15/10/23

[Maik]

Kef fire risk 15/10/23: Low

Today’s bank rates:
1 €UR = £0.8885 GBP
1 €UR = $1.0938 USD
£1 GBP = 1.1255 €UR
$1 USD = 0.9142 €UR

Based on Alpha Bank exchange rates, these are widely used by exchange agencies in Greece.
Other banks likely to offer a different rate which may be marginally higher or lower.
Banks and foreign exchange offices normally charge standard 2% commission.
You may get a better rate changing your holiday money in advance at e.g the Post Office.
NB: some f-ex agencies advertise "No Commission".
Invariably, they deduct commission before they (don't) advertise the rate.
Foreign exchange offices are businesses, not charities.

Ten day weather forecast for Kefalonia:
This is an overall forecast, due to the mountainous terrain the weather can be very localised.
Updated forecast @ weather.com

Day, Date   Hi°/Lo°   Wind sp   Wet   Forecast
Sun 15/10   26°/18°   14 km/h   10%   Sunny
Mon 16/10   27°/18°   17 km/h   19%   Mostly sunny
Tue 17/10   24°/17°   13 km/h   87%   Thunderstorms probable
Wed 18/10   24°/18°   10 km/h   50%   Showers possible
Thu 19/10   25°/19°   17 km/h   13%   Sun & cloud
Fri 20/10   27°/20°   21 km/h   06%   Sun & cloud
Sat 21/10   27°/21°   32 km/h   42%   Thunderstorms possible, winds probable
Sun 22/10   27°/19°   24 km/h   40%   Scattered thunderstorms possible
Mon 23/10   26°/18°   17 km/h   24%   Sun & cloud
Tue 24/10   25°/18°   15 km/h   09%   Sun & cloud

[Maik]

Body of a 79 y-o Greek male recovered yesterday afternoon from the sea off Agia Triada beach, Megara, Attica

[Maik]

Ancient Greeks Used Mercenaries From Distant Lands, DNA Analysis Reveals

A recent DNA analysis published by the National Academy of Sciences revealed that ancient Greeks did not fight all their battles alone. Instead, they were assisted by mercenaries from lands as far as the Caucasus mountains and central Asia.

This surprising information comes from genetic analysis of human remains found at a mass grave in the necropolis of western Himera, an ancient Greek colony on the northern coast of Sicily.

The findings, published on October 3rd, implicate that the genetic makeup of the mercenaries who defended the city was not one hundred percent Hellenic (Greek). DNA analysis of sixty-two of those fallen near the battlefield showed their origin to be from far-flung places such as Central Asia, the Caucasus mountains, Central Europe, and even the eastern Baltic near what is today Lithuania.

https://greekreporter.com/2023/10/14/ancient-greek-mercenaries-distant-lands-dna-analysis/

[Maik]

Byzantine Army: The World’s Most Formidable Multi-Ethnic Force

The Byzantine Army was among the most powerful and effective military forces in the world from the 7th to the 12th centuries.

Starting to operate around 395 AD, the army of Byzantium was a continuation of the mighty East Roman army, with the commander in chief being the Byzantine emperor.

Subsequently, the Byzantine army followed the structure of the Roman army, known for its strict discipline, rigid organization and skillful battle strategies.

The Byzantine Empire became one of the most important in history, linking Greece, Christian faith and Western Europe.

The Byzantine army from the 11th century and on used foreign mercenaries extensively.

The same practice was followed by the Greek states that emerged after the conquest of Constantinople by the Crusaders in 1204, such as the Empire of Nicaea or the Despotate of Epirus.

The Byzantine Army mercenaries came from literally almost all the nations of the then known world.

Saxons and English first appeared as mercenaries of the Byzantine Army in the 1080s.

https://greekreporter.com/2023/10/14/byzantine-army