Monument of the Unknown Solidier

The Monument of the Unknown Solidier in Athens, Greece are guarded by the Evzoni, an elite ceremonial guard unit attired in traditional uniform. Their uniform had its orgins in the the clothes worn by the klephts who fought in the Ottoman occupation of Greece. The most striking part of this uniform is the fustanella, a kilt-like garment traditionally worn by Balkan men.

The inscriptions in the wall include two quotations by Thucydides, from Pericles' Funeral Oration. Ἀνδρῶν ἐπιφανῶν πᾶσα γῆ τάφος ("For eminent men, every place is (worthy) burial ground") and Μία κλίνη κενὴ φέρεται ἐστρωμένη τῶν ἀφανῶν ("... and one bed is carried empty, made for the unknown ones").


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