ΠΡΟΓΡΑΜΜΑΤΙΣΜΕΝΕΣ ΕΚΔΗΛΩΣΕΙΣ

ΠΡΟΣΦΑΤΕΣ ΕΚΔΗΛΩΣΕΙΣ

SAGEEP 2009, Fort Worth, Texas

Geophysics in the Search for Homer’s Ithaca

Greg Hodges, Chief Geophysicist, Fugro Airborne Surveys

The Odysseus Unbound project includes analysis of the Paliki peninsula for supporting evidence that it was once the island of Ithaca, home of Odysseus. Geophysical surveys including airborne EM (magnetometry, conductivity and LIDAR), marine seismic surveys (sidescan sonar, multibeam and sub-bottom profiling) and ground-based techniques (resistivity, magnetometry, gravity and seismic refraction) are being used to read the geological history of this island over the last 3200 years.

SAGEEP is the Symposium on the Application of Geophysics to Environmental and Engineering Problems, organised by the Environmental and Engineering Geophysical Society (EEGS).

Click here for Program - Venue - Registration

This presentation is expected to be delivered as a Keynote Session on the morning of Tuesday March 31. Non-registrants wishing to attend for this talk only should check with the organisers whether this is permitted.

Shell University Lecture Series - 2009, Imperial College, London SW7 2AZ

Where was Odysseus' homeland? The geological, geomorphological and geophysical evidence for relocating Homer’s Ithaca.

Professor John Underhill, University of Edinburgh

John Underhill has been leading the scientific tests of Robert Bittlestone's theory that the Paliki peninsula in western Kefalonia might have been a free-standing island as recently as 3,000 years ago. Confirmation of that hypothesis would have dramatic ramifications for our understanding of Homeric Greece.

17.30 Lecture begins; 18:30 Short reception; 19:30 Depart.

Entry to all Shell London Lecture Series events is free to all, but by ticket only. To obtain a ticket please contact Alys Hilbourne (alys.hilbourne@geolsoc.org.uk, +44 (0) 20 7432 0981). Please note that due to the popularity of the lecture series, tickets will be allocated on a monthly basis.

Further details are available at the Geological Society website.

This presentation is a private academic event. Non-members wishing to attend should check with the organisers whether this is permitted.

Lyell Lecture, University of London

Where was Odysseus’ homeland? The geological, geomorphological and geophysical evidence for relocating Homer’s Ithaca.

Professor John Underhill, University of Edinburgh

John Underhill has been leading the scientific tests of Robert Bittlestone's theory that the Paliki peninsula in western Kefalonia might have been a free-standing island as recently as 3,000 years ago. Confirmation of that hypothesis would have dramatic ramifications for our understanding of Homeric Greece.

Thursday March 5 18:00 - 19:00. Department of Earth Sciences, Queens Building, Royal Holloway and Bedford New College , University of London, Egham Hill, Egham, Surrey TW20 0EX.

Click here to read about Charles Lyell. Click here for the department office.

This presentation is a private academic event. Non-members wishing to attend should check with the organisers whether this is permitted.

Edinburgh University Geology Society

Where was Odysseus’ homeland? The geological, geomorphological and geophysical evidence for relocating Homer’s Ithaca.

Professor John Underhill, University of Edinburgh

John Underhill has been leading the scientific tests of Robert Bittlestone's theory that the Paliki peninsula in western Kefalonia might have been a free-standing island as recently as 3,000 years ago. Confirmation of that hypothesis would have dramatic ramifications for our understanding of Homeric Greece.

Tuesday March 3 at 15:00. Main Lecture Room, Grant Institute of Earth Science, School of Geosciences, The University of Edinburgh, The King's Buildings, West Mains Road, Edinburgh, EH9 3JW.

This presentation is a private society event: non-members wishing to attend should check with the organisers or contact the School of Geosciences.

"After coming along to your talk, I feel inspired again as to why I am doing my degree!! Thanks so much for such a refreshing and exciting talk; and I know I am not the only one who felt like that!"

The 52nd Irish Geological Research Meeting, Dublin

Where was Odysseus’ homeland? The geological, geomorphological and geophysical evidence for relocating Homer’s Ithaca.

Professor John Underhill, University of Edinburgh

John Underhill has been leading the scientific tests of Robert Bittlestone's theory that the Paliki peninsula in western Kefalonia might have been a free-standing island as recently as 3,000 years ago. Confirmation of that hypothesis would have dramatic ramifications for our understanding of Homeric Greece.

Saturday Feb 21, 18:00 - 19:00. Walton Theatre, Arts Building, Trinity College Dublin.

Provisional IGRM Programme. IGA Event Listing. Further details: David Chew

"Thank you for so generously giving us your time, energy and enthusiasm. Your lecture was a tour de force - it absolutely hit the spot. Right or wrong, it is a wonderful hypothesis to be testing."

"Thank you for a riveting talk on Saturday night. I turned around to look at the audience towards the end of your talk, and everyone seemed captivated to the very last minute."

The Sedgwick Club, Cambridge

The Geological, Geophysical and Geomorphic Evidence for relocating Odysseus' Homeland, Ancient Ithaca.

Professor John Underhill, University of Edinburgh

John Underhill has been leading the scientific tests of Robert Bittlestone's theory that the Paliki peninsula in western Kefalonia might have been a free-standing island as recently as 3,000 years ago. Confirmation of that hypothesis would have dramatic ramifications for our understanding of Homeric Greece.

Monday Feb 16, 17:00 - 18:00, Harker Room 1, Department of Earth Sciences, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EQ

For information about the Sedgwick Club contact Anne Forbes

There is no charge for admission and non-members are also welcome, but this is subject to limited room capacity.

Venue details.

Geological Society of London, Burlington House, W1J 0BG

Where was Odysseus' homeland? The geological, geomorphological and geophysical evidence for relocating Homer’s Ithaca.

Professor John Underhill, University of Edinburgh

*** The first presentation of this lecture on October 2 2008 was over-subscribed and so this repeat event has been arranged to enable more delegates to attend. Early reservation is recommended: see details below. ***

John Underhill has been leading the scientific tests of Robert Bittlestone's theory that the Paliki peninsula in western Kefalonia might have been a free-standing island as recently as 3,000 years ago. Confirmation of that hypothesis would have dramatic ramifications for our understanding of Homeric Greece.

17.30 Tea, coffee and biscuits; 18.00 Lecture begins; 19.00 Short reception; 20.00 Depart.

Entry to all Shell London Lecture Series events is free to all, but by ticket only. To obtain a ticket please contact Alys Hilbourne (alys.hilbourne@geolsoc.org.uk, +44 (0) 20 7432 0981). Please note that due to the popularity of the lecture series, tickets will be allocated on a monthly basis.

Further details are available at the Geological Society website.

"Having read all about your work on this amazing Project in Geoscientist, I knew that I would enjoy your lecture - and I did! Very well done!"

"Having read Homer and had a couple of hours ashore in Ithaca 15 years go, I really enjoyed your lecture which was a model of clarity, audibility and content for a layman like me! It was the best one of all the 10+ Shell lectures I have attended."

The Scottish Hellenic Society of Edinburgh

Edinburgh University, Faculty Room South, David Hume Tower, George Square, Edinburgh EH8 9JX

The Geological, Geophysical and Geomorphic Evidence for relocating Odysseus' Homeland, Ancient Ithaca.

Professor John Underhill, University of Edinburgh

John Underhill has been leading the scientific tests of Robert Bittlestone's theory that the Paliki peninsula in western Kefalonia might have been a free-standing island as recently as 3,000 years ago. Confirmation of that hypothesis would have dramatic ramifications for our understanding of Homeric Greece.

Doors open 18:30. Lecture starts 19:00. Further information and reservations: Dr Katerina Kolotourou.

SHS President Professor Keith Rutter writes: "What a wonderful evening you gave us yesterday... Your positive and enthusiastic experiences of Greece were just what the Hellenic Society exists to promote, and we look forward to hearing of further results in due course. Meanwhile all the very best for this year's investigations."

Royal Grammar School, Guildford, Surrey

WHERE WAS HOMER'S ITHACA?

