Corinth is 48 miles (78 kilometers) from Athens. It is a straight shot on well maintained toll roads. Our driver, Theodoric of Itasca delivered us to what is now known as ‘New Corinth’. It was founded as Nea Korinthos (Νέα Κόρινθος), or New Corinth, in 1858 after an earthquake destroyed the existing settlement of Corinth, which had developed in and around the site of ancient Corinth.
Kalamata is 159 Kilometers (approximately 98 miles from Corinth. The modern name Kalamáta is a corruption of the older name Καλάμαι, Kalámai, “reeds“.The phonetic similarity of Kalamáta with the phrase καλά μάτια “kalá mátia” (“good eyes”) has led to various folk etymologies. The history of Kalamata begins with Homer (Greek: Ομηρος) who mentions Firai, an ancient city built more or less where the Kalamata Castle stands today. It was long believed that the area that the city presently occupies was covered by the sea during ancient times.
Its foundation dates back to the Byzantine period, but its current form is based on great reconstruction by the franc prince and founder of the principality of Achaia , Geoffrey Villehardouin, in the early 13th century . Modifications on the castle of Kalamata were made by the Venetians who occupied the city since 1685 until 1715 proved by an embossed wall of Leon of Saint Mark above the entrance door.
On our way back to Athens we stopped in the site of ancient Corinth to hike the Acrocorinth. It was the fortified acropolis for ancient and medieval Corinth. Some extensive classic masonry dates to the 4th c. B.C. From 338 B.C. It was captured many times and refortified over hundreds of years. Extensive work was completed by Julius Caesar in 383 BC. It was a semi scary drive to get up to the site and the hike was challenging. Slippery rocks polished over hundred of years of travel, wind and other elements created a hike that was not for the weak of heart.
“So Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus and said, “Men of Athens, I see that you are very religious in all respects. 23 For while I was passing through and examining the objects of your worship, I also found an altar with this inscription, ‘TO AN UNKNOWN GOD.’ Therefore, what you worship in ignorance, this I proclaim to you.24 The God who made the world and everything that is in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made by hands; 25 nor is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He Himself gives to all people life and breath and all things; 26 and He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation, 27 that they would seek God, if perhaps they might feel around for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; 28 for in Him we live and move and exist, as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we also are His descendants.’ 29 Therefore, since we are the descendants of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by human skill and thought. 30 So having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now proclaiming to mankind that all people everywhere are to repent, 31 because He has set a day on which He will judge [c]the world in righteousness through a Man whom He has appointed, having furnished proof to all people by raising Him from the dead.” Acts 17:22-31.
deliriouslove1970. The life & times of Gary and Denise Flanders. (Free and worth every penny. If you would like to compliment the editor, send to garytheflan@deliriouslove1970.com. If you would like to complain, call your mother.) 
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