Readers frequently mention that they find “The Idiot and the Odyssey” books full of facts and figures.
Here are some facts that you’ll find in “The Idiot and the Odyssey: Walking the Mediterranean” and “The Idiot and the Odyssey II: Myth, Madness and Magic on the Mediterranean.”
Archeological Fact
“Shway, as Seán Hemingway is known to some friends, shows me a wealth of ancient artifacts relating to The Odyssey. They include three terracotta plaques depicting Odysseus’s return, a terracotta krater with an image of Odysseus chasing Circe with a bronze-bladed spear, and a painting of the Cyclops Polyphêmos.” — Ernest Hemingway’s grandson and Greek and Roman art curator at New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art in The Idiot and the Odyssey II: Myth, Madness and Magic on the Mediterranean“
Celebrity Fact
“’Brad Pitt’s portrayal in ‘Troy’ continues to embellish that iconic story, and he was a perfect Achilles. His blonde highlights and classic face form the image I’ve always had in mind when I picture Achilles in Troy tugging at the heartstrings of men and women as the top hero.'” — Art historian Aaron Paul quoted in The Idiot and the Odyssey II: Myth, Madness and Magic on the Mediterranean“
A model of the Trojan Horse at the entry to contemporary Troy.
Culinary Fact
“It’s got to be the Mediterranean diet that we all know has such a positive impact on cholesterol, triglycerides, blood pressure and blood sugar. I always tighten up and drop a few pounds while I’m MedTrekking, due primarily to all the walking. But I suspect that my overall health improves just because, by both choice and dining options, my intake is rich in fruits and vegetables, olives and ambrosia olive oil, low-fat dairy products and fish to create antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.” — “The Idiot and the Odyssey II: Myth, Madness and Magic on the Mediterranean“
People have always been nutty about the Mediterranean diet.
Etymological Fact
“When Circe gave Odysseus a ‘golden cup of honeyed wine’ that contained her unholy drug molü, it didn’t faze him a bit. In fact, her reaction was the first time the world ever heard the expression ‘Holy Moly.’ — “The Idiot and the Odyssey II: Myth, Madness and Magic on the Mediterranean”
Fun Fact
“Guests at Gore Vidal’s terraced, multi-level white-stucco complex, which was constructed in the late 19th century by the daughter of Lord Grimthorpe who owned the nearby Villa Cimbrone, included everyone from Princess Margaret, Rudolf Nureyev, Paul Newman, Tennessee Williams, Graham Greene, Sting, Susan Sarandon and Brad Pitt to Hilary and Chelsea Clinton, who left a photo with the note ‘Thanks for letting us trespass’.” — “The Idiot and the Odyssey II: Myth, Madness and Magic on the Mediterranean“
Geographical Fact
“Mount Olympus (the name in classical Greek means “the luminous one”) is not only the highest peak in Greece but, at 2,917-meters (9,570-feet), it’s the tallest mountain in a chain that runs north into Bulgaria and south into Turkey.” — “The Idiot and the Odyssey II: Myth, Madness and Magic on the Mediterranean“
The Idiot atop Mount Olympus.
Historical Fact
“I have to admit that the Mediterranean is, if nothing else, a bit daunting. The world’s largest inland sea is nearly 16,000 kilometres in circumference, according to an 1857 atlas astute enough to measure such things.” — “The Idiot and the Odyssey: Walking the Mediterranean“
The port of Messina on Sicily, the largest island in the world’s largest inland sea.
Mythological Fact
“I head into a cafe for a celebratory Perrier and suggest to the bartender that the town’s name is derived from Cerberus, the dog that is the guardian to Hell in Greek mythology. He looks at me like I’m from outer space.” — The Idiot and the Odyssey: Walking the Mediterranean”
A depiction of the three-headed dog Cerberus with Hades.
Personal Fact
“My favourite book was a large-print tome called Myths and Legends of the Ages, a collection of Greek and Roman tales. I was seriously besotted by ancient stories about the Golden Fleece, the return of Ulysses and the Trojan Horse. I’ve recently had the book rebound (though some of the pages still have chocolate ice cream stains on them) and have read and reread various translations of the works attributed to Homer, underlining verse after verse about the legends of the Greeks during the Bronze Age.” — The Idiot and the Odyssey: Walking the Mediterranean“
Political Fact
“Although intrigued by my walk through France and Spain, I look forward to checking in on current and former fighting states (Algeria and Israel), one-time outlaw states (Libya), problematic states (Greece and Turkey), former Communist basket-case states (Albania) and newly independent states in the former Yugoslavia.” — The Idiot and the Odyssey: Walking the Mediterranean” (2008)
Romantic Fact
“Completing the 4.5-kilometer crossing in the wake of Leander (who, according to the Greek legend and myth as recounted by the Greek writer Musaeus, swam across the Hellespont every night to consort with his lover Hero, a priestess of Aphroditê) could potentially be the most difficult labor that Circe gave me if today’s rough water is any indication.” — “The Idiot and the Odyssey II: Myth, Madness and Magic on the Mediterranean“
The Idiot swam across the Hellespont in the wake of Leander and Lord Byron.
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