It’s the oldest marine adventure in the world. It was already ancient history when Aristotle and Socrates were in the cradle. It has spawned a hundred spin-offs and inspired writers and artists, philosophers and poets, statesmen and soldiers for the last three thousand years. It’s Homer's original Odyssey: a Bronze Age blockbuster and a cornerstone of Western civilisation. And not surprisingly, most people have presumed that Odysseus’ homeland of Ithaca is as imaginary as Ithilien in Lord of the Rings.

Robert Bittlestone, James Diggle and John Underhill think they’re wrong. On Monday January 19 the authors of Odysseus Unbound: The Search for Homer's Ithaca will present their proposal and the latest discoveries on the island of Cephalonia that can help us decide on whether it really is the Ithaca described in Homer's Odyssey. No prior knowledge of the subject is assumed although those studying classics or geology will find it especially relevant. The talk will be illustrated throughout with slides, film clips and satellite images.

Parents, students and staff from RGS and neighbouring schools are warmly invited to attend, subject to capacity. There is no charge for admission and the presentation will start at 7.00 p.m. After the talk the speakers will be available to sign copies of their book "Odysseus Unbound: The Search for Homer's Ithaca" which will be offered to attendees at the special price of £25.

For a location map, click here. For further information and to reserve your seats, contact Head of Classics Jimmy Pressley, j.pressley@rgs-guildford.co.uk

Click here for further details. A4 leaflet. Display poster.

James Diggle, John Underhill and Robert Bittlestone spoke to a packed lecture hall of enthusiastic students and parents, ending in a book-signing for "Odysseus Unbound". Jimmy Pressley writes:

"Thank you for coming to Guildford to deliver such an inspirational talk to the RGS Classics Society. As a department, we are well aware - in the current climate - of the importance of the image of Classics and the future of classical subjects. Trying to inspire and enthuse the students both inside and outside the classroom; trying to nurture a love of learning; trying to stretch our students to explore areas beyond the immediate limitations of the syllabus are all central to our belief. Your talk did so much to achieve each of these goals. It is testament to the attraction of the theory and the subject matter that such a large audience attended.; the cross-curricular nature of the talk certainly ensured it appealed to a diverse range of interests. Parents, boys and colleagues have been effusive in their praise for your presentation and a running theme has been a desire to see where the journey takes you to next. I really am extremely grateful to you all for your time and effort and I wish you all the very best for the future".

Wimbledon Bookfest at Southside House, 3-4 Woodhayes Road, Wimbledon Common, London SW19 4RJ. +44 (0) 20 8540 2353

Where was Homer's Ithaca ?

Robert Bittlestone

Θα διεξαχθεί μια ομιλία σχετικά με το βιβλίο και το σχέδιο έρευνας κατά το δεύτερο χρόνο στο καινούργιο Wimbledon Bookfest. Η ημερομηνία θα καθοριστεί σύντομα και περαιτέρω λεπτομέρειες της εκδήλωσης είναι διαθέσιμες από την Margaret Lewisohn.

Doors open 7.00pm, event starts 7.30pm. Duration: 1 hour (refreshments available).

Tickets at £7.50 are on sale from the Polka Theatre Box Office, book online here or call +44 (0) 20 8543 4888.

Location details and map.

Geological Society of London, Burlington House, W1J 0BG

Where was Odysseus' homeland? The geological, geomorphological and geophysical evidence for relocating Homer’s Ithaca.

Professor John Underhill, University of Edinburgh

John Underhill has been leading the geological, geophysical and geomorphological tests of the theory that the Paliki peninsula in western Kefalonia might have been a free-standing island as recently as 3,000 years ago. Confirmation of that hypothesis would have dramatic ramifications for our understanding of classical Greece.

17.30 Tea, coffee and biscuits; 18.00 Lecture begins; 19.00 Short reception; 20.00 Depart.

Entry to all Shell London Lecture Series events is free to all, but by ticket only. To obtain a ticket please contact Alys Johnson (alys.johnson@geolsoc.org.uk, +44 (0) 20 7432 0981). Please note that due to the popularity of the lecture series, tickets will be allocated on a monthly basis.

Further details are available at the Geological Society website.

November Update: Watch John Underhill's lecture here

The Geological Society Bicentenary

Regional University Shell Lecture Series - Leeds University

Where was Homer’s Ithaca?

Professor John Underhill, University of Edinburgh

The talk will summarise the results of all the geological, geophysical and geomorphic methods that have been used over the past three years in an attempt to test the validity of Strabo's Channel on Kefalonia as a historical reality. The results may yet provide us with an elegant solution to a 3,000 year old mystery.

Contact jane@see.leeds.ac.uk

"Many thanks for your visit today. Your lecture was a great success and everyone enjoyed talking with you."

The Geological Society of Glasgow

The Scottish Hellenic Society

G12 at Gilmorehill, 9 University Avenue, Glasgow G12 8QQ

Where was Odysseus’ homeland? The geological, geomorphological and geophysical evidence for relocating Homer’s Ithaca.

Professor John Underhill, University of Edinburgh

The talk will summarise the results of all the geological, geophysical and geomorphic methods that have been used over the past three years in an attempt to test the validity of Strabo's Channel on Kefalonia as a historical reality. The results may yet provide us with an elegant solution to a 3,000 year old mystery.

Contact geolsocglas@uk2.net or elaineshearer@btinternet.com

"Many thanks for your excellent talk at the Glasgow Geol. Soc. last night. Everyone I talked to was full of praise for it. I hope the work in Greece continues to go well and I look forward to seeing the results."

"Great to meet you at last. I very much enjoyed your talk (and the chat beforehand). Your lecture went down well with both groups - you are an excellent story-teller."

Βιβλιοπωλείο Ελευθερουδάκη, Πανεπιστημίου 17, Αθήνα

Οδυσσέας Λυόμενος : Η Αναζήτηση της Ομηρικής Ιθάκης

Ο ΡOΜΠΕΡΤ ΜΠIΤΛΣΤΟΟΥΝ (Robert Bittlestone), ο Ιδρυτής της Metapraxis Ltd.

Ο ΤΖEΙΜΣ ΝΤΙΓΚΛ (James Diggle), Καθηγητής Αρχαίων Ελληνικών και Λατινικών στο Πανεπιστήμιο του Κέμπριτζ

Ο ΗΛΙΑΣ ΤΟΥΜΑΣΑΤΟΣ (μεταφραστής), ο Διευθυντής της Κοργιαλενείου Βιβλιοθήκης Αργοστολίου, στην Κεφαλονιά

Θα επισκεφθούν το Βιβλιοπωλείο το Σάββατο το πρωί, όπου, με αφορμή την έκδοση στην ελληνική γλώσσα του βιβλίου Οδυσσέας Λυόμενος (Εκδόσεις Πολύτροπον, Αθήνα, Δεκέμβριος 2007) θα έχουν τη χαρά να γνωρίσουν από κοντά το αναγνωστικό κοινό και την ομάδα του βιβλιοπωλείου και να υπογράψουν το βιβλίο τους.

Εάν επιθυμείτε να εξασφαλίσετε αντίγραφο του βιβλίου για την ημέρα της επίσκεψης των συγγραφέων στους χώρους του βιβλιοπωλείου, παρακαλείσθε να επικοινωνήσετε στο τηλέφωνο του Βιβλιοπωλείου Ελευθερουδάκης, +30 210 3258 440.

Ο James Diggle, ο Robert Bittlestone και ο Ηλίας Τουμασάτος συναντήθηκαν με πολλούς από τους πελάτες του Ελευθερουδάκη, υποστηριζόμενοι από την Πώλα Γιαννίκα από το βιβλιοπωλείο και από την Ρόνη Γκανιάρη και την Μαρία Χαραλάμπη από το Πολύτροπον.

Μουσείο Μπενάκη, Κουμπάρη 1 & Βασ. Σοφίας, Αθήνα

Οδυσσέας Λυόμενος : Η Αναζήτηση της Ομηρικής Ιθάκης

Ο ΡOΜΠΕΡΤ ΜΠIΤΛΣΤΟΟΥΝ (Robert Bittlestone), ο Ιδρυτής της Metapraxis Ltd.

