It combines mountains and sea, wilderness and beautiful cities, ancient civilization and modern living. The Peloponnese has all these elements that make those who live there proud and all the rest wish they could visit. Most people know that it took its name form the mythical king, Pelops, but how many know his impressive story? Pelops was the son of Tantalus and at a young age he was cut into pieces by his father who wanted to serve him as a meal to the gods, to see if he can fool them. The Olympian gods, however, saw through the plot, besides Demeter who managed to eat the left shoulder. The gods punished Tantalus to always stand in water and under delicious fruits, without being able neither to drink nor to eat (that’s where the word “tantalize” comes from) and ordered Clotho and Hephaestus to bring Pelops back. The ivory shoulder that Hephaestus made passed on to Pelops’ descendents, since all of them had a white mark there. Poseidon took Pelops under his protection on Mt Olympus and taught him how to ride the chariot, but Zeus expelled him because of his father’s behavior. Bach to “Earth”, Pelops wanted to marry Hippodamia, but her father, Oenomaos challenged him to a chariot race, in order to kill him. Pelops won by plotting with Myrtilus, whom he killed, though not before Myrtilus had the chance to curse Pelops himself and his descendents. Atreus was the son of Pelops and his family occupied a big part of what is now known as ancient Greek tragedy and is an integral piece of the Greek identity. That is why the Peloponnese is such an important part of the Greek soul. When its roots are so interesting, how can the place itself not be magnificent? Peloponnese Hotels – AKS Porto Heli
