Athens, April 24 , 2012
Dear Board of
the ‘‘Amphictyonia’’ Organization
KORYVANTES
Association works for years promoting the study of Ancient Hellenic Warfare
history thus firstly, we would like to express our positive positioning towards
your general appreciation for Ancient Hellenic history.
It is on this firm
basis of sharing an appreciation of Ancient History that we develop the following
thoughts on matters around the formation of “Amphictyonia” Organization.
We actually
stumbled on your site, to be precise: we first saw something about an “Amphictyonia.org’’
in the following recent forum message:
This was
followed by various random posts in the social media network “Facebook”. We
also received some polite suggestions to join from our contacts within the
international world of living history.
Perplexed, by the way we came to be
aware of its existence, we entered in the details as per the “Amphictyonia.org”
web page, and we were instantly struck by the following included in the “Membership
section”, Article Two (2):
“All
groups who attended the first Marathon event in September 2011 ... are considered
‘founding members’ as of their
acceptance of this constitution’’
To which we are
obliged to state the following:
- We attended
the “Marathon 2011” event without any sort of formal/informal information
before or after the event that it would be used as a basis for the
creation of an ‘‘Amphictyonia’’ or any other related Organization.
- We were not
asked to contribute or even brainstorm in the development of the “Amphictyonia’’
and the formation of its Constitution / Membership / Governance sections
- We did
not receive any official invitation to join ‘‘Amphictyonia’’
- We never
authorized any of our members to participate in the forming of ‘‘Amphictyonia’’
or any other related organization.
Given the way this incident unfolded we
are also obliged to underline the following:
- We, members of KORYVANTES Association, are embarrassed by the fact
that after all these years of exemplary work raising the standards of
international reconstruction/re-enactment of Ancient Hellenic Warfare, we
are currently being “used” as potential members of an Organization on
which we are not aware who controls, finances, and administers.
- We, members of KORYVANTES
Association, consider that the
practice of an Organization publishing the potential of KORYVANTES
Association membership, without
any prior discussion and formal invitation is against KORYVANTES Association’s culture. We do feel that this is out of culture of
any association that claims to have a basic level of civic sense.
- We, members of KORYVANTES
Association, are embarrassed by the
hegemonic attitude of the ‘‘Amphictyonia’’ Organization declaration that
dictates rules, terms and conditions to KORYVANTES
Association without formal
notice.
- We, members of KORYVANTES
Association, are embarrassed by the
use of KORYVANTES Association’s participation to the
Having clarified
the above, we want to believe that this situation is the result of ill-advice, following
non-professional public relationship management practices. The idea of an “Amphictyonia”
Organization by itself is something that in a proper context may work to
promote Ancient history and as such we would consider participating.
Thus prior to
our reply we did proceed on a preliminary study holding a discussion of Board
Members of the KORYVANTES Association on the terms as shown in the
Constitution, Membership and League Governance sections of the “Amphictyonia.org’’
web site.
Following our
preliminary study we identified several unclear areas of administrative nature on which we officially request your
reply:
- What is the legal status of “Amphictyonia” Organization? Is there
a legal entity? If not, is it planed to form one? If yes, what type (e.g. government
or non-government organization)?
- In which official authority and under what law is it or will be
registered?
- In case of any short of dispute, which court applies?
- How is the Organization financed?
- Who Administer the Finances, and under which Accounting practice?
- Is there any precisely defined set of requirements for membership?
The terms “hoplite association/club” and “member” vary enormously across
the international hoplite association scene.
- Are “Amphictyonia’s” stated rules enforced universally on all
occasions or are they presented as a lax set of guidelines to be applied
depending on management’s opinions?
While the (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) areas are of administrative nature and
need considerable time and effort to be resolved, the areas (6) (7) quite
stroke us, particularly since as an Association we apply a strict policy on
membership issues.
‘‘Amphictyonia” Organization
Membership declaration states that a
participant Group must have at least 8 members, however, after a brief look in
the Member Group list we found groups on which there is a serious doubt that
they ever presented or can present the required number of members.