Ο ΤΖEΙΜΣ ΝΤΙΓΚΛ (James Diggle), Καθηγητής Αρχαίων Ελληνικών και Λατινικών στο Πανεπιστήμιο του Κέμπριτζ

Ο ΗΛΙΑΣ ΤΟΥΜΑΣΑΤΟΣ (μεταφραστής), ο Διευθυντής της Κοργιαλενείου Βιβλιοθήκης Αργοστολίου, στην Κεφαλονιά

Petros Stathatos, Chief Executive, Εκδόσεις Πολύτροπον

Θα παρουσιάσουν την ελληνική έκδοση του βιβλίου Οδυσσέας Λυόμενος (Εκδόσεις Πολύτροπον, Αθήνα, Δεκέμβριος 2007) και θα ακολουθήσει σύντομη ενημέρωση για την πορεία των ερευνών στην Κεφαλονιά, στο διάστημα των πέντε ετών, από την στιγμή της έναρξής τους, το 2003.

Την εκδήλωση, ακολουθεί κοκτέιλ στους χώρους του Μουσείου, όπου οι συγγραφείς θα χαρούν να γνωρίσουν τους προσκεκλημένους και να υπογράψουν τα βιβλία τους.

Λόγω περιορισμένου αριθμού θέσεων, όσοι επιθυμούν να προσέλθουν, παρακαλούνται να επικοινωνήσουν με τις Εκδόσεις Πολύτροπον στο email info@ekdoseispolytropon.gr ή στο τηλέφωνο +30 210 3634 780.

Ένα κοινό αποτελούμενο από πάνω από 150 εκπροσώπους έφτασε στο Μουσείο Μπενάκη για να παρακολουθήσει την παρουσίαση, η οποία επίσης βιντεοσκοπήθηκε από το ελληνικό τηλεοπτικό κανάλι SKAI TV και μεταδόθηκε την επόμενη μέρα. Click here to watch the news item.

Μια έντονη συζήτηση ακολούθησε κατά την ώρα των ερωτήσεων, καθώς αντιπρόσωποι από αρκετά από τα Ιόνια Νησιά παρουσίασαν την δική τους άποψη σε αυτή την ιστορική συζήτηση. Οι ευχαριστίες μας οφείλονται στην Αιμιλία Γερουλάνου, Πρόεδρο του Διοικητικού Συμβουλίου και εγγονή του ιδρυτή Αντώνη Μπενάκη, για τα αρχικά της σχόλια, στην Αναπληρώτρια Διευθύντρια Ειρήνη Γερουλάνου για την υποστήριξη και τον ενθουσιασμό της, στην Δήμαρχο Παλικής Νόπη Αλεξανδροπούλου για τα λόγια ενθάρρυνσης στην αρχή της βραδιάς και στον Πέτρο Σταθάτο και όλα τα μέλη της ομάδας στις Εκδόσεις Πολύτροπον για την διοργάνωση της εκδήλωσης.

Θέατρο Ληξουρίου, Παλική, Κεφαλονιά

Οδυσσέας Λυόμενος : Η Αναζήτηση της Ομηρικής Ιθάκης

Ο ΡOΜΠΕΡΤ ΜΠIΤΛΣΤΟΟΥΝ (Robert Bittlestone), ο Ιδρυτής της Metapraxis Ltd.

Ο ΤΖEΙΜΣ ΝΤΙΓΚΛ (James Diggle), Καθηγητής Αρχαίων Ελληνικών και Λατινικών στο Πανεπιστήμιο του Κέμπριτζ

Ο ΗΛΙΑΣ ΤΟΥΜΑΣΑΤΟΣ (μεταφραστής), ο Διευθυντής της Κοργιαλενείου Βιβλιοθήκης Αργοστολίου, στην Κεφαλονιά

Petros Stathatos, Chief Executive, Εκδόσεις Πολύτροπον

Θα παρουσιάσουν την ελληνική έκδοση του βιβλίου Οδυσσέας Λυόμενος (Εκδόσεις Πολύτροπον, Αθήνα, Δεκέμβριος 2007) και θα ακολουθήσει σύντομη ενημέρωση για την πορεία των ερευνών στην Κεφαλονιά, στο διάστημα των πέντε ετών, από την στιγμή της έναρξής τους, το 2003.

Μετά την παρουσίαση, οι συγγραφείς θα χαρούν να γνωρίσουν προσωπικά τους καλεσμένους και να υπογράψουν αντίγραφα των βιβλίων. Εάν επιθυμείτε να εξασφαλίσετε αντίγραφο του βιβλίου για την ημέρα της εκδήλωσης, παρακαλείσθε να επικοινωνήσετε με το Βιβλιοπωλείου Σολωμού στο τηλέφωνο 26710 93522.

Περισσότεροι από 100 κάτοικοι από το Ληξούρι και τα γύρω χωριά έφτασαν να ακούσουν τους James Diggle, Robert Bittlestone, Ηλία Τουμασάτο και Πέτρο Σταθάτο που παρουσίασαν τα τελευταία νέα του έργου στην Κεφαλονιά.

Η παρουσίαση έγινε από την Δήμαρχο Νόπη Αλεξανδροπούλου και οι συνομιλίες συνεχίστηκαν μετά την υπογραφή του βιβλίου. Η βραδιά έκλεισε στον ευχάριστο χώρο του εστιατορίου Ζορμπά.

The Grant Institute, West Mains Road, Edinburgh EH9 3JW

Where was Odysseus’ homeland? A presentation for the CENTRAL SCOTLAND REGIONAL GROUP of the GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY

John Underhill has been leading the geological, geophysical and geomorphological tests of the theory that the Paliki peninsula in western Kefalonia might have been a freestanding island as recently as 3,000 years ago. Confirmation of that hypothesis would have dramatic ramifications for our understanding of classical Greece. Underhill has been an AAPG member since 1983, a Matson Award recipient and an AAPG Distinguished Lecturer and Award winner. He holds a BSc in Geology from Bristol University and a PhD from the University of Wales. He worked for Shell International for five years before joining the University of Edinburgh, where he holds the Chair of Stratigraphy. He has done significant research into the geology and geomorphology of Greece, and in his spare time referees football matches in the Scottish Premier League.

Click here for further details or for a map. For attendance inquiries contact John Brown.

Department of Earth Sciences, Durham University, Durham DH1 3LE

Where was Odysseus' homeland? The geological, geomorphological and geophysical evidence for relocating Homer's Ithaca.

John Underhill, Professor of Geology at Edinburgh University, will speak at the Department of Earth Sciences, Teaching Room 3, Durham University about the latest developments in the project to identify Homer's Ithaca. Further details are available here. Contact: yaoling.niu@durham.ac.uk

The talk was very well received and an attendee writes "It was refreshing to see how imagination, ancient history and geology can be used objectively to propose alternative solutions to age-old problems"

Mary Erskine & Stewart's Melville Schools, Edinburgh

In search of Ithaca: The Geological and Geophysical basis for relocating Odysseus' homeland in Paliki, Western Kefalonia

John Underhill, Professor of Geology at Edinburgh University, will speak at the Mary Erskine & Stewart's Melville Schools about the latest developments in the project to identify Homer's Ithaca. Further details to follow. School contact: Ann Cowperthwaite.

John Underhill addressed a group of enthusiastic students in Edinburgh.

The Perse Upper School, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 8QF

Where was Homer's Ithaca ?

Ever since classical antiquity there has been considerable speculation about who Homer was, when and where the Odyssey and the Iliad were written, whether there was a single author and whether the people, events and places that are described are real or imaginary. Although some of the place names that are mentioned in the Odyssey continue to exist today, including an island called Ithaca in the Ionian Sea to the west of Greece, attempts to relate this location to Homer’s descriptions have proved unsuccessful. Despite continuing claims, excavations on modern Ithaca have failed to reveal the ancient city or Odysseus' palace and its geography cannot be reconciled with descriptions in the Odyssey itself. This represents a marked contrast with the Iliad’s description of Troy, which was located by Heinrich Schliemann on the north-western coast of Turkey and extensively excavated since the 1870s.

