Minoan Autumn

Original Greek Version

Η συγκομιδή ελιών και σταφυλιών ξεκίνησε!
Kόκκινο χρώμα από τα δέντρα εμφανίζεται.

Η καλοκαιρινές ακτίνες του Ήλιου δροσίζουν.
Στο πολύχρωμο τοπίο, oι δρόμοι ησυχάζουν.

Transliteration

I synkomidí elión kai stafylión xekínise!
Kókkino chróma apó ta déntra emfanízetai!

I kalokairinés aktínes tou Íliou drosízoun.
Sto polýhromo topío, oi drómoi isyházoun.

English Version

The olive and grape harvest has arrived!
Auburn hues of oaks and planes come alive!

Summer sun softens, gives way to brisk days.
Bustling streets halt in the changing landscape.

Literal Translation (sans proper syllable count)

The harvest of the olives and grapes has commenced!
Red color from the trees appears!

The summer rays of the Sun are cooling.
In the colorful landscape, the streets calm down.

Note: While there’s a lack of records, modern trends of Cretan weather can inform the distant past. Autumn was and is a time for harvesting the island’s greatest commodities: olives and grapes. Wine was also made at this time. As the plane (platanos) and oak trees took on striking brownish-red and golden hues (but the deep green of cypress and olive trees remained), the Minoans, like present-day Cretans, prepared for the winter ahead. The seasonal shift definitely brought much reprieve on an island known for its summers of harsh heat and VERY dismal rain (if any).