To go where the Greek goat goes (photos)

There are over 5 million goats in Greece and, since antiquity, they’ve held a special place in the hearts of Greeks

Since the days when Zeus suckled goat’s milk from Amalthea, Greeks have had a soft spot for these creatures. And it wasn’t just Zeus who bought the humble goat to the fore because even god Dionysos, the god of revelry, suckled on a goat for milk before trading in dairy for wine. Even Hippocrates, the father of medicine had urged the ancients to drink nutritious goats.

If you believe the artworks, his passion for goats sometimes got out of hand –

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Greeks are wild about their goats, letting them roam the countryside. Tourists are often surprised finding the creatures in the most unlikely of places. It seems that nomatter where you go in Greece there’s always a goat to find.

Climbing up trees.

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Roaming through the mountainous countryside…

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Enjoying the view…

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Following their goatherd, who sometimes also doubles up as the village priest…

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Playing “follow the leader”…

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Watching you when you least expect it…

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Climbing the hilltop…

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Enjoying the Greek countryside…

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Traveling…

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Going for a swim on the isle of Naxos…

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