Even if the explanation-excuse to this is the infamous “all
participating groups…Marathon 2011 event…etc.’’, we did found such a self-contradictory
deployment and confusion of an organization’s basic rules to be yet another
embarrassment on top of the aforementioned.
The above points require resolution even
prior to presenting them in the opening of a public dialogue that must precede
the formation of such an Organization.
Beyond that basic fact, we have the
obligation to communicate the KORYVANTES Association’s position towards
participation in an organization of the type of ‘‘Amphictyonia”.
For us the foremost point is to conclude
whether the objectives of KORYVANTES
Association and those of ‘‘Amphictyonia’’ Organization may converge and if so,
what are the key issues to be addressed. Please, bear in mind that contrary to
the “Twitter-style” communication styles that some try to enforce, for KORYVANTES Association the following
consists actually a brief (and non-exhaustive) comparative approach.
We try to open the Public Dialogue in
this way since there was simply no such dialogue performed before by anyone
prior to the appearance of “Amphictyonia.org”.
In the next sections follows a detailed
description of 10 issues that we consider of outmost importance. Each issue is
followed by a Question on which we
officially request your reply.
Issue1
KORYVANTES
Association focuses in the scientific reconstruction of Ancient equipment,
Ancient Athletics and in the study of Ancient battle. We focus more in academic
research and study and less in generalist reenactment activities. We started 5 years
ago with very humble COTS (commercial-of-the-self) equipment and evolved
through time to hand-made, exclusive, museum-quality reconstructions. You may enter
to our site where you may refer to a long list of related articles presenting
the activities of our Association.
Using this
exclusive equipment, we research and reconstruct the evolution of Hellenic
military technology and battle tactics from Mycenaean down to Hellenistic Era with
aim to expand our timeline remaining strictly on the aforementioned scope.
Question1: What
is the precise field scope of “Amphictyonia” Organization? To our understanding
apart the narrow framework of 600-300B.c. there is little else to define a
scope.
Issue2
We publish our
findings in Press, Internet and Academic Journals. To be able to perform in
that level and deliver quality, KORYVANTES
Association concentrates on its aforementioned scope that is the better
understanding of ancient Hellenic Warfare.
Question2: What
is the perimeter of “Amphictyonia” Organization? Where is the limit of
inclusion of generalist material e.g. culture, civilian material, civic and
religious life. Where is the limit of inclusion of other cultures – currently
there is a seemingly open door to any non-related culture such as Chinese,
Japanese, Mongol, Bantu-African or Native American), which automatically bring
all the package (civilian life etc.)
Issue3
As an
association we are very precise with what we are doing. It is natural that we
are left puzzled by the contrast of the unnaturally strict timeline with the
loose attitude towards all the rest of concerns.
We
consider this Issue as extremely serious given the context of ‘’Amphictyonia”
Organization. It is not part of our Association’s culture, and not part of our personal culture ingrained by
our civilization, to patronize others in that
way.
We
do promote a neutral-egalitarian viewing of the totality of the Ancient Word
and this not only because “it is fair” but because it is the correct way to
study successfully and in-depth the ancient cultures.
Question3: In
case of the above looseness serves an ‘’all-inclusiveness/all-togetherness’’
why the Organization enforces on all other cultures a civilization-wise
patronizing title and does not employ a more neutral title such as “Federation
of Associations of Ancient Warfare of XX-XX BCE period”?
Issue4
On the “League
Governance” section there is talk about a “Hegemon”(!!!). The Hellenic language
recorded this word in association with memories of calamity, disaster, and the
horrors of ego-centric Tyranny across centuries. Darius was a Hegemon, NOT
Miltiades.
Once the
“Amphictyonia” name was chosen, we cannot see how the term “Prytanis”, was not
used to describe the leader’s position as was the case with these ancient
institutions, and instead the choise of “Hegemon” was preferred. Is this
“creative” innovation resulting out of a linguistic gaffe or is it the result
of an intention to form the organization on such as basis?
Question4: Why
any “founding member” should bow to terms that have the air of being dictated
and why historical accuracy must be modified to suit each ones likes and
dislikes?