So where was Homer's Ithaca? It has remained an enigma for centuries, but in September 2005 a radical new identification for its location was proposed by three British researchers: Robert Bittlestone, a management consultant; James Diggle, Professor of Greek at Cambridge; and John Underhill, Professor of Geology at Edinburgh. The solution set out in their Cambridge University Press book Odysseus Unbound: The Search for Homer's Ithaca is gaining ground as an increasing number of classicists begin to contemplate the extraordinary possibility that the landscape of Ithaca in the Odyssey that has long been thought fictitious may in fact be real; and if so, that it exists in an unexpected location that happens to correspond precisely with a description that has been faithfully handed down to us over several thousand years.

Professor James Diggle and Robert Bittlestone have agreed to bring their acclaimed lecture Where was Homer's Ithaca? to the Perse School. The event will take place at 4pm on Wednesday 28 November 2007 at the Upper School, as organised by the Perse Parents Association. All Perse pupils and parents, members of the wider classical community and of other schools are warmly invited to attend. This will be a free event. Refreshments and a book signing will be available following the lecture. Information on the content of the lecture can be viewed at www.odysseus-unbound.org. To book a ticket, please contact Mrs Rebecca Randall: RCRandall@perse.co.uk

Click here for further details. School announcement. A4 leaflet. A1 display poster.

Louise Playfair writes "Thank you so much for the wonderful presentation which you and James gave to pupils and parents of The Perse, alongside members of the local community. It was a huge privilege for us to welcome you and you most certainly lived up to your terrific reputation! I hope that we shall be able to tempt you back at some stage and, in the meantime, we shall watch the progress of your work with interest."

American Association of Petroleum Geologists, Athens, Greece - Featured Speaker Luncheon: Professor John Underhill

Where was Odysseus’ homeland? The geological, geomorphological and geophysical evidence for relocating Homer’s Ithaca.

The geographical description of Ithaca in Homer’s Odyssey has long provoked controversy and remains very puzzling.

“Around are many islands, close to each other, Doulichion and Same and wooded Zacynthos. Ithaca itself lies low, furthest to sea towards dusk; the rest, apart, face dawn and sun.” Odyssey 9.19-26

While Zacynthos continues to exist today, and almost all experts regard ‘Same’ as present-day Kefalonia, the island of ‘Doulichion’ has never been traced: it has remained a mystery for 3,000 years. The application of modern geoscience entered the analysis in 2003 in an attempt to address the all-important question: could a marine channel, subsequently described by Strabo as a low-lying isthmus, have separated Paliki, the westernmost peninsula of Kefalonia, from the rest of the island during the late Bronze Age? If it did, Paliki would then have been a free-standing island that precisely met Homer’s description: ‘lies low, furthest to the sea towards dusk’.

John Underhill has been leading the geological, geophysical and geomorphological tests of the theory that the Paliki Peninsula in Western Kefalonia might have been a freestanding island as recently as 3,000 years ago. Confirmation of that hypothesis would have dramatic ramifications for our understanding of Classical Greece. Underhill has been an AAPG member since 1983, a Matson Award recipient and an AAPG Distinguished Lecturer and Award winner. He holds a BSc in Geology from Bristol University and a PhD from the University of Wales. He worked for Shell International for five years before joining the University of Edinburgh, where he holds the Chair of Stratigraphy. He has done significant research into the geology and geomorphology of Greece, and in his spare time referees football matches in the Scottish Premier League.

The story of how this geological and classical research project came about has been published in the award-winning Cambridge University Press book Odysseus Unbound: The Search for Homer's Ithaca (Robert Bittlestone, with James Diggle and John Underhill, ISBN 0521853575). An up-to-date account of the research is available via Geoscientist and other articles provided at www.odysseus-unbound.org/results.html

The venue will be the Hilton Athens and the event is open only to members of the AAPG at their "Challenge our Myths" conference. Click here for further details. Click here for A4 leaflet.

John Underhill addressed a capacity audience of 150 AAPG delegates in Athens. Photograph courtesy of Jeroen Peters, Shell.

Henry Box School, Church Green, Witney OX28 4AX

Was Homer's Ithaca a real place?

Homer's Iliad and Odyssey are two of the oldest works in Western literature, describing a Bronze Age world over 3,000 years ago. For centuries both of these poems were believed to have been set in an imaginary landscape, but then Schliemann discovered Troy in the 1870s and triggered a major re-evaluation of the Iliad. However, Homer's Ithaca has remained elusive, with the Ionian island that is today called Ithaki bearing little resemblance to that which is described in the Odyssey.

But in September 2005 a radical new identification for the location of Homer's Ithaca was proposed by three British researchers: Robert Bittlestone, a management consultant; James Diggle, Professor of Greek at Cambridge; and John Underhill, Professor of Geology at Edinburgh. Their book describing this discovery, Odysseus Unbound: The Search for Homer's Ithaca has been published by Cambridge University Press and it has already sold out its first printing. Their theory is gaining ground as more evidence emerges from the Ionian islands, and an increasing number of classicists worldwide are beginning to contemplate the possibility that the poet of the Odyssey might have had direct knowledge of Ithaca's landscape.

On Monday November 19 Robert Bittlestone will present this proposal and the latest discoveries from the island of Cephalonia. The topic will be illustrated throughout with slides, satellite photography and computer animations. The content is intended for students, parents and teachers and neighbouring schools are also welcome to attend. The venue will be the The Henry Box School, Church Green, Witney, Oxforshire OX28 4AX. To book your free ticket (subject to lecture room capacity), contact Penny Goodwin on 01993 848125 or email cc4046@henrybox.oxon.sch.uk

Click here for further details. A1 display poster. A4 brochure. Iris magazine listing.

Anne Holland writes "Thank you so much for coming to speak at Henry Box yesterday evening. We all found it very entertaining and interesting, and I've had some extremely enthusiastic feedback from some of the students and parents who were there. We're looking forward to hearing how the research goes! We very much appreciate the contribution you have made to generating enthusiasm for the classical world at the school."

Burlington House, Geological Society of London, W1J 0BG

Where was Homer's Ithaca? FULLY BOOKED - STANDBY SEATS ONLY

For thousands of years people thought that Troy was imaginary. Then the archaeologist Heinrich Schliemann excavated it in the 1870s. It is south-west of Istanbul and its location matches Homer’s description in the Iliad precisely. Other cities that Homer described have also been discovered: Knossos in Crete, Mycenae south of Corinth; and in 2005 Ajax’s palace was identified on Salamis, near Athens. So could Homer’s Ithaca also be a real location? And can modern geology combined with classical research and satellite technology help us to locate it?

The Geological Society of London is the world's oldest national scientific and professional society for Earth scientists and is this year celebrating its 200th birthday, marked by a series of public events. The Burlington House Cultural Campus Lectures represent a new joint interdisciplinary initiative organised in conjunction with the Royal Academy and the five learned societies that occupy this historic building. These are the Geological Society, the Linnean Society, the Royal Astronomical Society, the Society of Antiquaries and the Royal Society of Chemistry.

On Monday October 29 the authors of Odysseus Unbound will present their proposal and the latest discoveries from the island of Cephalonia. The speakers will also explain how the latest helicopter, marine and land-based geophysical assessment techniques are to be introduced onsite from autumn 2007 onwards, with the sponsorship of FUGRO. The topic will be illustrated throughout with slides, satellite photography and computer animations. The content is aimed at a non-specialist audience as well as those who are studying or lecturing in geology, ancient history, classics or archaeology.

The venue will be the Geological Society of London (Piccadilly Entrance). Tea will be served from 17.30 and the talk will begin at 18.00 in the Lecture Theatre. Drinks sponsored by FUGRO will be served afterwards in the Lower Library, where the speakers will be available to sign copies of their book Odysseus Unbound: The Search for Homer's Ithaca, available at the special price of £20. For further details of the event, click here. To book your free ticket (subject to lecture room capacity), email Jayne Phenton at jphenton@SAL.org.uk. Press and other event inquiries should be directed to Dr Ted Nield at ted.nield@geolsoc.org.uk

Click here for further details. A4 leaflet. A1 display poster.

