Association KORYVATES reference on the lecture of Proffesor Bryan E. Burns,in the University of New Hampshire (USA), April 29 2015

The Historical Studies Association "KORYVANTES" is honoured to announce it's reference in the lecture of Proffesor Bryan E. Burns , Associate Professor of Classical Studies in the Wellesley College, that took place in the University of New Hampshire (USA), April 29 2015.  The lecture entitled "The Mycenaeans and Minoans Today: Revivals of Bronze Age Greece" described the impressions of Bronze Age Greek world in modern society and how contemporary world considers the multidimentional aspects of the exotic Mycenaean and Minoan society. In a small excerpt after the 10:00' of the attached video he mentiones the Experimental reconstruction of the Dendra cuirass conducted by our Association in year 2012 along with our broaded research and experimentation on 30 centuries of Greek Warfare.

Proffesor Burns specialises is Aegean prehistory : the study of early cultural phases in the Greek mainland and Aegean islands, in particular the Late Bronze Age societies of Minoan Crete and Mycenaean Greece (ca. 1700 - 1100 BCE)..He is actively engaged in archeological fieldwork and he is currently a co-director of the Eastern Boeotia Archeological Project. This surface survey studies the ancient settlements in a broad agricultural plain in the region of Boeotia/central Greece. His lectures in the Wellesley College cover a broad scope of topics in Greek and Roman archeology, including thematic courses on cities, ancient spectacles, and the representation of myths in text and art.

KORYVANTES in the "TIMES AND EPOCHS - ROME" Festival, Moscow /Russia , June 5 -7 2015

The Association of Historical Studies KORYVANTES is pleased to announce its successful participation in the International Archaeological Festival "Time and Epochs - Rome" which was held in Moscow from 5 to June 7, 2015.

The festival "Time and Epochs-Rome" was organized under the auspices of the Ministries of Culture, Tourism and Education of the Russian Federation and it's considered to be the largest thematic festival on the planet.

It was held in the Kolomenskoye park of the Russian capital and attracted the attention of 200,000 visitors. The theme of the festival was related to the historical period of the Roman Republic representing military units of Rome and its rivals (Celts, Germanic tribes, Gauls, Realms of the Bosporian Kingdoms, Thracians, Dacians, etc.). The festival hosted some of the best European Living History Associations from Italy, Russia, France Germany, Spain, Poland, Netherlands, Hungary, Switzerland, Austria with hundreds of participants. The festival was conducted under the technical support of archaeologists and historians applying strict historical accuracy rules for the participants.

Participation in the Videoclip of "SACRED BLOOD" band : "To Lands No Man Hath Seen" regarding Bronze Age Warfare

The Association of Historical Studies KORYVANTES is pleased to announce it's successful collaboration with the SACRED BLOOD music band, on the new videoclip shootings of the "To Lands No Man Hath Seen" song which is included in their new album "Argonautica". The "Sacred Blood"band activates with great success in the Epic Power Metal music with emerging dynamic and international audience.

The song recounts the legendary journey of the Argonauts to the unknown worlds (Propontis ,  Land of Vevrykes, lake Tritonis) and their heroic battles all the way to Colchis. The Association of Historical Studies KORYVANTES restored stunning scenes of warriors of the Aegean Bronze Age under the guidance of director Vangelis Gialamas of  the"Fragile Studios". The videoclip is expected to be released in the upcoming months.

La société française ARMAE article sur l’Association d’histoire vivante "Koryvantes"

L’Association d’histoire vivante " Koryvantes " tient à remercier la société française ARMAE, un des plus grands fournisseurs de reproductions d'armes et d'armures historiques dans le monde, pour son article étendu et élogieux sur le travail et les activités de notre Association.

La société ARMAE, basée à Lyon, avec plus de dix ans d'expérience dans le domaine des équipements de reconstitution historique , favorise des copies de haute qualité des armes et de l'équipement de la Grèce antique , de l’Empire Romaine , de Moyen-âge et de la Renaissance , sous la direction technique d'archéologues et consultants historiques.

