The Enigma of the Epsilon Team: A Greek Folklore Shrouded in Conspiracy

In the shadowy realms of conspiracy theories and modern Greek folklore, a secret society known as the Epsilon Team—or Omada Epsilon in Greek—stands as both a source of fascination and controversy. This enigmatic group, first described in a 1977 book, allegedly consists of prominent Greek figures who possess secret, extraterrestrial knowledge. As the 1980s dawned, the narrative surrounding this society began to intertwine with anti-Semitic conspiracy theories, painting the Epsilon Team as warriors in a cosmic battle against the Jews. This body of beliefs, often referred to as epsilonism, has attracted a dedicated following known as epsilonists.

Origins and Evolution of the Myth

The roots of the Epsilon Team's mythology can be traced back to the fifth letter of the Greek alphabet, epsilon, a symbol historically associated with freedom and Greece itself. During the Greek War of Independence, this symbol gained prominence as a beacon of liberation. In the early 20th century, Spyridon Nagos, a Freemason and socialist, envisioned a secret society of elite Greeks working clandestinely for the nation's benefit, serving as a precursor to the epsilonists.

The modern narrative of the Epsilon Team began to take shape in the 1960s through the works of author George Lefkofrydis. Inspired by Plutarch's text "On the E at Delphi," Lefkofrydis developed a theory that Aristotle's writings contained hidden messages. In his 1977 book "Spaceship Epsilon: Aristotle's Organon: The Researcher," Lefkofrydis claimed to have discovered that Aristotle was, in fact, an extraterrestrial from the star Mu in the constellation Lagos (Lepus/Rabbit). He described a secret society of influential Greeks with extraterrestrial knowledge, dedicated to safeguarding the interests of the Greek people. Although Lefkofrydis' book was quickly withdrawn, his theories found fertile ground in the imaginations of others.

As the 1990s approached, the conspiracy theory gained traction in Greece through various books and magazine articles. The term "epsilonism" emerged to describe the phenomenon, often used by skeptics. The Delphic Epsilon, a symbol found on ancient Greek monuments and Inca artifacts, became emblematic of the Epsilon Team.

Prominent epsilonist writers in this era included Ioannis Fourakis, Anestis S. Keramydas, Dimosthenis Liakopoulos, and Georgios Gkiolvas. Fourakis is credited with coining the name "Epsilon Team" and integrating anti-Semitic elements into epsilonism. He portrayed Greeks as descendants of extraterrestrial beings, linked to the Olympian gods, and engaged in an ancient cosmic conflict against the Jews. Fourakis predicted a renaissance of Hellenic culture and religion through Greek Orthodox Christianity. In 1996, Keramydas, a former merchant navy officer, published the bestseller "Omada E," claiming membership in the secret society and emphasizing its racial, anti-Semitic, and pro-Orthodox themes. He went so far as to assert that Jews, too, were of extraterrestrial origin.

With the advent of the 2000s, epsilonism found new life on the internet, becoming the subject of numerous weblogs, websites, and online forums. Greek politician and television personality Kyriakos Velopoulos added to the discourse with his 2010 book "Epsilonism: Epsilon Team," published in English.

Cultural Impact and Controversy

Though considered fringe, the Epsilon Team phenomenon is relatively well-known in Greece, influencing conspiracy theory circles and popular culture. It has found an audience among right-wing, anti-Semitic factions and conservative Orthodox Christians. Some groups attempt to blend Christianity with spiritual Hellenicity, as seen in the magazine "Daulos." However, among Greek neopagans, the concept is typically met with ridicule.

Rumored Members and Organizations

Epsilonist literature has named several prominent individuals as members of the secretive Epsilon Team, including Aristotle Onassis, Alexander Onassis, archaeologist Spyridon Marinatos, publisher Ioannis Passas, mathematician Constantin Carathéodory, General C. Nikolaidis, physicist Kosta Tsipis, Athens mayor Antonis Tritsis, Greek-American George Tsantes (killed by the 17 November Group), Alexandros Bodosakis, Dimitris Liantinis, and astronomer Konstantínos Chasapis.

Various groups and individuals have claimed to represent the Epsilon Team. In October 2015, a significant event unfolded when five men were detained for bombing the Bank of Greece in Kalamata and the statue of Constantine XI Palaiologos in Mystras. These men, part of a terrorist group known as Team Epsilon, possessed a cache of explosives and firearms and had plans for additional attacks. They identified as pagans and aimed to dismantle a conspiracy they believed was inflicted on Greece by banks and Orthodox Christianity. At the bombing sites, they left behind the Delphic double "E," the recognized symbol of the Epsilon Team.

Meanwhile, the Club "E" Epsilon, led by former professional marathon runner Aristotelis Kakogeorgiou, distances itself from the Epsilon Team's conspiracy theories. Founded in 1962, Kakogeorgiou's organization claims the "E" stands for "Ellínon" ("Greeks") and welcomes people of all races and religions, rejecting anti-Semitism and the eschatological beliefs of epsilonism.

See Also

• Ancient astronauts
• Hellenocentrism
• UFO religion

Sources

• Kourdis, Evangelos (2016). "The Velopoulos-Liakopoulos Phenomenon. Α semiotic approach to the explosion of Greek conspiracy theories and urban legends in the economic crisis". In Leone, Massimo (ed.). Complotto / Conspiracy. Lexia: Journal of Semiotics (in Italian). Vol. 23–24. ISBN 978-88-548-9931-5.

• Makeeff, Tao T. (2018). "Was Aristotle an Anti-Semitic Alien? Conspiracy Theory, Ufology, and the Colonisation of the Past in Contemporary Greece". In Dyrendal, Asbjørn; Robertson, David G.; Asprem, Egil (eds.). Handbook of Conspiracy Theory and Contemporary Religion. Leiden; Boston: Brill. pp. 361–388. ISBN 978-90-04-38202-2.

• Newsbeast.gr (18 November 2018). "Το μέγα μυστήριο της Ομάδας Έψιλον" (in Greek). Retrieved 22 November 2019.

• Rakopoulos, Theodoros (2018). "Show me the money: Conspiracy theories and distant wealth". History and Anthropology. 29 (3): 376–391. doi: 10.1080/02757206.2018.1458723. hdl: 10852/71362. ISSN 0275-7206. S2CID 150246266.

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