A full house of nearly 200 visitors attended the talk, which was introduced by Dr Ted Nield, Editor of Geoscientist. James Diggle opened the presentation under the heading Enigma with a resounding declamation of the opening lines of the Odyssey in ancient Greek. He then explained why the history of all previous proposals for the location of Homer's Ithaca are contradicted by the geography of today. Robert Bittlestone followed with Hypothesis, an explanation of the solution to this ancient problem that he first proposed in 2003.

John Underhill then explained the Geology of the island and the work that is now being sponsored by Fugro to understand it in more detail. This includes surveys on land, sea and air using techniques such as resistivity, gravimetry and seismic surveys in order to penetrate deep below the surface soil and construct a 3D 'bodyscan' of the Thinia isthmus that separates Paliki from eastern Kefalonia. James and Robert then concluded with a discussion of the very striking Coincidence that many aspects of the landscape of Paliki appear to be identical to Homer's descriptions in the Odyssey.

At the end of the presentation a vote of thanks was proposed by Ray Wood, Managing Director of Fugro Engineering Services. The guests then enjoyed refreshments sponsored by Fugro in the Lower Library, where the authors signed copies of Odysseus Unbound to praise such as 'You made a complex topic sound simple and straightforward' and 'One of the best presentations I have ever attended'.

Lixouri Theatre, Paliki, Kefalonia

Geological Research in Thinia and Northern Paliki

On Thursday October 18 at 19:00 a public briefing about the geological research programme will be delivered by Professor John Underhill and Robert Bittlestone in the Lixouri Theatre in Kefalonia, at the invitation of the Mayor of Paliki.

For further details refer to News.

Right-click to download Research Description (English and Greek). Right-click to download Briefing Poster.

About 150 visitors from Lixouri, Argostoli, Thinia and Paliki attended the presentation. This was opened by a welcoming address by Mayor Nopi Alexandropoulou and followed by the screening of a film about the project. John Underhill then presented highlights of the current geological work and his talk was simultaneously translated into Greek by Titika Faraklou. Robert Bittlestone concluded by thanking the large number of Greek authorities who have given their consent to the work taking place, as well as the Fugro land, sea and air based teams who are now applying their expertise and technology to the problem. Also present was Elias Toumasatos, who has now finished translating 'Odysseus Unbound' into Greek and who explained that the book is expected to be published shortly before Christmas.

British School at Athens - Inaugural fundraising lecture at the British Museum

Where was Homer's Ithaca?

Was Ithaca, the homeland of Odysseus in Homer's Odyssey, a real place? If so, should we rely on the description that Homer provides of an island that is low-lying and furthest out to sea on the western coast of Greece? For centuries scholars have disagreed with these lines, but recent geological discoveries on the Greek island of Cephalonia now provide strong support for the idea that Homer's description was absolutely correct all along.

The British School at Athens was founded in 1886 with the support of the Prince of Wales and William Gladstone. Its primary mission is to promote the study of Hellenic Studies in all their aspects, covering all periods from the Palaeolithic to the present. As a research institute, its principal emphasis is on empirical studies that shed light on the prehistoric, classical and medieval past and present condition of Greek lands.

On Thursday June 28 the authors of Odysseus Unbound will present their proposal and the latest discoveries from the island of Cephalonia. This is the inaugural lecture in a series of public events organised by the British School at Athens to broaden its outreach in London and raise funds for its activities in Greece. The presentation will take place at 6.30 p.m. at the BP Lecture Theatre in the Clore Education Centre at the British Museum, Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3DG. Entry £15; Friends of the British Museum £12. For tickets, email Carol Bell: treasurer@bsa.ac.uk

Click here for further details. A4 double sided leaflet. A3 display poster. BSA website announcement and registration form.

A capacity audience of over 300 attended the presentation in the BP Lecture Theatre. BSA's Carol Bell writes "Thank you very much for getting our fundraising lecture series off to such a magnificent start. The high level of attendance is a tribute to the way your multidisciplinary approach has captured the imagination of the general public. I have opened my e-mail this morning to find notes of thanks pouring in from attendees".

Harrow and Merchant Taylors' Schools, West London

It’s the oldest marine adventure in the world. It was already ancient history when Aristotle and Socrates were in the cradle. It has spawned a hundred spin-offs and inspired writers and artists, philosophers and poets, statesmen and soldiers for the last three thousand years. It’s the original Odyssey: a Bronze Age blockbuster and a cornerstone of Western civilisation. And not surprisingly, most people have presumed that Odysseus’ homeland of Ithaca is as imaginary as Ithilien in Lord of the Rings.

Robert Bittlestone, James Diggle and John Underhill think they’re wrong. On Monday April 30 the authors of Odysseus Unbound will present their proposal and the latest discoveries on the island of Cephalonia that can help us decide on whether it really is Homer's Ithaca. This is a joint event between Harrow School and Merchant Taylors' School, to be held at Harrow. Parents and also students and staff from other schools with an interest in classics, ancient history, geology and computer science are warmly invited to attend, subject to capacity. There is no charge for admission and the seminar will take place at 5.30 p.m.

After the seminar the speakers will be available to sign copies of their book "Odysseus Unbound: The Search for Homer's Ithaca" which will be offered to attendees at the special price of £20. For a location map, click here. For further information and to register, contact Judith Affleck: jpa@harrowschool.org.uk

Click here for further details. A4 single sided leaflet. A3 display poster.

A large group of students, staff and other visitors attended the talk delivered by James Diggle and Robert Bittlestone, and Judith Affleck commented afterwards "Your visit here was a tremendous hit, both with our boys and staff. It was a great delight to meet you and to hear your presentation, which was exemplary in its professionalism. Much more than that, though, it was a genuinely inspiring evening - for me, for the department and for the boys, who have been bubbling with it ever since! I wasn't expecting to be so 'converted', or so inspired by the importance of the project, but I'll be following developments with bated breath. Many thanks for giving up your time."

Lapworth Lecture - Birmingham University, Edgbaston

Did the Greek island of Cephalonia consist of two separate land masses in the late Bronze Age (Holocene) about 3,000 years ago? And if so, was its western peninsula the island that Homer describes when he says that Odysseus' homeland of Ithaca lies out to sea and furthest to the west? On Monday March 19 John Underhill will present the geological facts and the latest discoveries surrounding this intriguing proposal.

The Lapworth Museum of Geology has the finest and most extensive collections of fossils, minerals and rocks in the Midland Region. It is named after Charles Lapworth, the first Professor of Geology at Mason College, the forerunner of the University of Birmingham. Lapworth was one of the most important and influential geologists in the late 19th and early 20th Centuries. The Lapworth Lectures on popular geological subjects are aimed at students, the general public and amateur enthusiasts. There is no charge for admission and the seminar will take place at 5 p.m. in the Palaeontology Laboratory, G21, Earth Sciences, Aston Webb Building. For a location map, click here. For further details, contact Jon Clatworthy: j.c.clatworthy@bham.ac.uk

Click here for further details. A4 leaflet. A3 poster.

The audience was drawn from a wide range of backgrounds and a stimulating evening was had by all. The organisers said to John Underhill afterwards "Thank you for presenting an excellent Lapworth Lecture which received numerous positive comments from those who attended."

Merchiston Castle School, Edinburgh

Imagine you are Homer. You have reached the lines in your poem where you need to describe Ithaca, and tomorrow you will be reciting it at the marketplace down by the harbour. All sorts of people will be there – local townsfolk, strangers, soldiers, sailors. And like every poet, you are penniless, so after the recital you will be passing round the hat to collect money for your lunch. Now here comes the crunch. Do you actually know where Ithaca is?

If you don't, surely you will decide to be a bit vague about it? With all those sailors in the audience, you are hardly going to risk saying “Ithaca itself lies low, furthest to sea / Towards dusk” when you actually have no idea where it is. You are much more likely to play it safe and say something simple like “Ithaca is a lovely place / the nicest in the land”. After all, it is just one line out of 12,000 in your poem: why set yourself up for unnecessary criticism?

