aromatic oils. The tannin compounds and essential oils are, in main, responsible for the flavour, the colour, the astringency (dryness) and the delightful aromatics.

These last two substances join forces to produce the high, medium and base notes of tea that one experiences, though cannot be determined chemically. All tea analysis comes out basically the same regardless of the variety or where in the world the tea is grown. It is in the well-developed palate of the tea devotees that this decision of goodness is allowed to rest its case.

Ti Kuan Yin [Tai Kuan Yin] (Mainland China) Formosa Oolong (Taiwan, many varieties some of the finest in the world) Genmaicha, Gyokuro, Spider Leg, Mattcha [used in the tea-ceremony], Sencha, Hojicha (Japan) Longjing, Baozhong, Gunpowder (China)

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erbal Teas, despite the name, aren't really teas at all. Naturally caffeine-free, they are a blend of natural ingredients, like herbs, flowers, fruits and spices. They have names like Herbal infusion and 'Tisane.' Some common herbs are peppermint, chamomile, rose hips, lemon verbena and fennel. There are exaggerated claims for medicinal properties.

Even so herbs generally do have recognised benefits.

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ea grows in approximately 45 countries (as per FAO data). Major exporters are China, India, Japan, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, other South Asia countries, Kenya, South America, etc.

The word for tea in most China and Japan is 'Cha'. In the Fujian province is 'te’ ( pronounced 'tay').

The Dutch adopted and brought this name to Europe. The Russians and Greeks call it 'chai' and the Portuguese 'cha'.

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he three main categories of tea are black, oolong and green. They are all made from the same plant and their difference depends only on the processing method they undergo; several hours of oxidation, less oxidation and no oxidation at all, respectively. {The term 'fermentation' is considered by the experts as misleading}.

There are of course many different varieties within these categories; naming but the most popular ones:

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Black, Unblended

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vi) Try to profit from your losses

Assam, Darjeeling, Nlgiri, Sikkim (India) Yunnan, Keemun (China) Ceylon (Sri Lanka)

vii) Create happiness for others

Popular Blends

v) Do not imitate others

Oolong

English Breakfast, Irish Breakfast, Russian Caravan

Scented/Flavoured Jasmine (China; green, scented with jasmine flowers)

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Cont'd Page 4-5

Laughing stock -- cattle with a sense of humour

he first step in tea production is the harvest; by hand and very labour-intensive.

The leaves are then processed in two ways: CTC or orthodox.

CTC stands for 'crush, tear, and curl' and is used primarily for lower-quality leaves, which are then 'fired' / dehydrated.

The orthodox method is a bit more complex and differs per category (for oxidation). The steps are withering, rolling, (oxidation), and firing. t was the Americans again, in the 1904 St. Louis Exhibition, who introduced the new phenomenon, 'iced-tea' and a few years later the 'tea-bag'.

Tea is for the most part healthful to humans; however, individuals can misuse tea by drinking too much of it or making it too strong. As with many things we ingest, moderation and restraint are the watchwords.

Enjoy your cup - of - tea!

COLR

A Guide to G The results were alarming; 50% of the respondents stated that in their view the problems were caused by ignorance and willful disregard of the rules.

When it came to solutions respondents highlighted both the need to improve the education and training of the watchkeeping officers and to better (improve) the

Rule 5 Look Out

ariners are frequently confronted with hazardous situations relating to COLREGS. The Nautical Institute in an international survey amongst seagoing officers enquired if they thought there was a problem, what the causes could be and to suggest solutions.

supervision by the senior officers onboard.

The COLREGS are the foundations upon which the safe navigation and conduct of vessels are built.

It is vital that all who work with the Rules have a full and detailed knowledge of not only the text but of all the elements to effectively apply them.

“Every vessel shall at all times maintain a proper lookout by sight and hearing as well as by all available means appropriate in the prevailing circumstances and conditions so as to make a full appraisal of the situation and of the risk of collision”.

“Look out” means pay attention to everything! – Not just looking ahead out of the window but all round the vessel, using all your senses and all appropriate equipment available to you.

