Spencer's Dream Expedition to Greece

My name is Spencer Waddell, and I am asking for your assistance to take part in a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, one that had been planned for 2020. Like so many of us, our plans for special events were upended by the pandemic. Many of us, had unplanned expenses pop up during that time. Which set back numerous groups and individuals financially. This amazing event has been rescheduled on short notice for this summer of 2022, because of the imminent retirement of one of the most respected Hoplite archeologists in the world, Christian G. Cameron. This will be the last opportunity to work with him in the field and work with him in person for most of us. Please help me make this research trip a reality!

 

• Who- The Wandering Sword Project, to be represented by Spencer Waddell

 

• What- Plataea 2022. (www.plataea2022.com ) A seven-day historically immersive study event hosted by Hoplologia in cooperation with the Government of Greece, with the support of the local community and the Ephorate of Antiquities

 

• Why- To engage with recreationist study of the Persian War era soldiery and citizen activities of the Boeotian city of Plataea, and the experience of the Battle of Plataea in 479 BCE between the forces of the Great King of Persia, allied with the polis of Thebes, and the army of the Greek Alliance, including the Athenians, Spartans, and all of the other allies.

 

• Where- Greece, to include Athens, Thermopylae, Delphi, and Plataea, with other archeological and field expeditions

 

• When- July 24-August 1, 2022

 

• Of Special Note- This will be a last opportunity to work with acclaimed archeologist Christian G. Cameron in the field, as he is retiring this year. This event, which the Wandering Sword Project had planned to take part in in 2020, has been twice rescheduled due to the pandemic, but his retirement lends a special urgency to taking part this year.

This seven-day event is an amazing opportunity to not only walk in these ancients battlefields, but to take part in actual historic drill, battle maneuvers, and on-site research in an entirely immersive atmosphere. In addition, some of the field’s most respected experts in hoplology and archeology of the Persian wars will be there, allowing for unprecedented access and interview, especially on the interaction of Egypt and other ancient African nations with Greece and various Aegean and Mediterranean states in the turbulent 5th century BC.

 

This experience of the original battlefield, including the archeological site of the ancient city and the almost untouched area of each phase of the battle, should be an unparalleled experience. We will be touring these with expert professional archeologists, have daily interaction with interpreters and docents, and learn from military historians.

 

Plataea 2022 is both a reenactment event and a digital, so you can view the event explorations online, But additionally, I plan to be filming daily video blogs, and taking many photos, with special content set aside for donors (posting will occur after the event, as it is unlikely there will be connectivity on site.)

 

Lastly thank you to everyone who has helped me get this far! Your support throughout this journey to make my dreams come true has been truly life changing. If you can't support financially please share this so I may have a chance to make this happen.

 

Sincerely,

Spencer Waddell