"ARMAE" Organisation article on Association of Historical Studies "KORYVANTES"

The Association of Historical Studies "Koryvantes"  would like to thank the French company Armae, one of the largest worldwide companies supplying re-enactors, for extensive complimentary article on the activities and work of our Association.

The "ARMAE", based in Lyons, with over ten years experience in the field of equipment of historical re-enactment, promotes high quality copies of ancient Greek, Roman, Renaissance, Medieval weapons and equipment, under the technical guidance of archaeologists and historical consultants.

KORYVANTES participation in the International Festival “The Arrow of Ancient Kiev” 4-6 October 2013, Kiev Ukraine

The “KORYVANTES” Association of Historical Studies, by accepting the kind invitation of the Ukrainian Traditional Archery Federation, participated successfully with a 4-member team in the International Traditional Archery Festival named “The Arrow of Ancient Kiev” on 4th to 6th October 2013. The event took place in the reconstructed Medieval Living History Castle “The Kievan Rus Park” in the vicinity of Kiev, 34 km from the city.

The Kievan Rus Park” was created with aim to reconstruct a Slavonic fortified settlement (Kremlin) of the period between the 5th to 8th centuries A.D. with respect to historical authenticity. The general atmosphere reminds you of medieval Russia.

“KORYVANTES” represent Hellenic Traditional Archery in the “Gümüşhacıköy 2013” International Festival , June 22-23 2013 in Amasya/Turkey

After our very successful presentation in Istanbul "Necmeddin Okyay" Festival  the “Koryvantes” archers continued their successful appearances in the Pontic Amasya /Turkey.  The Archery team of the Koryvantes Association of Historical Studies participated in the International Traditional Archery contest that took place in the homeland of the Ancient Geographer Stabo in 22-23 June 2013.

The competition helded in the city of Gümüşhacıköy under the auspice of the Turkish Traditional Archery Federation , in a specially prepared location at the foothills of the Canik Mountain. The local authorities also strived to make the life of the contestants as easy as possible.

Representing for once more the Greek Traditional Archery , our archers made again good impression in an event that gathered the attention of the International Traditional Archery community. By using reconstructed equipment and bows of high historical accuracy standards presented again in International event 33 centuries of  Greek Martial and MilitaryTradition from early antiquity to late medieval period.

The high level of the competition did not prevented our archers to stand their ground between 350 contestants. Kostas Papantoniou & Spyros Bakas managed to gather high ranks in special categories.

Athletes from 25 Turkish Traditional Archery Clubs and 200 athletes from 18 countries attended with their traditional costumes and armour. Countries with long archery traditions like Korea, Mongolia, China and Hungary were present, while new uprising powers like Bulgaria, Malaysia, Poland and Taiwan made their appearance .

Continuing our experimental research on the usability of our reconstructed equipment , our archers managed to draw useful conclusions. Archer Giannis Tsilikis successfully reconstructed the late Byzantine Navy Marins from Laconia and Crete. Archer Evangellos Voggelis revives the legend of the Argonauts as he managed to shoot with a reconstructed armor from the late Bronze Age. Archer Vladimiros Gavakis reconstructed an officer of the Great Komnenoi and validated our conclusions from the Istanbul contest.

Our Association’s participation in the contest was once more for us a chance to see old friends and make new ones. It was also a valuable opportunity for our members to gain international experience and meet the latest developments in the Traditional Archery Community.

Our Association would like to thank Mr. Hussametin Aydin, responsible for organizing the Festival , and our good friends Eren Kalinbacak, Metin Ates and Yasar Metin for their endless support and encouragement.

Association of Historical Studies KORYVANTES

NEW VIDEO : Association "KORYVANTES" Participation on "GALLO - ROMAN Days " 2012 , Vienne- France . June 2 & 3 2012

ΝΕΟ ΒΙΝΤΕΟ , απο την Συμμετοχή του Συλλόγου μας στο Αρχαιολογικό Φεστιβάλ "GALLO-ROMAN DAYS 2012" , στην πόλη Vienne της Γαλλίας. 2 & 3 Ιουνίου 2012 

 NEW VIDEO : Association "KORYVANTES" Participation on "GALLO - ROMAN Days " 2012 Αrchaeological Festival  , Vienne- France . June 2 & 3 2012.

