GREECE

Program 04-08-08-A

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To The Best of Our Knowledge
from Wisconsin Public Radio

Have you ever wondered why Homer's Iliad is still so popular? Bestselling writer Thomas Cahill says it's because it's a real boy's story. In this hour of To the Best of Our Knowledge, our enduring fascination with the Ancient Greeks. Also, an archaeologist who's excavating the real Troy. And, a portrait of modern Athens.

SEGMENT 1:

Best-selling author Thomas Cahill is writing a series of books about ancient cultures that have shaped our world. The latest one's called "Sailing the Wine-Dark Sea: Why the Greeks Matter." Cahill tells Steve Paulson about the various ancient Greek city-states and their artistic and political legacy. Also, food writer Francine Segan talks about the sumptuous foods of ancient Greece. Her recipes are available at greek recipes.

SEGMENT 2:

William Aylward is an archaeologist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison who has done extensive field work at the site of Troy in modern day Turkey. He tells Jim Fleming that there is no historical record of the Trojan War because the events happened before writing was invented, but the site reveals clues about battles having taken place there. And we get more recipes from Francine Segan, inspired by the Greek gods and goddesses. Her recipes are available at greek recipes. Also, Mary Lefkowitz is the author of "Greek Gods, Human Lives: What We Can Learn from Myths." She tells Steve Paulson that the Greek gods seem too much like us to impress most modern people.

SEGMENT 3:

George Sarrinikolaou was born in Greece and now lives in New York. He tells Anne Strainchamps that he can pass for a Greek, but still feels like an outsider there. He loves Greece and has written a book called "Facing Athens." Barry Unsworth is one of England's most admired writers. His latest book is "Crete." Unsworth tells Steve Paulson that the layers of history are tangible on the island, and talks about some of Crete's mythic figures. And Francine Segan offers a recipe from Crete. Segan's book is "The Philosopher's Kitchen." Her recipes are available at greek recipes.

Cassette copies are available at 1-800-747-7444. Ask for program number 04-08-08-A.

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Books:

• Thomas Cahill, Sailing the Wine-Dark Sea: Why the Greeks Matter (Anchor)
  
• Mary Lefkowitz, Greek Gods, Human Lives: What We Can Learn from Myths (Yale)
  
• George Sarrinikolaou, Facing Athens: encounters with the modern city (North Point Press)
  
• Francine Segan, The Philosopher's Kitchen: recipes from Ancient Greece and Rome for the modern cook (Random House)
  
• Barry Unsworth, Crete (National Geographic Directions)

Links:

• Troia Projekt Website: http://www.uni-tuebingen.de/troia/eng/index.html
• Troy Symposium Website: http://classics.lss.wisc.edu/troy/home.htm

Music:

• Mountaineer's Song from "Crete" on the album "Greece: Traditional Music" (Unesco Collection D 8018)
• Dhimitrios Semsis: Aidhiniko & Tsifte-Telli from the album "Greek-Oriental Rebetica" (Arhoolie CD 7005)
• Tasos Mavroudis: Ela Tsiftetelli from the album "Greek Popular Songs & Dances (Playasound PS-65039)
• All from Putumayo Presents Greece:
  *Apenanti with Mellina Aslanidou - "To Parelthon Thimithika"
  *Pantelis Thalassinos - "An M' Agapas, Tha S'Agapo"
  *George Dalaras - "Sou Axize Mia Kaliteri Agalia"

Distribution dates:

week of 09/04/2005 - hour 2 week of 08/08/2004 - hour 1

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Questions and comments can be addressed to: flemingj@wpr.org

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