But supposing instead you do know exactly where Ithaca is, and you describe its location precisely? And then something totally extraordinary and completely unprecedented changes the landscape so that nobody can recognise it afterwards?

On Thursday March 15th John Underhill will deliver an interdisciplinary presentation about the Search for Homer's Ithaca to the Classics, History and Geography departments of Merchiston Castle School in Edinburgh. To reserve your seat contact Tim Lawson: tjl@merchiston.co.uk

Click here for further details. A4 double sided leaflet. A3 display poster. School annnouncement.

A lively audience of enthusiastic students attended the talk and the organisers relayed to John Underhill afterwards: "Your talk was very well received: my colleagues commented on how well and clearly you put across quite a conceptually difficult topic, and they look forward to any forthcoming film!"

RocSoc Lecture - Leeds University

Homer describes Ithaca in the Odyssey as a low-lying island, the furthest out to sea on the west of Greece, but today's island called Ithaki doesn't remotely fit this description. So did Homer make a mistake? Scholars over many centuries have assumed that he did, but John Underhill, Professor of Stratigraphy at Edinburgh University, is investigating the possibility that Homer may have been right all along. He thinks that the catastrophic landslides and rockfalls that took place some time between 1200 and today may have infilled a narrow marine channel and caused the western peninula of Cephalonia (Paliki) to be joined to the rest of the island. If this hypothesis can be proved then it will provide an elegant and compelling answer to where Homer's island of Ithaca was actually located during the Bronze Age.

On Monday March 5th John Underhill will present the latest news of the geological discoveries on Cephalonia to RocSoc, the Society for the School of Earth and Environment at Leeds University. This student-run society is the centre for social and educational activities in the Department and organises many events throughout the year. All members of the Department and RocSoc are welcome. The talk will begin at 5pm in the Earth Sciences Seminar Room in the Department of Earth Sciences (click for map). All are invited to The Eldon pub afterwards for a chance to discuss and exchange ideas about the talk and to catch up socially. For further information, contact the Talks Secretary, Luke Jackson: ear5lpj@leeds.ac.uk

Click here for further details. A4 leaflet. A3 poster.

There was an excellent turnout for John Underhill's presentation and one delegate commented: "This was a very good talk, his work is absolutely crucial in bringing round the doubters about the location of Ithaca. It sounds as if the tipping point has been reached, I hope the archaeological community responds positively and the issue of the credibility of Homer's geographical and other descriptions is brought out for a good airing again".

The Third Classical Symposium at King's College School, Wimbledon, London SW19

King's College School Classical Society organises an annual Symposium, comprising presentations in the College Court Reading Room followed by a Greek banquet with speeches. On Thursday March 1st 2007 Robert Bittlestone will deliver an update on the events that have transpired in Cephalonia and elsewhere since the previous year's presentation on Odysseus Unbound. Attendance is restricted to members of the King's College School Classical Society, but ex-pupils are warmly invited to attend. For further details, contact the Senior School Head of Classics, Chris Jackson: cmj@kcs.org.uk.

A substantial group of classics students attended the Symposium, which was launched with great verve and wit with a talk on ‘Aeneid II: The un-making of a hero’ by Dr. Matthew Robinson, the Classics admissions tutor of University College London. Upper Sixth Classics scholar Farzin Mirshahi writes ‘The second speaker was Mr Robert Bittlestone who, one year after shocking the Classical world with his hypothesis on the true geographical location of Homer’s Ithaca, as related in his Odysseus Unbound, returned to update us on his progress. Any lingering doubts on Mr Bittlestone’s masterful theory were soon dispelled as he revealed how the marine, aerial, and geological surveys carried out since his previous visit had provided further supportive evidence. Mr Bittlestone’s wonderful description of his enormous efforts to prove his theory was both impressive and inspirational, and we look forward with avid interest to future developments... The evening ended with a splendid Greek feast in a dining room transformed into the beachfront of Troy.’

Petroleum Exploration Society of Great Britain - Copthorne Hotel, 122 Huntly Street, Aberdeen AB10 1SU

Where was Odysseus' homeland? The geological, geomorphological and geophysical evidence for relocating Homer’s Ithaca.

On Tuesday December 5th at 18.30 John Underhill will deliver an Aberdeen Evening Lecture to the Petroleum Exploration Society of Great Britain. The PESGB was established in 1964 and its objective is to promote, for the public benefit, education in the scientific and technical aspects of petroleum exploration. This is achieved via monthly lectures, conferences & seminars, field trips, a monthly newsletter, regional branches and special interest groups.

The lecture is on the same evening as the PESGB Aberdeen Christmas Party that takes place afterwards at the adjacent Aberdeen Art Gallery, and in it John will convey the latest news of the geological researches that he has been supervising on the island of Cephalonia.

The lecture is restricted to members. To join the PESGB, contact the PESGB Office, 5th floor, 9 Berkeley Street, London, W1J 8DW (020 7408 2000, pesgb@pesgb.org.uk). Click here for further details of the talk.

The evening was kindly sponsored by Ithaca Energy, whose management team must be congratulated for choosing such an appropriate cause. A late change of venue did nothing to daunt the enthusiasm of a very supportive audience of over 120 PESGB members.

Some comments on John Underhill's address: "The talk last night was very enjoyable .. a great piece of science!" "Thank you for an truly excellent talk. It's so very interesting and fresh when fields overlap, and you put the story over in a very comprehensive and scientific way. Everyone I spoke to afterwards was really fascinated."

Edinburgh Geological Society - Grant Institute of Geology, Edinburgh University

Where was Odysseus' homeland? The geological, geomorphological and geophysical evidence for relocating Homer’s Ithaca.

On Wednesday November 1st John Underhill will deliver a lecture to the Edinburgh Geological Society with the latest news of the geological researches that he has been supervising on the island of Cephalonia. These are aimed at determining whether or not its western peninsula, called Paliki, was separated from the rest of the island by a narrow marine channel during the Bronze Age period (late Holocene, c. 3000 years ago). If this was the case then Paliki would at that time have been a free-standing island that precisely met Homer’s description ‘lies low, furthest to sea and towards dusk’. The talk will summarise the results of the geological, geophysical and geomorphic methods that have been used over the past three years in an attempt to test the validity of 'Strabo’s Channel' as a historical reality. The outcome of this work may provide us with an elegant solution to a 3,000 year old mystery.

The Edinburgh Geological Society was founded in 1834 with the aim of stimulating public interest in geology and the advancement of geological knowledge. It was formed at a time when William IV was on the British throne and Charles Darwin was making his epoch-making voyage in the Beagle.

The lecture is free and is open to the public as well as to members of the Edinburgh Geological Society. It will take place at 19.30 at the Hutton Lecture Theatre, Grant Institute, University of Edinburgh, West Mains Road, Edinburgh EH9 3JW. Click here for further details.

Around 180 members and guests of the Edinburgh Geological Society attended the seminar and responded very enthusiastically to John Underhill's exposition. Thanks are due to Costas Lambropoulos for taking these photographs of the event.

Queens' College Academic Saturday, University of Cambridge

Where was Homer's Ithaca?

"We are sure that the word will spread and that the venture will snowball." Since the first Queens' College Academic Saturday in 1997, this annual day of lectures by Fellows for members and their families has become increasingly popular. On October 7 James Diggle and Robert Bittlestone will present to members and guests the radical proposal of Odysseus Unbound. By that time John Underhill's new paper in Geoscientist will have been published with updated news of the latest year of researches on Cephalonia, and highlights from this will also be included in the presentation.

Click here for further details. A4 double sided leaflet. A3 display poster.

Over 150 Queens' College alumni and their families attended the presentation and Cambridge University Press arranged a stand for signed copies of the book. A 1950 alumnus commented: 'I thought the lecture wholly fascinating, brilliantly conceived and conveyed, and most entertainingly and grippingly delivered ... a most sensational piece of historical research.'

Click here for a summary of the presentation in the Queens' College Record.

Cambridge 16th Alumni Weekend - Sidgwick Avenue Site, Law Faculty, Room LG18

Where was Homer's Ithaca?

