For
there is nothing lost, that may be found, if sought.
Edmund
Spenser
This
is the fourth story in my Seven
Wonders of the Ancient World in Second Life (SL) series. My last
trip to find Temple
of Artemis at Ephesus was, let me say it, a flop.
This time,
I’m back in the saddle again! I went looking
for the Statue
of Zeus at Olympia and found it! OK, I had to go to the Spartan
Empire but that’s a minor detail. After all, the original’s location is not
known definitely.
For the late arrivals, my
rationale for this series about the Wonders of the Ancient World is that I’ve
been blogging about a variety of topics in Second Life (SL) lately. Fashion, steampunk, sex, pirates,
and friendship to
name but a few. (I’m nothing if not
eclectic.) However, I feel I’ve gotten
away from my roots. My
original intention was to travel across the grid to see new places and meet new
people. I think I’m
doing pretty well with the latter but the former maybe not so much.
A group of places that I’ve
always wanted to visit in Real Life (RL) and have been frustrated mostly by
time and to a certain extent by distance is the Seven Wonders of the Ancient
World. Given that only one of them
still stands and that unfortunately seems to be surrounded by a swirl of
political turmoil which looks like it won’t be ending any time soon, SL seems
to be a pretty good bet to go looking for them.
(Significant Other also likes the idea of me not clocking up any more
frequent flyer miles in RL.) This is the fourth in what will be a series of
seven stories.
The ancient world has always
had a certain fascination for me. Maybe
because I grew up in a country where we seem to have more people who are over
one hundred years old than we have buildings and monuments has something to do
with it.
Working from Wikipedia’s
list of the Seven Wonders, I was able to locate all seven within SL. This was a good sign and I have my marching
orders. I’m going to visit all of them
for my own sake and to bring the places and stories back to my readers.
I arrive in the Spartan
Empire. The landing zone overlooks the
harbor and ships of the Spartan navy can be seen in the distance. I begin to
walk towards the Temple
of Zeus. (On an earlier
visit to locate the site, King
Jaen of Sparta had been kind enough to guide me
there.)
I walk towards an impressive
looking classic Greek temple that’s maybe three stories tall. Upon entering the building I see an
impressive statue of Zeus at the far end of the sanctuary. The builders have done a very good job of
giving the statue a blinding effect from the reflected light.
All is quiet. RL temples and churches should be this
quiet.
The surrounding neighborhood
contains a collection of buildings in the ancient Greek style. (One has to look past the Christmas
decorations though at this time of the year for the full effect!) Shops offer period merchandise and posters
announce events and recruitment for the Spartan army. (I have enough trouble with RL politics
without getting mixed up with inworld wars.)
Like my three previous
trips, I didn’t have any interaction with anyone. I can see people in the distance but that’s
all. This brings me back to that idea
that’s been forming in my mind since I began this journey that maybe some
places in SL are just meant to be viewed and not occupied. This may also explain the low readership I’m
having with this series. (OK, maybe it’s
my writing but I’m working on that!) I’ll
explore this idea in future stories and with other residents.
My first visit had left me
worried about whether or not I was wasting my time with this series of
stories. My second visit reaffirmed my
original enthusiasm for the project. This
trip was not a success but I’ll go on. The
third was a disappointment because I couldn’t find my goal. This time I was successful. I hope that the remaining three Ancient
Wonders meet or exceed my expectations. (Assuming
that I can find them.)
As I wrote earlier, my
travels across SL have brought me to many different places. Admittedly, many of these journeys were
random. Now, I’m moving along on a
journey with a purpose. (Maybe I’m
growing up? Significant Other may have
another opinion here.) Searching for the
famous sites from antiquity seems like a worthwhile thing to do.
My reasons for this journey still
stand. First, how much of the ancient
world can I find inworld? Second, how
well has the ancient world been reconstructed?
My travels to date have brought me in contact with many residents who
are either building worlds in SL or are living their virtual lives there.
The Great Pyramid, the
Hanging Gardens of Babylon, the Temple of Artemis, and the Statue of Zeus are just
the first stops on this journey and I have three left. Anyone who would still like
to join me for part or all of it, please reach out to me and we’ll work out the
calendars. I’d be glad for the company!
I’ve included links to
several pictures I took of the sim I visited.
But check the sitesout for yourselves.
Pictures, especially when I’m the photographer, are never as good as
being there.
The dress code is ancient
but free costumes are available and I encourage everyone who visits to respect
the role playing environment.
As always, I’m grateful to
all for their kindness and time in stopping to talk with a stranger who was
passing through their lives.
I welcome feedback from
readers, please either comment on my blog or
e-mail me at webspelunker@gmail.com
.
If you would like to read about my other adventures in Second Life please click here.
If you would like to read about my other adventures in Second Life please click here.
Photo No. 2 Temple Interior
Photo No. 4 Sparta Dress Code
Photo No. 6 Spartan Empire Harbor
Photo No. 8 Spartan Empire Local Accommodations
2 comments:
Not enough info on obtaining costumes (When in Rome, dress as the Romans?)
I'll include sources for period costumes in future blogs.
Thanks for reading!
TC
web
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