Issue5
KORYVANTES Association is
aware that Hellenic Warfare and its evolution cannot be understood by time
restrictions to “popular eras” or by an all-inclusive approach of trying to be
occupied with all aspects of Ancient life. Such practices lead to lesser
understanding and this in turn mathematically results to lesser quality in
terms of constructed material.
The above is at the core and there is good reason to
insist on it. In the field of Ancient Hellenic Warfare we have plenty of
examples to show how the restricted perspective in terms of time framework in
combination with a loose inclusion of all other (un)related material led to a
dry collage of practices of a handful of ancient Hellenic cities that were a
minority of the ancient Greek World. We have plenty of examples to show how all
that led to a flawed overall understanding even if speaking of the particular
short-framed period and context that “Amphictyonia” Organization chose to
“concentrate”.
Question5: Does “Amphictyonia” Organization plan to
enforce strict quality controls on the reconstructed equipment? If yes, are
these controls and processes publically available?
Issue6
KORYVANTES
Association commitment to historical accuracy remains uncompromised on all
levels. “Amphictyonia.org”, article six (6) of the membership section provides
the possibility of appearance of women Hoplites. While historically the case of
women warriors (mostly psiloi) occurred occasionally there is no circumstantial
evidence, let alone proof, that women ever served as Hoplites.
The above point
is a mere example of how far an Association is going on the issue of authenticity.
How authentic our Association’s members would be in reconstructing Xerxes elite
Aethiopian Marines? We only reconstruct and display things that we have
evidence and ability to perform. We do not limit historical accuracy only to
clothes and accessories!
Question6: Does “Amphictyonia”
Organization plan to enforce historical accuracy? If yes, are these controls
and processes publically available? Will Academic standards be included? If
not, will there be at minimum, a defined scale between high and lesser quality?
Issue7
In the Mission page
of the ‘’Amphictyonia.org’’, is mentioned:
“to accurately represent
and teach history through
recreating the lives of average and extraordinary people who lived between 600 BCE and 300 BCE,
while maintaining the highest standards of inclusiveness,
multi-culturalism, safety and honour.
The purpose of the League itself is to provide member groups with a safe, authentic,
and exciting range of events and activities”
In our
understanding, Hoplites of the 600Bc – 300 Bc era, had nothing to do with
inclusiveness, multiculturalism and excitement. Ancient warfare was anything
but a fairy-tale.
Hoplites were Citizens
tied with family bonds, they were a social structure representing the means of
City/States to defend their territories, to expand them if possible, to secure
resources and keep commercial supply routes open. Their solely task was to keep
and their societies and families alive.
Question 7A: Can
you please provide some documentation to support the “inclusiveness,
multiculturalism and excitement nature of the 600 Bc to 300 Bc Hoplites?
Question 7B: If
haphazardly claiming that this is not possibly recreated in modern era (a
non-argument as this is precisely what we are doing!), then can you provide us
an explanation of how an “exiting all-happy ‘’Amphictyonia’’ Organization will
convey, even remotely, the realities of ancient warfare and how the message it will
be passing will be educational for the general public?
Issue8
Streching the limits of logic, even if one set aside
the motley crew “rough-reenactment” style enforcing unhistorical perceptions,
we are still left wondering of the choice of name for this Organisation this
time from another perspective, especially following that choice of “Hegemon”
title which indeed seems to project the basis of “Amphictyonia” Organization.
Amphictyonias
were religious institutions supporting Alliances of Greek City/States and no
matter political connotations (like in all religious Organizations) they
remained religious.
Naming your Organization
as “Amphictyonia” is the direct equivalent of naming a Middle-Age respective Organization
as “Patriarchate”
or “Papacy”. We find that no such Organisation has the right to make use of
titles and definitions of religious institutions.
We find the repeated choice of names and
titles following a haphazard unintended / deliberate misuse of Hellenic
language and Ancient Hellenic religious institutions and titles both
inexplicable and offending.
Question8: What
are the connotations behind the choice of name of “Amphictyonia’’ Organization?