KEEP AN EYE AND EAR ON EVERYTHING THAT GIVES YOU INFORMATION INCLUDING: ! Radar/ARPA – Be aware of the effects of clutter, of small targets and the range of the set. ! Radio transmissions – Keep an ear on what is going on in the vessel’s vicinity. ! Sound Signals – Can you hear any sound signals near-by ? Be aware of the effect of keeping a closed wheelhouse, and of distracting noises in a closed space.

! Course and Position Navigation Aids – If you have to alter course make sure there is safe water available. ! Depth indicator – frequently and systematically monitor the depth of water beneath the vessel. ! Be aware – VTS and AIS are there to help you.

BEWARE OF DISTRACTIONS! ! Alarms – Do not allow alarms, such as false GMDSS transmissions, to distract you from keeping a proper look-out. ! Lights - Do not allow lights on your vessel to impair your vision ! Communications – VHF transmissions and mobile phones are not your first priority. Do not allow them to distract you.

Rule 5 applies at all times – there must always be someone looking – out. If weather or conditions cause concern then more lookouts may be needed and should be called without hesitation.

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Rule 8 Action to Avoid Collision

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Good Practice (Compliments NoE)

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he North of England P&I Association's Risk Management Department has in recent years produced a series of posters to highlight the Rules. In the 'Guide to Good Practice' are combined the full set of eleven (11) posters with their additional guidance on often misunderstood and neglected facets of their application.

Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972 (COLREGS)

Remember!

The COLREGS are not just advice to the mariner - they are THE LAW.

Do Something and do it Early !

Remember a positive alteration made very early on is better than a large panic alteration at the last minute! – the closer you are to the other vessel the more you will have to do to avoid collision.

Don’t judge a “positive” and “ample” action just by the amount of alteration – confirm it by the change in CPA. Keep checking the situation until the risk of collision is past and clear.

Make your actions obvious to other vessels – Small alterations of course are dangerous; they don’t usually solve the problem and don’t give the other vessel a clear indication of what you are doing.

Use the engines – If your ability to alter is constrained then SLOW DOWN or STOP. The other vessel may also be obliged to take action. Always bear in mind what that action may be.

NOT IMPENDING? ! If the Rules require you “not to impede”, it means you must make a very early alteration to make sure risk of collision does not develop.

! If you are the “not to be impeded” vessel be prepared for the other vessel not to take the correct action. If a collision is imminent you have to act however constrained you are!

Think about what you are doing – Actions taken to avoid collision should follow the observance of good seamanship – this is where we have to apply professional and sound practical judgement!

Use the Trial Manoeuvre setting on your ARPA, if available.

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If you disobey the law you will suffer consequences.

Ignorance of the law is never a defense.

(NOTE: “Wavelength” will be bringing you two Rules and their guidance, per issue, the coming months.

Please have them discussed with your deck officers and ratings. Ed.) (a). Any action to avoid collision shall be taken in accordance with the Rules to this part and shall, if the circumstances of the case admit, be positive, made in ample time and with due regard to the observance of good seamanship. (b) Any alteration of course and /or speed to avoid collision shall, if the circumstances of the case admit, be large enough to be readily apparent to another vessel observing visually or by radar; a succession of small alterations of course and /or speed should be avoided. (c) If there is sufficient sea-room, alteration of course alone may be the most effective action to avoid a close - quarters situation provided that it is made in good time, is substantial and does not result in another close-quarters situation. (d) Action taken to avoid collision with another vessel shall be such as to result in passing at a safe distance. The effectiveness of the action shall be carefully checked until the other vessel is finally past and clear. (e) If necessary to avoid collision or allow more time to assess the situation, a vessel shall slacken her speed or take all way off by stopping or reversing her means of propulsion. (f) (i) A vessel which, by any of these Rules, is required not to impede the passage or safe passage of another vessel shall, when required by the circumstances of the case, take early action to allow sufficient sea-room for the safe passage of the other vessel. (ii) A vessel required not to impede the passage or safe passage of another vessel is not relieved of this obligation if approaching the other vessel so as to involve risk of collision and shall, when taking action, have full regard to the action which may be required by the Rules of this Part. (iii) A vessel the passage of which is not to be impeded remains fully obliged to comply with the Rules of this Part when the two vessels are approaching one another so as to involve risk of collision”.

