History

The ancient Greeks according various sources were enthousiastic about gamefowl and cockfighting. The sport was a popular pursuit not only for entertainment, but as a model for courage in the face of extreme adversity. One of the more famous stories of cockfighting involves Themistocles, the mighty Athenian General. When preparing for battle against the Persians, his troops witnessed two cocks fighting beside the road. Themistocles took this occasion to explain to his soldiers: "Behold, these do not fight for their household gods, for their monuments of their ancestors, for glory, for liberty, or the safety of their children, but only because the one will not give way to the other." A great battle between the armies ensued, and the Persians were defeated. The influence of this particular cockfight was perpetuated by the subsequent passage of a law requiring yearly cockfights in Athens, the construction of an amphitheater for cockfighting, and the required attendance of young men at cockfights to learn the lesson of courage and fortitude even to death.

Greece on the Map

Greece is located at the southernmost tip of Europe and has one of the most unique geographic formations of any country in Europe. Including the islands.Greece is washed on three sides by seas: by the Ionian Sea to the west, the Aegean Sea to the east and the Mediterranean Sea to the south. To the north lie Albania, former Yugoslavia and Bulgaria. To the northeast is Turkey.

Gamefowl in Greece

Ancient images of Greek life show Bankiva-type fighting cocks. At present day the majority of the Greek gamefowl population are Hint Horoz, a large mediumweight Aseel which originally have been imported from Turkey as well as the (occupied) Turkish part of Cyprus. Some other breeds have been imported into the country mostimes by Greeks living and working outside their homeland.

Picture Gallery - Click the arrow

Greece - interesting links

Information about the country - various links

Greek National Tourist Organisation

The best travel information source on Greece

Find gamefowl Friends around the World

Asian Gamefowl Society - Nr 1 information source on Asian gamefowl

AGS Greece Contactperson

For more information on Greek gamefowl please contact

Mr.Alexandros Karagiannis