Does this arise from an intention to involve religious connotations or by sheer
ignorance of what these basic ancient religious institutions were all about?
Issue9
If the above
general loose atmosphere and treatment of issues conveyed by “Amphictyonia” Organization
will have inevitably an impact on the quality output, let alone reducing reenactment
to a mere expression of postmodern self-indulgent infantilism, the following
are far less amusing, there are far more serious and have enormous
repercussions in the world of reconstruction-reenactment and not only.
KORYVANTES Association rules and constitution strictly prohibit
us to participate to events that promote political or religious activity. Some
of the aims expressed in the section “Our Mission” oppose our rules and
constitution.
While KORYVANTES Association congratulates
all healthy involvement of any state or private initiative in the correct,
scientifically accurate and respectful re-construction/re-enactment of Ancient
Hellenic Warfare, Technology and Culture, it is strictly forbidden to follow any
national/international state/private-endorsed project detected to utilizing Ancient
Hellenic History in a perverted way for the promotion of unrelated modern affairs.
This is an
extremely serious issue that plagues the reenactment scene worldwide and we do
notice a particularly worrying laxity among Associations and their members worldwide
for which an association such as “Amphictyonia” has to have a clear position.
Absence of a position
actively and universally enforced, automatically implies high risks of all natures,
foremost legal and ethical, not only for member associations as participating
groups but actually for each of their members as individuals.
Question9: What
is the position of “Amphictyonia’’ Organization? Is it aim of “Amphictyonia” Organization
to use reenactment for promoting various agendas (political activities such as
promotion of state, institutional, private propagandas, think-currents,
multiculturalism, etc.)?
Issue10
KORYVANTES Association
Hoplites are NOT re-enactor Hoplites. For us the word Hoplite means “Citizen
Soldier”, not just an academic/philosophical term, but the reality of our
lives. We do not re-enact citizens soldiers because we Are Citizen Soldiers.
The history upon which some people plan to make a spectacle by stretching
historical accuracy to “fit all” is our heritage and is not “living history”
but a 3000 year old tradition in our Geography.
KORYVANTES Association members are all real Hoplites, who have
attended their National Military Service, registered in the ranks of their
state’s army, capable and trained to bear and use weapons. All have served in
first-rank units of their state’s army and some have extensive experience in
war zones.
As long as it is
difficult to develop “safety certificates” for Hoplite training and as long as
Hoplite activities will remain inherently dangerous, we strongly believe that
the only way to ensure safety is to have trained men who hold the values of discipline,
respect and pride to high ground and who enter in no state of over-excitement
and playful-mode. The primary talk of “requiring insurances” points rather to
shedding of responsibilities rather than to any a proactive approach towards
total safety.
Question10: Is
it the aim of “Amphictyonia” Organization to
enforce rules that prohibit people non-capable (in terms of discipline,
patience, physical endurance let alone basic technical skills) to re-enact
Hoplites and use weapons? If not, how will ’‘Amphictyonia’’ Organization
ensure the safety of participants and spectators?
KORYVANTES
Association members view the above list of points as anything but exhaustive
and that this had to be the very starting point prior to initiation of any
formal talks on the creation of an Organization of the type “Amphictyonia” Organization
aims to be.
Till you provide sound replies to our questions presented inhere, we are
kindly asking you to modify Article two (2), Membership section, Amphictyonia.org web
page… as soon as
possible
FROM:
“All groups
who attended the first Marathon event in
September 2011, ... are
considered ‘founding members’ as
of their acceptance of this constitution…”
TO:
“Groups who
attended the first Marathon event in
September 2011, and who are
willing to join, ... are considered ‘founding members’ as
of their acceptance of this constitution…”
The above change
aims at representing clearly the reality and avoids implication of any short of
unaware Parties present in the Marathon 2011 event.
We inform you
that we consider this conversation public and we will post it online as we feel
there is nothing confidential or secretive in this exchange of ideas.
With honor
Spyridon Bakas, President
Aliades Antonis, Vice President
Stefanos
Skarmitzos, Authenticity Officer
KORYVANTES Association