 

Περιοδικό "ΜΑΧΕΣ & ΣΤΡΑΤΙΩΤΕΣ" , τεύχος Ιανουαρίου-Φεβρουαρίου 2013

Αγαπητοί φίλοι , στο περιοδικό "ΜΑΧΕΣ & ΣΤΡΑΤΙΩΤΕΣ" , τεύχος Ιανουαρίου-Φεβρουαρίου 2013 θα βρείτε το εξαιρετικό πολυσέλιδο άρθρο του Ερευνητή και μέλους του Συλλόγου μας κου Στέφανου Σκαρμίντζου με θέμα την Μονομαχία στην Αρχαία Ελλάδα.  

Με την χρήση  φωτογραφιών μελών του Συλλόγου μας οι οποίοι φέρουν μοναδικής ποιότητας ανακατασκευασμένο οπλισμό , εξετάζονται οι περιπτώσεις μονομαχίας στην ελληνική Αρχαιότητα ως τρόπους επίλυσης προσωπικών διαφορών αλλά και κρατικών θεμάτων, όπως επέβαλλε το Ηρωϊκό Ιδεώδες αλλά και η νοοτροπία των πολεμιστών της εποχής.

Στο εξώφυλλο του περιοδικου φιλοξενειται η καλλιτεχνική απεικόνιση Πολεμιστή της Υστερης εποχής του Χαλκού απο τον κο Κώστα Νικέλη, βασισμένη σε προτότυπη πειραματικη ανακατασκευη Μυκηναϊκου Οπλισμου απο τον Σύλλογό μας. 

Μήν το χάσετε.!

The Exotic Weapons of The Bronze Age Mycenaean Warriors

Αλιάδης Αντώνης,  Σπύρος Μπάκας - Σύλλογος Ιστορικών Μελετών ΚΟΡΥΒΑΝΤΕΣ

The stereotype about the Homeric Heroes is about well armoured Warriors with swords and spears fighting in duels or primitive phalanxes/loose formations. Some of them were exceptional archers using composite bows (eg. Pandaros, Odysseus). Αrchaeological findings among Egyptians, Mitannians, Caananites, Hittites, Summerians present us a large variety of "exotic" weapons like periform maces, disc maces, sickle swords, throwing sticks, heavy naval spears, etc.

The following is a short summary of the study found in the following page. It will brief on details and insight about four experimental reconstructions of Mediterranean Bronze age exotic weapons and three panoplies (armour) that KORYVANTES Association has worked on since 2011, as well as provide a brief on experiences from testing them as part of the bronze age Warrior armour system(s). 

Axes - axini

Mycenaeans were using types of crescent axes, piercing axes but also the so called epsilon axe, which is a probably an evolution of the Egyptian duck-bill axe. Minoan axes were typically double blade axes, while there are strong arguments that those axes were ceremonial/votive or associated with female ritual figures. Mycenaeans and Minoans also have used decorated single bladed axes, as documented by archaeological findings from Crete to North Europe. Another interesting axe design comes from Hittites, as depicted on the inner side of the King's gate at Hattusa. The shape of the axe reminds double warthog teeth, thus we refer to it as warthog axe. Usage of battle axes (both one-handed and two-handed) is a necessity for the period Warriors as effective plate and scale armour had been developed and used (i.e. Dendra Plate Armour, Thebes-Arsenal armour, Hittite scale armour, etc) - similar weapons are used to defeat 15^th century West European medieval knights armour, as well as used by /against Byzantine Catafracts and sailors.