Why the “barcode beep” will go on.

I am most certain that many times, after a long absence at sea, you have enjoyed the idea of taking your happy lady and your two lovely 'horror-monsters' and spent some of your hard-earned currency shopping at the largest local supermarket.

With a full trolley you approached the checkout counter, awaiting your turn, whilst the children were crying for their ice-creams from the basket. Shortly your turn came and with speed and accuracy you paid your bill and collected your goodies. All this thanks to the 'scanbarcodes'.

Among the objects d'art in the archives of Washington's Smithsonian Institution is a 30 year old pack of chewing gum.

The vintage confectionery is usually overshadowed by loftier exhibits. But this month (26 June 2004) it will have pride of place. On this day in 1974 the pack made history passing through a barcode scanner at the counter of a supermarket in Ohio, USA. It was a small 'beep' for the supermarket, one giant leap for retailing and logistics.

The barcode launched a revolution, allowing retailers to checkout queues, keep track of their stock and adjust prices without having to re-label every last tin of soup.

Before barcodes, an average supermarket chain stocked 2,000-3,000 product lines. Today the number is closer to 25,000.

SATURN SPECTACLE “Cassini” Enters Planet’s Orbit The Cassini-Huygens spacecraft, with precise navigation and sustained thrust of rocket power, on the last day of June 2004, became the first exploring vehicle to orbit Saturn; the far away planet of serene beauty embellished by an exquisite array of enriching rings. After a journey of nearly seven years, of a distance of more than 800 million miles away and with the planned highlight, part of the U$3.3 billion American-European mission, to carry out the first thorough investigation of Saturn’s mysterious planet-size moon, Titan.

Cassini appears ready to explore Saturn and its retinue of 31 known satellites over the next four years, perhaps even longer.

Companion-probe “Huygens” will detach itself in December to explore Titan and uncover the secrets lying concealed beneath its dense atmosphere and surface temperatures of minus (-) 184 degrees Celsius. At times, due to gravity, the spacecraft travelled, through gaps of the broad system, at speeds of over 50,000 miles per hour!

Saturn, as all seafarers know, is the sixth planet from Sun and the second largest after Jupiter.

The Greeks firstly called the planet Cronus, which later the Romans renamed (as usual) Saturn. Cronus was one of the seven titans born by Uranus (sky) and Gaea (Earth) who went on to become the lord of the universe after deposing his father (read full story on issue 10). The Romans exalted Saturn as the god of agriculture, often depicted in paintings as an old bearded man helped by his sister and wife, Rhea. Cronus had to flee when his son Zeus (Jupiter by the Romans, again) dethroned him and presided over the Golden age, a time of perfect happiness, social order and the arts.

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But while the barcode's 30 anniversary is a time for celebration, there are clouds on the horizon. Nemesis in this case comes in the form of Radio Frequency Identity tags (RFID), slithers of silicon that can hold more information than a block of black and white stripes; they give an identity to each individual item.

RFIDs could provide the full life of each article from the date of its production to the date it leaves the supermarket and combined with other tiny gadgets, say, micro-electromechanical thermometers, could tell you whether the salmon in your shopping basket has been kept suitably chilled. RFIDs have already been in operation with the US Department of Defense. However, their cost at present is prohibitively high.

A speck-sized chip wouldn't make sense, at today's prices, if it were to be attached to a packet of orange juice.

After all there was a 20 years gap between the patenting of barcode technology and the first mass-market application. The reason? Scanners were too expensive and unreliable to install at point of sale.

Will Compasses T

he collapse of the earth’s magnetic field, which guards the planet and guides many of its creatures, appears to have started in earnest about 150 years ago. The field’s strength has waned 10 to 15 percent so far and this deterioration has accelerated of late; increasing the debate over whether it portends a reversal of the lines of magnetic force that normally envelop the earth. uring a reversal, the main field weakens, almost vanishes, and then reappears with opposite polarity. As a result, compass needles that normally point north would point south, and during the thousand years of transition much in the heavens and the Earth would go askew. reversal could knock out power grids, hurt astronauts and satellites, widen atmospheric ozone holes, send polar auroras flashing to the equator

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(Excerpts from IHT,

by W.J.Broad)

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The future, according to some scientists, will be exactly like the past, only far more expensive

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Little did Huygens know then that in the 21 century, it is the Earth that is turning increasingly destitute; after years and years of human excesses and abuse!

