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As you already know, Iliad is an epic poem about the Trojan War. Scene after scene, heroes clash with one another. Some heroes fall dead, some others emerge victorious. It’s a quest for glory; it’s almost like a game. In rhapsody Z two heroes are about to engage in single combat: Greek hero Diomedes and the Lycian hero Glaucus.
“Who are you the one who dares stand in the shadow of my spear?” Diomedes said. “If you are a mortal man, come forth and meet your doom. If on the other hand you are one of the immortal gods, step aside; I will have no quarrel with the immortals!”
“I am Glaucus, grandson of the legendary Bellerophon , the slayer of Chimera ” the Lycian hero replied. “Therefore, I will fear no one, nor will I step aside for no one, even though I’m a mortal man and not one of the immortals!”
Thus Glaucus spoke and Diomedes’ heart was filled with joy. He planted his spear to the ground and he said: “Then you are an old friend of my house, since our grandparents were friends in their time. Let us avoid one another’s spears even in general engagement. There are plenty of Trojans and allies for me to kill; there are plenty of Greeks for you to kill if you can. Let us exchange armor, so that all new generation may know of the old ties that subsist between our families”.
With these words they sprang from their chariots, they grasped one another’s hands and plighted friendship. Then they parted. Diomedes went on to kill Trojans; Glaucus went on to kill Greeks…
So, what do you think of this story? Would you consider Diomedes a “traitor”? Would you think he’s not the formidable champion of the Greeks anymore? Would you think his heart is “soft”? Would you? I believe you wouldn’t.
Believe it or not, there is still some “epic” element in the souls of modern Greeks. Diomedes would not fight Glaucus, because their families had forged a bond just two generations ago. May I remind you that the bond between Serbs and Greeks lasts for over 1000 years?
People say “this is just a game”. So what? I know most of you come from another game, which has been around for 3-4 years already. Greece and Serbia are in opposite Alliances in this game too. How many times did they invade one another’s core regions during these 3-4 years in this other game? I’m told they’ve never done so. Not even once!
Strange eh? I believe this tale from Iliad I just told you will give you a clue why these two countries are not willing to fight a full scale war against one another. There are plenty of “enemy” countries for us to attack. Why has it got to be Serbia? Can you give me a reason why it has got to be Serbia? No one has given us a good reason for that.
We will gain nothing if we do. We will only gain disgrace in our own eyes for failing to act as Greeks are supposed to act. We will also gain the eternal hatred of the Serbs. This is the Balkans, dear Bato Usai, the land of Hatred Everlasting. Once upon a time, Balkans was known as “the arsenal of Europe”. It still is. When one is standing next to a barrel of high explosives it would be unwise to play with matches.
P.S.: There’s also another story from the Iliad that might be of some relevance here: The story of Achilles who withdraws from battle because Agamemnon treats him disrespectfully. Perhaps I’ll come to you again, my Lithuanian frinds, to tell this story too…
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[Greece] Another tale from Homer's Iliad (14 years ago)
About the game:
USA as a world power? In E-Sim it is possible!
In E-Sim we have a huge, living world, which is a mirror copy of the Earth. Well, maybe not completely mirrored, because the balance of power in this virtual world looks a bit different than in real life. In E-Sim, USA does not have to be a world superpower, It can be efficiently managed as a much smaller country that has entrepreneurial citizens that support it's foundation. Everything depends on the players themselves and how they decide to shape the political map of the game.
Work for the good of your country and see it rise to an empire.
Activities in this game are divided into several modules. First is the economy as a citizen in a country of your choice you must work to earn money, which you will get to spend for example, on food or purchase of weapons which are critical for your progress as a fighter. You will work in either private companies which are owned by players or government companies which are owned by the state. After progressing in the game you will finally get the opportunity to set up your own business and hire other players. If it prospers, we can even change it into a joint-stock company and enter the stock market and get even more money in this way.
In E-Sim, international wars are nothing out of the ordinary.
Become an influential politician.
The second module is a politics. Just like in real life politics in E-Sim are an extremely powerful tool that can be used for your own purposes. From time to time there are elections in the game in which you will not only vote, but also have the ability to run for the head of the party you're in. You can also apply for congress, where once elected you will be given the right to vote on laws proposed by your fellow congress members or your president and propose laws yourself. Voting on laws is important for your country as it can shape the lives of those around you. You can also try to become the head of a given party, and even take part in presidential elections and decide on the shape of the foreign policy of a given state (for example, who to declare war on). Career in politics is obviously not easy and in order to succeed in it, you have to have a good plan and compete for the votes of voters.
You can go bankrupt or become a rich man while playing the stock market.
The international war.
The last and probably the most important module is military. In E-Sim, countries are constantly fighting each other for control over territories which in return grant them access to more valuable raw materials. For this purpose, they form alliances, they fight international wars, but they also have to deal with, for example, uprisings in conquered countries or civil wars, which may explode on their territory. You can also take part in these clashes, although you are also given the opportunity to lead a life as a pacifist who focuses on other activities in the game (for example, running a successful newspaper or selling products).
At the auction you can sell or buy your dream inventory.
E-Sim is a unique browser game. It's creators ensured realistic representation of the mechanisms present in the real world and gave all power to the players who shape the image of the virtual Earth according to their own. So come and join them and help your country achieve its full potential.
Invest, produce and sell - be an entrepreneur in E-Sim.
Take part in numerous events for the E-Sim community.
