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| Greek bireme ship, ca. 500 bC. Source: Ancient and modern ships, part 1. By Sir George Holmes. British Museum, London. |
The year 1100 BC. On a showy colored sails vessel, at the distance, the crew begin to glimpse the coast of Attica. They are greek traders, coming from the Hellespont. Everything seems to run according to the schedule. But the Aegean, as the Mediterranean, are quite unpredictable seas. In only a few minutes, the rough swells and whistling rushes of the wind, announce a sudden storm. Towering waves nearly engulf the ship and everyone on board. The captain, thinking it's all over, begins to pray. He offers a healthy big bull to the god of the seas, if he becomes favorable, granting them his protection from the angry ocean. The sailors keep struggling for nobody knows how long, until, all of a sudden, the storm ceases and the sea turns calmed again. They arrive safe and sound...