Point South?

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Time is the most valuable thing a man can spend

When Christian Huygens in 1655 discovered Titan, he wrote, that since seasons on Titan would be longer than Earth’s anyone living there would have to suffer intolerably long winters.

His per-Darwinian theories lacked the evolutionary touch, and so had a charming way of looking at planets as places created for the express purpose of habitation. He said of Earth: “Can we force ourselves to think that the wise creator has disposed of all his animals and plants here, on this spot only, and has left all those other worlds bare and destitute of inhabitants?”

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Saturn has witnessed three previous robotic missions so far: ‘Pioneer 11’ in 1973, and ‘Voyager 1 and 2’ in 1997, which sent us back those stunning pictures – so much like colourful and detailed paintings on canvas!

and confuse birds, fish and migratory animals that rely on the steadiness of the magnetic field as a navigation aid. aby loggerhead turtles embark on an 8,000mile (12,800 kilometres) trek around the Atlantic using invisible magnetic clues to check their bearings; so do salmon and whales, honeybees and homing pigeons, frogs and Zambian mole rats. How about vessels and airplanes?

But experts said the repercussions would fall short of a catastrophe, despite a few proclamations of doom and sketchy evidence of past links between field reversals and species extinctions. ast June, the European Space Agency approved the world’s largest effort at tracking the field’s shifts. Three new satellites, called

NTROF

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The ‘lord of the rings’ is the outermost planet visible to the naked eye and has the following brief profile: atmospheric components: 97% hydrogen, 3% helium, .05% methane // diameter: 120660 km (764 times the size of Earth) // average distance from sun: 1,426,725,400 km // rotation period (length of day in Earth days): 0.44 (10.2 Earth hours) // revolution period (length of year in Earth years): 29.6 // Rings: are 270,000 km in diameter but only a few hundred metres thick; particles are centimetres to decametres in size and are ice (some may be covered with ice), together with traces of silicate and carbon minerals. There are four main ring groups and three more faint, narrow ring groups separated by gaps called divisions. (The scientific theory I like best is that the rings are composed entirely of lost airline luggage).

The test of courage comes when we are in the minority; the test of tolerance comes when we are in the majority It is our responsibilities, not ourselves, that we should take seriously At a dinner party one should eat wisely but not to well, and talk well but not too wisely (W. Somerset Maugham) The highest result of education is tolerance People ask for criticism, but they only want praise

Swarm, are to monitor the collapsing field with far greater precision than before and thus help scientists forecast its prospective state. eep inside the earth the magnetic field arises as the fluid core oozes with hot currents of molten iron. This mechanical energy gets converted into electromagnetism and is known as the geodynamo No matter, however, what the new findings; the public has no reason to panic, scientists say. Even if a flip is imminent, it might take 2,000 years to mature. The last one took place 780,000 years ago, when ‘Homo Erectus’ was still learning how to make stone tools.

(Note: Meanwhile, onboard, please make sure that the magnetic compasses have been adjusted and the magnetic card is updated. Ed.)

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Laws alone can not secure freedom of expression; in order that every man present his views without penalty there must be spirit of tolerance in the entire population Love is an act of endless forgiveness, a tender look which becomes a habit It is not wealth one asks for, but just enough to preserve one's dignity, to work unhampered, to be generous, frank and independent Correction: Regret our spelling mistake of the word "lives" in our issue 11.

Even Olympians make errors.

Olympia

The Temple of Zeus - Imposing Doric peripheral temple dated 470-456 BCE. In stone columns with magnificent sculptured pediments featuring Zeus and Apollo as central figures and the labours of Hercules. Inside the exquisite 12m high gold and ivory statue of world ruler Zeus holding his scepter and the winged Nike, (one of the seven wonders).

The Temple of Hera (Heraion) - A Doric wooden temple of 7th century BCE. The oldest example of monumental temples of Hellenic architecture.

The Stadium - Dates from early 5th century exists till today. Track length 212.54m, width 28.50m. with a stone platform for the Hellanodikes (the judges).