It is a fact though that Homer describes briefly some unusual (and less-noble) weapons, like axes clubs (Iliad 7.138) and aksini (Iliad 15.711). War clubs maces were typical weapons of the Bronze era. Homer describes it as great bar clubbed of iron (Iliad 7.138). Findings of spherical or periphorm maces document their usage in all armies of the era (Egypt, Hittite Kingdom, North Europe, Mycenaeans, etc). Various materials were used to build war maces (iron, bronze, stone), depending of the social status and financials of the Warrior. Some archaeological findings though (Agia Triada near Phaistos/Crete) present us some exceptional examples of mallet war maces.

Mycenaean noble warrior and followers. The warrior is armed with a typical Mycaenenan “epsilon blade” axe based on exhibits from National Archaeological Museum. His follower is armed with an "axini" reinforced with bronze spikes. Courtesy of Living history Association “Koryvantes”

Homer makes a distinct reference to an unusual weapon, the aksini. It was used to attack Menelaus, who survived the attack and killed the Trojan Warrior (Iliad 13.613), so there is a clear distinction between war clubs / axes and axini. It is a fact also that are not concrete archaeological findings, documentation and written evidence regarding aksini usage and shape, this has lead to a confusion with battle axe. The word axini is used even today in modern Greek language to describe an agricultural tool (pickaxe). Some advise from linguistic experts is needed to clarify the meaning of axini in Ancient Greek eras. But we may assume that improvised agricultural tools were use as weapons by poorer Warriors, this is a safe guess. What is interesting is that Kanellopoulos Museum in Athens exhibits an interesting artifact dated in the 9^th century bc: a heavy hammer with long-horned ending, similar to modern axini. If this was a weapon of the era, was clearly designed to puncture through heavy armour or grab/tear apart opponent plate armour, just like the West European horseman picks.

Modern reconstruction of Mycenaean Warrior armed with “axina” Based on exhibits from Kanellopoulos Museum and National Archaeological Museum Courtesy of Living history Association “Koryvantes”

Bronze Age Mycaenean technology was capable to produce highly effective plate and scale armors for the warriors in massive numbers. It is a safe guess to assume that Kanelopoulos Museum artifact was a weapon with the necessary shape and mass to deliver effective crushing blows and perforate composite armors of the era.

Bronze Age Mycenaean technology was capable of producing highly effective plate and scale armours for the Warriors in massive numbers, as Mycenaean and Minoan logistics documents reveal. It is a safe guess to assume that Kanellopoulos Museum artifact was a weapon with the necessary shape and mass to deliver effective crushing blows and perforate the composite panoplies of the era.

Navmaho xisto (?) - heavy naval spear / boarding pick

Homer refers to navmaha xista (ναύμαχα ξυστά) - boarding picks (Iliad. Ο. 388 - 389, 676 - 678), as special weapons of Achaeans for naval warfare. Our inspiration for this type of weapons was an image from the exceptional site of Andrea Salimbeti. The peculiar bronze double-headed blade is dated around 16th Century BC found at Agios Onoufrios near Phaistos, Crete. The shape of the artifact loosely reminds an agricultural tool called δικράνι - dikrani, some refer to the artifact with this term.

Officially this artifact has been interpreted as a fish-spear. This may have been used in conjunction with a net, or on its own from an open boat. We assume that was used like a harpoon to kill captured large fishes (swordfish) or sea mammals (seals, whales, dophins) - the heavyweight spearhead fit perfectly in this scenario (vertical hit from boat decks downwards to sea level), multiplying the forces and delivering devastating power to penetrate the thick skin of the pray. Also the shape of the spearhead seem to be ideal for the role, though we conducted no tests for this.

Another interesting interpretation for this artifact is that is a social or religious symbol, as the shape is similar to the most characteristic Minoan religious symbol, the horns of the "sacred bull"

For the full study, please refer to the the following page.

Λαμία

Αντώνης Αλιάδης Γιώργος Κανακάρης Κάτσος Γιώργος Σπύρος Μπάκας Λαμία Κορύβαντες Νικόλαος Κλεισιάρης Λαμία Κορύβαντες Παραδοσιακή Τοξοβολία 

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