This seminar for the Cambridge Alumni weekend will present the latest news of events from the former island that is believed to be Odysseus’ homeland. The topic will be illustrated throughout with slides, satellite photography and computer animations. The content is aimed at a non-specialist audience as well as those who are studying or lecturing in ancient history, languages, geology, classics or archaeology. The speakers will answer questions at the end and they will be available for further discussions afterwards. Click here for: A4 double-sided leaflet; A3 display poster.

About 130 delegates attended this well-received seminar and Cambridge University Press supported the event with a brisk trade in signed copies of the book.

Lecture at Stockholm University

On September 15 at 14:00 Robert Bittlestone (Chairman, Metapraxis) will present a seminar at Stockholm University on the classical, geological and archaeological discoveries described in his recent book Odysseus Unbound: The Search for Homer's Ithaca. The book has been co-authored with Professor James Diggle (Classics, Cambridge) and Professor John Underhill (Geology, Edinburgh) and the presentation is open to the public as well as to students and staff of the University. The content is aimed at a non-specialist audience as well as those who are studying or lecturing in ancient history, languages, geology, classics or archaeology. The speaker will answer questions at the end and he will be available for further discussions afterwards. Click here for further details. A4 double sided leaflet. A3 single sided poster.

About 70 delegates attended the seminar, including the Cultural and Educational Councillors of the Embassy of Greece in Stockholm. Dr Denis Searby commented "Many thanks for a really stimulating presentation... Such investigations and points of view coming from an outsider to the usual academic discussions can stimulate thought and imagination and, especially, excite young students. After all, Michael Ventris was only a young teenager when he heard a lecture about Linear B, and though he studied architecture, he went on to crack the code."

Seminar at the Kingston Readers' Festival, Kingston-upon-Thames

There will be a presentation about Odysseus Unbound at the Kingston Readers' Festival on May 22nd. The topic will be illustrated throughout with slides, satellite photography and computer animations and the content is aimed at a non-specialist audience as well as those who are studying or lecturing in these subjects. There will be an opportunity to meet the authors and to purchase signed copies of the book. Venue: Room 102, Town House, Penrhyn Road campus, Kingston University. Tickets: £8 (£5 under 18s) . Click here for further details and to book.

A lively audience of those who had already read the book and others wishing to do so joined the authors at the Festival to listen to their presentation of these discoveries. The proceedings were launched by James Diggle's oration of the first few lines of the Odyssey in ancient Greek and were then enlivened by animated slides, film footage of the 1953 earthquake and a 'live fly-by' of Cephalonia via NASA's World Wind software. John Underhill was provided with a rare opportunity to explain further intricacies of Cephalonian geology while the laptop computer recovered from a discharged battery, and the evening ended with an enthusiastic response from the audience and the signature by the authors of copies of the book. Our thanks are due to Sandy Williams, the Festival's organiser, both for her invitation and for her formidable organisation of the event.

Was Homer's Ithaca a real place? Lecture/dinner at The Tavern Club, Boston

Homer's Iliad and Odyssey are two of the oldest works in Western literature, describing a Bronze Age world over 3,000 years ago. For centuries both of these poems were believed to have been set in an imaginary landscape, but then Schliemann discovered Troy in the 1870s and triggered a major re-evaluation of the Iliad. However, Homer's Ithaca has remained elusive, with the Ionian island that is today called Ithaki bearing little resemblance to that which is described in the Odyssey.

But in September 2005 a radical new identification for the location of Homer's Ithaca was proposed by three British researchers: Robert Bittlestone, a management consultant; James Diggle, Professor of Greek at Cambridge; and John Underhill, Professor of Geology at Edinburgh. Their book describing this discovery, Odysseus Unbound: The Search for Homer's Ithaca has been published by Cambridge University Press and it has already sold out its first printing. Their theory is gaining ground as more evidence emerges from the Ionian islands, and an increasing number of classicists worldwide are beginning to contemplate the possibility that the poet of the Odyssey might have had direct knowledge of Ithaca's landscape.

Robert Bittlestone is our guest at the Tavern Club on May 18. For those who are unfamiliar with the hypothesis of the book he will deliver a slide-based presentation accompanied by satellite photography and computer animation, and then over dinner he looks forward to participating in an informal debate about this intriguing and thought-provoking possibility. The evening will start with a drinks reception. Attendance is by invitation only for members and their guests. Inquiries about the seminar can be addressed to Christopher Smallhorn or Peter Rand and the club is located at 4 Boylston Place.

Around 60 members and their guests attended the seminar in the Tavern Club upstairs theatre and the presentation was warmly received by an audience that included several very eminent classicists. Reactions from the audience included statements such as "I find this evidence most persuasive: it addresses the enigma of Ithaca in an entirely novel way" and "I congratulate the speaker for his emphasis on the importance of the forthcoming geological tests and for not over-stating the case". Towards the end of the subsequent dinner there was an open question and answer session in which issues were debated such as the implications of the discoveries on Paliki for the long-standing question of "Who was Homer and where and when did he live?" The following day an informal lunch was held at the club to enable these conversation to continue.

Lecture at the Reform Club, London for the Anglo-Hellenic League

The Anglo-Hellenic League, a registered charity, was founded in 1913. Dedicated to promoting Anglo-Greek understanding and friendship, the League has a long history of charitable and cultural work. From its inception it has benefited from royal patronage, while the Greek and British Ambassadors en poste are patrons. The League’s distinguished publication, The Anglo-Hellenic Review, is a bi-annual magazine for all those with an interest in Greek achievements, both past and present, and includes reviews of books of Greek interest published in the English language.

Following the Annual General Meeting of the League there will be a lecture at the Reform Club in Pall Mall to present and discuss the findings of Odysseus Unbound. A reception will follow. The event is open to the public, although priority will be given to League members and their guests. The entry fee is £15.00, which includes admission to the lecture and to the drinks reception afterwards. To book, please contact the administrator of the League, Sophia Economides: anglohellenic.league@virgin.net or 020 7486 9410.

Click here for further details

A4 double sided leaflet / A3 single sided poster

Over 100 members and guests of the League attended the event, including His Excellency Anastase Skopelitis, Greek Ambassador to the United Kingdom, and his colleague Maria Theofili, the Greek Consul-General. League Chairman Sir David Miers writes: "A huge 'Thank you' to you and your colleagues for your splendid and much appreciated performance...Everyone I spoke to afterwards was full of praise for the fascinating content and professional presentation of your lecture. We went away informed, impressed and entertained."

From the Anglo Hellenic Review, Autumn 2006: "A busy spring season commenced on March 30 with the League's Annual General Meeting at the Reform Club in London. As in recent years, this featured a guest lecture, on this occasion given by two distinguished presenters. 'Odysseus Unbound: the Search for Homer's Ithaca' was the title both of the lecture and of the impressive book (published by Cambridge University Press in October 2005 and reviewed in our last issue) by Robert Bittlestone, a management consultant and archaeology enthusiast. With the assistance of his collaborator James Diggle, Professor of Greek and Latin at Cambridge University, Mr Bittlestone delivered his own oral — and visual — epic. Working with a combination of projected satellite images, maps, computerised 3D topographic sequences, film and audio, he held his audience spellbound with the narrative of his search for the identity of Odysseus' island. Evidence culled from field trips and from computer analysis of literary, geological and archaeological data pointed clearly, he suggested, to a separated Paliki, the western peninsula of the island of Cephalonia, as the location of the authentic Ithaca. Whatever the verdict of members of the audience on the presenters' highly plausible theories, there can be no doubt that this was one of our most fascinating and spectacular lectures. "

Prize draw for a free signed copy of Odysseus Unbound

Apokrisi.net, the website for Greek related events and venues in Britain, is organising a prize draw for a free signed copy of Odysseus Unbound: The Search for Homer's Ithaca, which has kindly been donated by Cambridge University Press. Applicants simply need to send in an e-mail to Apokrisi by March 24 2006. For further details visit the Apokrisi March Events listing here.

