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[[File:Ernest Shackleton before 1909.jpg|250px|left]]
[[File:Achaean Territory Claim.jpg|250px|left]]
'''[[Ernest Shackleton]]''' was a polar explorer who led three British expeditions to the [[Antarctica|Antarctic]], and one of the principal figures of the period known as the Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration.
The '''[[Achaean Territory of Antarctica]]''' was the original name of [[Westarctica]] when it was founded on 2 November 2001 by [[Grand Duke Travis|Travis McHenry]], who proclaimed himself [[Consul-General of the Achaean Territory]] prior to filing his legal claim to the territory. The Achaean Territory was a new country project that evolved into a [[Micronations|micronation]] named Westarctica in June 2004.


After the race to the [[South Pole]] ended in December 1911 with [[Roald Amundsen]]'s conquest, Shackleton turned his attention to the crossing of [[Antarctica]] from sea to sea, via the pole. To this end he made preparations for what became the Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition, 1914–17. Disaster struck this expedition when its ship, ''[[Endurance]]'', became trapped in [[pack ice]] and was slowly crushed before the shore parties could be landed. The crew escaped by camping on the sea ice until it disintegrated, then by launching the lifeboats to reach Elephant Island and ultimately the inhabited island of South Georgia, a stormy ocean voyage of 720 nautical miles and Shackleton's most famous exploit.
At the time he discovered the unique political situation of Marie Byrd Land, McHenry had been reading ''The Iliad'' and decided to give his claimed territory a culture that honored the ancient Greeks. It was from the pages of ''The Iliad'' that he chose the name "Achaea." He also decided to declare the seasonally-used [[Byrd Station]] the capital of his new country and re-christened the station Achilles, after the legendary Greek warrior and hero of the Trojan War. Rather than proclaim himself King or Emperor of the territory, McHenry selected a title that reflected his status as a representative of Achaea to the world at large. He declared himself [[Consul-General of the Achaean Territory|Consul-General]]. This title also served as a homage to Napoleon Bonaparte, who held the office of First Consul of France prior to becoming an Emperor.


'''([[Ernest Shackleton|Full Article...]])'''
'''([[Achaean Territory of Antarctica|Full Article...]])'''

Latest revision as of 05:06, 10 June 2025

Achaean Territory Claim.jpg

The Achaean Territory of Antarctica was the original name of Westarctica when it was founded on 2 November 2001 by Travis McHenry, who proclaimed himself Consul-General of the Achaean Territory prior to filing his legal claim to the territory. The Achaean Territory was a new country project that evolved into a micronation named Westarctica in June 2004.

At the time he discovered the unique political situation of Marie Byrd Land, McHenry had been reading The Iliad and decided to give his claimed territory a culture that honored the ancient Greeks. It was from the pages of The Iliad that he chose the name "Achaea." He also decided to declare the seasonally-used Byrd Station the capital of his new country and re-christened the station Achilles, after the legendary Greek warrior and hero of the Trojan War. Rather than proclaim himself King or Emperor of the territory, McHenry selected a title that reflected his status as a representative of Achaea to the world at large. He declared himself Consul-General. This title also served as a homage to Napoleon Bonaparte, who held the office of First Consul of France prior to becoming an Emperor.

(Full Article...)