Tattooing is the most misunderstood art form in Japan today. Looked down upon for centuries and rarely discussed in social circles, people with tattoos are outcasts in this country, banned from most public spaces such as beaches, bathhouses, and even gyms. Tattoos have an extensive history in Japan, and to truly understand the stigma behind them it is essential to be aware of their significance. The first records of tattoos...
Read MoreOn Saturday, April 18th, 2015, our ninth, tenth, and twelfth grade students embarked on their first weXplore trip of their Greece term: a visit to Delphi, a UNESCO World Heritage site containing well-preserved ruins steeped in mythological history. Throughout the course of the day they’ll have the chance to explore the Temple of Apollo, the Delphi Archaeological Museum, and the 5,000 seat Delphi theater, a limestone marvel that offers panoramic views of the Parnassus mountain range.
Delphi Instagram Feed
Our students love sharing their experiences with the world on Instagram. You can find their photos from Delphi below or on Instagram using the hashtag #tgsdelphi.
Multidisciplinary project
This term, several of our teachers are blending their curriculums to work together on a multidisciplinary project centered around Homer’s epic poem The Odyssey. Utilizing the concept of exploration education, our students will be able to immerse themselves in the very locations that Homer penned as his settings nearly 3,000 years ago, starting with Delphi.
Delphi in Mythology
Delphi’s prominence in Greek mythology stems from it being the home of Pythia, priestess to Apollo (the god of light/son of Zeus). So important was the shrine and the sacred spring it was built around that it began to be known as the navel of the world. Greece’s inhabitants, ranging from peasants to emperors, would come from miles around to approach Pythia with their questions, which, largely, were met with ambiguous answers.
In Homer’s Odyssey, Apollo is said to have slain a python-dragon at Pytho (Delphi) and established a sanctuary (the Temple of Apollo). He then began offered advice from Zeus through Pythia.
If you’ve read the graphic novel or seen the movie 300, you probably recall the scene where King Leonidas visits the Oracle of Delphi.
The Odyssey continues next week
Next week our students’ “Odyssey” continues in a manner fitting of the Gods: our ninth and tenth graders will be boarding a ship and sailing from Lefkada to Zakinthos, stopping at Ithaca and Ceffalonia on the way. Our 11th graders will be also be embarking on a five-day education exploration of their own. We look forward to sharing all of the details, hashtags, and reflections as they occur. Until then, αντίο