Update: The winner of the prize draw has now been announced: click here for details

Seminar at King's College School, Wimbledon, London SW19

King's College School Classical Society has arranged two seminars on March 2 2006 to be presented in Collyer Hall by Robert Bittlestone (Chairman, Metapraxis) and Professor James Diggle (Classics, Cambridge) on the subject of their recent book Odysseus Unbound: The Search for Homer's Ithaca. The book proposes that the location of Odysseus' homeland of Ithaca was not the island that bears that name today but was instead the western peninsula of Cephalonia, which is called Paliki. The presentation will be of relevance to all those who are interested in the origins of Western culture, with particular significance for those studying Greek, Latin, History, Archaeology, Geology, Geoinformatics or Computer Science.

For the convenience of students, parents and other visitors the 16:10 seminar will be repeated at 19:00. The topic will be illustrated throughout with slides, satellite photography and computer animations. Audience participation is welcomed in the question and answer session afterwards, when it is anticipated that there will be a discussion about the relationship between this recent discovery and our understanding of the Odyssey. After both seminars there will be an opportunity to meet the authors and to purchase signed copies of the book, which has also been co-authored by Professor John Underhill (Geology, Edinburgh). At 20.00 there will be an informal reception in the adjacent Cotman Gallery.

There is no attendance charge for the seminar but numbers are limited and early booking is advisable. To book, e-mail the Head of Classics, Chris Jackson: cmj@kcs.org.uk.

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A2 single sided poster / A3 single sided leaflet / A4 double sided leaflet

KCS website announcement / Collyer Hall location map

Nearly 400 pupils, parents, guests and staff attended the two seminars, and King's College Classical Society hosted a reception afterwards. KCS Head of Classics Chris Jackson comments: "The reaction from my students the following day was quite overwhelming - it was not possible to do any work in class, as all they wanted to talk about was your presentation! We already have our dreams of KCS parties coming out to Paliki to help with the project, and gain some hands-on archaeological experience by excavating the palace of Odysseus... It was wonderful to see Collyer Hall filled twice for an event which will do so much to raise the profile of Classics both at KCS and beyond; the response of the two respective audiences made it only too clear how exciting and inspirational they had found your discovery."

Click here for photographs. Click here for KCS Magazine article.

Seminar at the School of Classics, University College Dublin

A presentation on the findings of Odysseus Unbound will take place on February 9 2006 at 20:00 in Room A109 in the Newman Building at the Belfield campus of University College Dublin, arranged by the UCD Classical Society in conjunction with the School of Classics. UCD School of Classics is the largest centre of Classical studies in Ireland. It has over five hundred undergraduate students, a strong body of postgraduate students and a full-time teaching staff of ten. The UCD Classical Society is a student-run body which organises various social events throughout the course of the year. All students are encouraged to participate in the society’s events, which provide an opportunity to make social contacts outside lectures and tutorial groups. For booking inquiries contact Dr Christina Haywood at the School of Classics: christina.haywood@ucd.ie

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Download A3 single sided poster / A4 double sided leaflet

UCD website announcement / Belfield campus location map

The seminar was delivered to a packed room of about 100 visitors, including His Excellency Stilianos Mallikourtis, Greek Ambassador to Ireland and his wife Anna Mallikourtis, whose family is from Cephalonia. The UCD Classical Society hosted a dinner beforehand and a reception afterwards. Christina Haywood's verdict: "A wonderful presentation, greatly praised and enjoyed by all". Click here for additional feedback.

Odysseus Unbound seminar for Friends of Classics, London

On January 21 2006 Robert Bittlestone and James Diggle will present a seminar on the findings of Odysseus Unbound, hosted by the 'Friends of Classics' at the Francis Holland School, Clarence Gate, London NW1 6XR. The seminar promises to be controversial: as Friends of Classics co-founder Peter Jones points out on our Reviews page "As a renowned Greek Homeric scholar recently said...'This will lead to war!'." Registrations for attendance are already running high and priority will be given to existing members: others wishing to attend should therefore contact Executive Secretary and co-founder Jeannie Cohen to register as new members beforehand. Click here for further details and to book.

Over 80 members attended this lively event and Peter Jones commented: "Many thanks for the tremendous show you put on for the Friends of Classics: it was hugely enjoyed by all. Members' feedback afterwards included reactions such as 'The best FOC lecture I've heard' ".

Presentation at Queens' College, Cambridge for the Cambridge University Hellenic Society

A presentation on the findings of Odysseus Unbound will take place on November 30 at 18:00 in the Old Hall of Queens' College, Cambridge, hosted by CUHS.

Click here for further details / Cambridge University news announcement

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About 130 delegates attended the seminar: Click here for photographs or here for CUHS coverage

Seminar at Mediterranean Hotel, Argostoli, Kefallinia

A seminar on the findings of Odysseus Unbound will take place in Argostoli, Kefallinia on October 22 at 17:00 at the Mediterranean Hotel. Click here for further details and to book.

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Seminar at the New Theatre, Lixouri, Kefallinia

A seminar on the findings of Odysseus Unbound will take place in Lixouri, Kefallinia on October 21 at 19:00 at the New Theatre. Click here for further details and to book.

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Seminar at the Athens Ledra Marriott Hotel

A seminar on the findings of Odysseus Unbound will take place in Athens on October 19 at 11:00 at the Athens Ledra Marriott Hotel. Click here for further details and to book.

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Event at Eleftheroudakis bookshop, Athens

An introduction to the book and a book-signing by the authors will take place at the flagship Eleftheroudakis bookshop at 17 Panepistimiou Street in Athens on October 19 at 18:00. For further details contact the bookshop at 21032 58447 or contact Craig Walker.

To order the book from Eleftheroudakis' online bookshop click here.

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Odysseus Unbound conference at Center for Hellenic Studies, Washington DC

There will be a presentation of these new findings by Robert Bittlestone followed by a panel discussion which will include Masa Culumovic, Douglas Frame, Nino Luraghi and Greg Nagy. For further details or for a Press invitation, contact Jenny Reilly or Abby Porter at the Centre for Hellenic Studies, porter@fas.harvard.edu or + 1 202 745 4436.

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Reception at Blackwell's, Oxford

Blackwell's presents Robert Bittlestone and James Diggle who will be discussing the breakthrough theories described and illustrated in Odysseus Unbound: The Search for Homer's Ithaca. Where is the Ithaca described in such detail in Homer's Odyssey? Odysseus Unbound proposes sites for all the places described on the island and so lifts the lid on one of the most enduring mysteries of classical scholarship since Schliemann's discovery of Troy. Blackwell's Bookshop, Broad Street, Oxford. Tickets are £2.00 and are redeemable against the purchase of the book on the night. Blackwell's Customer Services, +44 (0) 1865) 333623 or customers.ox@blackwell.co.uk

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Publication date of Odysseus Unbound: The Search for Homer's Ithaca

"Odysseus Unbound offers a brilliant hypothesis to solve one of the oldest puzzles in scholarship, using literary, geological and historical clues. The writing style is wonderfully engaging and very personal, and the many colour images give an excellent sense of the landscape in which the events of the Odyssey are set."

Michael Sharp, Classics Editor, Cambridge University Press

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Reception at Heffers, Cambridge

Heffers Booksellers and Cambridge University Press invite you to meet Robert Bittlestone and James Diggle, who will be talking about their new book Odysseus Unbound: The Search for Homer's Ithaca at Heffers Booksellers, 20 Trinity Street, Cambridge on Tuesday October 4th at 6.30 pm. RSVP on +44 (0) 1223 568539 or via sarah.cleveland@heffers.co.uk

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Lecture/dinner at the Athenaeum, London

There will be a private Lecture/dinner at 18:30 at the Athenaeum in Pall Mall to present and discuss these new findings. Attendance is by invitation only for members and their guests.

Update on the conference: About 150 members and their guests attended a seminar presented by the authors. The debate over these new findings continued after dinner. The Club was honoured by the presence of the Mayor of Paliki, Mr Vassilios Rouhotas, who also addressed the meeting.

Press conference to announce location of Homer's Ithaca

There will be a Press conference at 12:30 in London at which the proposed location of Homer's Ithaca and the sites described in the Odyssey will be announced. For further details or for a Press invitation, contact Amy Wilson.

To read the countdown Press release click here

Update on the conference: see News page