captivated me. There, along with the Greek mainland, once
encompassing much of the Eastern Mediterranean, one finds
a substantial portion of where our beliefs originate. The young
American republic was enamored of everything Greek. Greek
thought formed or informed much of our Constitution. Our
first national architecture was a derivation of Greek building
aesthetics. We passionately supported Greek independence.
It was only natural that I wanted to reach back in time to
Greek foundations. In doing so, during that trip and in the
years since, I have discovered so much of value from all the
cultures that inhabit or have inhabited the Mediterranean.
Samothrace
