THE ETERNAL FIRES OF MOUNT CHIMAERA
Turkey

Click here for Episode 21

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Is this burning an eternal flame? Why yes. Yes, it is.

 

Nestled in the hills of Lycia in southwestern Turkey, the Yanartaş of Mount Chimaera is a series of methane-fueled fires that have burnt for at least 2500 years.  Lycia has a fascinating history and is well worth a quick detour from our narrative, so let's take a look.

 

Joining us is Roxanne from Mythology Translated, to share the myths of the chimaera and other fine folks.  We'll also talk Ionia, to set us up for the great conflict between Persia and Greece.

 

And we'll have some sweet, sticky halva! Oh, and Santa Claus shows up. Sort of.

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Sources:

 

Ball, Warwick. Towards One World : Ancient Persia and the West

Cook, J. M. The Persian Empire

English, Adam C.  The Saint Who Would Be Santa Claus : the True Life and Trials of Nicholas of Myra

Herodotus, The Histories

Lonely Planet Guide to Turkey

The Rough Guide to Turkey

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Photo by the brilliant Carole Raddato, found at @followinghadrian on Twitter and at followinghadrian.com.