The Vouleuterion (Parliament) - Two buildings from the mid 6th and 5th centuries BCE. Altar of Horkios (sworn) Zeus where athletes took their oath.

The Philippeion - Circular peripheral building, begun by Philip II (c 338 BCE) and completed by Alexander the Great. Used for worshipping the heroes of the Macedonian dynasty.

The Workshop of Pheidias - Built to house the work of the artist while preparing the statue of Zeus.

The Palaestra - It was erected during the 3rd century BCE for the practice of wrestling, boxing and jumping.

The Gymnasium - Closed rectangular building with a large yard for the practice of the javelin, the discus etc. Dated 2nd century BCE. The Prytaneion (Deans’ house) - Dated early 5th century for housing the Prytans (deans of the sanctuary). The sacred Hearth with the Eternal fire was situated within.

The Treasuries – Small temples dedicated mainly by Greek cities and colonies. There remain 12 temples but only 5 slightly identifiable.

Articles written in this bulletin do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of CENTROFIN. DISCLAIMER. The contents provided herewith are for general information purposes only; not intended to replace or otherwise contradict the detailed instructions issued by the owners, flag etc.

NTROF

Editor: Cmdr Nicholas A. Iliopoulos Staff Captain Manning & Training Tel: +30.210 8983.305 Fax: +30.210 8983.231 E-mail: nai@centrofin.gr Design-Production: www.paradox.com.gr Tel: +30.210 6560.832

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CENTRO-NEWS

The Leonidaion - A guest house for VIPs and foreign guests was built in c 330 BCE by its donor and architect Leonidas of Naxos.

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held.

The area, of great natural beauty, has been inhabited uninterruptedly since the 3rd millennium B.C. and in the late Mycenaean period it became a religious centre.

The excavations at Olympia begun in May 1829, two years after the battle of Navarino, by French archaeologists. Later they were stopped.

They started again 45 years later by German archaeologists. The research is being continued to this day by the German Institute of Archaeology in Athens, and the Ephorate of Antiquities in Olympia.

The sanctuary of Olympia spreads around the green wooded feet of the Kronion hill, where the rivers Alpheios and Cladeos meet. The valley amongst the two rivers was in ancient times full of wild olive trees, poplars, oaks, pines and plane trees and it was these trees that gave the centre of the sanctuary the name Altis, meaning alsos (grove).

The Altis is the name given to the area in Olympia that comprises the main religious buildings, temples and votive offerings of the sanctuary.

Out of the enclosure were the auxiliary buildings, priests' houses, baths, the areas for the preparation of the athletes, guest houses along with other buildings.

The beginning of worship, as well as the mythical confrontations that took place in Olympia, are lost in the depth of the centuries. At the end of the Mycenaean era there was already an installation in the area, and in the Geometric and early Archaic periods, the first simple buildings of the sanctuary were founded.

he games began in 776 B.C. to honour Zeus. Pelops, the king of the Peloponnesus was, according to mythology, their founder. The games, which, from beginning to end were dominated by religious character and austere ritual, were taking place in the area in front of the temples to start with, but later as the athletes taking part in the games, as well as the spectators increased, in well organised installations. At the same time the events were enriched in number and variety.

The innumerable offerings of the 7th-6th centuries B.C. were placed outside on trees, altars or in alcoves of the sanctuary. The most important of the offerings were bronze tripods and cauldrons of excellent quality, war loot (hanging on poles) and other art objects and instruments for the games. In the passing of centuries the architectural plan of the sanctuary takes shape, until the end of the 4th century B.C. when it is finally completed.

Olympia was always functioning as a place of political projection and the games often fell, especially during late antiquity, victim to political exploitation from important personalities like Philip II, Alexander the Great and his successors. Romans, proving their authentic Greek origin, also took part in the games, after the total submission of Greece to Rome, but by then the glamour and idealistic spirit of the games was considerably weakened.

Directly depending on the the games and the sanctuary of Olympia was the town of Elis, whose sole interest was the preparation and performance of the games.

Some of the most important monuments of the site are:

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ne of the most important sanctuaries of antiquity, dedicated to the father of the gods Olympian Zeus. Olympia is the birth-place of the Olympic Games and also where they were