Here is more information on some of the best inventions that have come from Ancient Greece:

Democracy

Democracy is one of the most memorable and highly revered of all inventions from Ancient Greece. It was developed around 508 B.C. amidst a revolution. The people of the Athenian city-state were tired of being ruled by an elite class. They fought for their rights, and one of the elites, Cleisthenes, heard what the people had to say and developed something new – a government where the citizens would make decisions for themselves, rather than have the ruling class make the decisions for them.

Theater

Attending the theater is an ingrained part of modern society, as well as its offshoot – the cinema. We attend plays written by classic storytellers like Shakespeare, or modern plays and musicals in the best theaters throughout the world. Many people don’t realize that theater has its roots in Ancient Greece! In fact, theater was an integral part of the religion of the Ancient Greeks, and many of the classic mythological stories that we know of were told on the ancient stages.

Vending Machine

These days, we can find vending machines wherever we go. They can dispense just about everything, from drinks and snacks to even electronic devices and other goods. All you need to do is give the machine your money, key in the numbers that correspond to your selection, and the machine will dispense your goods. The first vending machine can be traced to Ancient Greece where it is believed they dispensed holy water at temples.

Steam Engine

Although the modern steam engine is credited to Thomas Savery, a primitive form of the steam engine can actually be traced to Alexandria, which at the time was part of Ancient Greece. Invented by Hero, this engine used steam to make it work, just like its modern-day equivalent, just in a much simpler way. Called the Aeolipile, many believe that his steam engine was actually used as a toy. However, that doesn’t make it any less innovative.

Modern Medicine

Medicine as we know it today wouldn’t be the same if it weren’t for the Ancient Greeks. The practice of medicine had been around in some form since man existed. However, it was the Ancient Greeks who elevated it into an art form, and many of the principals that were established from back then are still in place today.

Anchor

Greece is essentially surrounded by water. There are hundreds of islands, and much of the mainland is in close proximity to the sea. With such a maritime presence, it is inevitable that the Greeks were avid seafarers. Boats were used for transportation, trade, and even warfare. The anchor was invented out of necessity because they allowed the boats to stay in place easier than if they were simply tied to something.

Showers

Did you know that modern showers have their roots in Ancient Greece? Bathing rituals were always an important part of Greek culture. Primitive showers in Ancient Greece were actually waterfalls. At the time, aqueducts were used for irrigation. The water was fed into the showers and used as part of community bathing.

As you can see, the Ancient Greeks were innovative, and many of the inventions are still important today.

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Here’s a look at some of the best battles that took place in Ancient Greece:

Battle of Marathon

The Battle of Marathon was a part of the First Persian Invasion where King Darius of Persia attempted to conquer Greece. In this battle, the armies from Marathon and Plaea joined forces to try to fend off the Persians. The battle itself was a victory and it proved to the rest of the world and to the Ancient Greeks that it was possible to defeat the Persian Empire. Not only was this an important battle, but it also formed the basis of the marathon foot races that are so popular today!

Battle of Thermopylae

The legend of the three hundred Spartan soldiers that managed to hold off the Persian Empire before finally succumbing is one of those takes that has been told for thousands of years. The Spartans devised a brilliant battle strategy that involved trapping the Persian Army inside the pass at Thermopylae. Aside from a secret passageway, there was only one way in and one way out. The Spartans almost won the battle, but they were ultimately betrayed by a fellow Greek, who told the Spartans of a secret way through the pass. Though this battle was an outright loss for the Greeks, it set the tone for the Persian’s eventual defeat. Messengers were able to send word to Athens so that they could assemble their navy.

Battle of Salamis

While the Spartans and Persians were fighting hard at Thermopylae, a messenger managed to send word to the Athenians that the Persians had arrived once again in Greece. After the First Persian Invasion, there are those in Athens who knew they would be back. So, the citizens voted to build and fortify a strong navy in order to beat the Persians when they did return. Ten years after they left, the Persians arrived again to try again to invade Greece. After the Persians defeated the Spartans at Thermopylae, the Athenian Navy was ready. They had devised a brilliant and legendary naval battle plan at Salamis. The Athenian Navy won the day, and ultimately this set the stage for the Greeks to win the war. The Persians left and never came back.

Battle of Aegospotami

The Peloponnesian War pitted two powerful Greek city-states, Sparta and Athens, against each other. While the legendary Athenian Navy defeated the Persians, the entire fleet was nearly destroyed during this battle as part of the Peloponnesian War. It is said that around nine ships managed to escape. The loss at this battle was devastating to the Athenians. They were hungry and suffering and rather continue fighting the Spartans any further during the war, they decided to surrender.

Battle of Chaeronea

Phillip of Macedon started the push to conquer Greece. The Battle of Chaeronea is what started this out for him. It was the first decisive battle in what would be a push to defeat all of the city-states and kingdoms of Greece. Eventually, Phillip would gain control of much of Greece before his death. His defeat of the Greeks helped solidify Greece as one, powerful place, rather than a series of self-governed places. Eventually his son, Alexander, would pick up where he left off because he spread Greece’s influence Easter by conquering prominent places like Persia and India.

There were some memorable battles that took place in Ancient Greece. These are some of the most important.

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There were a lot of important plays and playwrights in Ancient Greece that we still know about today. In order to understand how important theater really was to the Greek people, it is a good idea to either read these plays or watch them live. Most of these are still performed today. Here are some of the top Ancient Greek plays to take a look at.

Oedipus Rex by Sophocles

This classic tragedy is still read and performed today. In Oedipus Rex, a father leaves his own son, Oedipus, to die in a field. Rather than die, he is taken in by another family and raised. While with this family, Oedipus is told by an Oracle that he will murder his father and sleep with his mother. Despite his best efforts to prevent this from happening, he does both of these things.

Prometheus Bound by Aeschylus

Though Aeschylus wrote two other plays about Prometheus, Prometheus Bound is the most popular and influential. It is important to note that historians believe it unclear if Aeschylus truly wrote it. However, he is given the credit. In it, we follow the tragic life of Prometheus, the Titan who gave fire to mankind. Zeus ultimately punished him for his actions.

Medea by Euripedes

Euripedes is another important playwright from Ancient Greece and one of his best works was Medea. Medea was the wife of Jason, whom we know from the story, Jason and the Argonauts. As the play opens, Jason has just left Media for another woman. He promised to keep her on as a mistress.

However, Medea was unsatisfied with this arrangement and plotted her revenge. Part of the fun of this play is wondering who the villain of the story really was. Was it Jason for leaving her, or Medea for plotting her revenge?

The Persians by Aeschylus

The Ancient Greeks’ struggle with the Persians was on people’s minds for a long time. Sophocles penned his tragedy, The Persians, as a reminder of this time. In it, Sophocles focuses on Xerxes, the Persian Empire’s feared leader, as he finds out about the Persians’ loss at the Battle of Salamis.

Antigone by Sophocles

Antigone is another tragedy written by Sophocles. Here, we focus on Antigone who was the daughter of Oedipus and his mother, Jocasta. Sophocles uses this tale as a way to warn us against our own pride. In this story, Antigone witnesses her brothers fighting for the throne – a conflict that eventually killed one of them.

As you can see, theater was an important part of the Ancient Greek culture. These plays are all excellent examples of tragedies. Each one tells a story that not only has unique and interesting plots, but also teaches a moral lesson. In order to truly understand the Ancient Greeks, reading these plays is essential.

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Have you been fascinated with Ancient Greece? Well, even though that era of history has passed, you can still enjoy some remnants. There is plenty of Ancient Greek history sites still standing today that you can visit. Here is a list of some of the historic sites to visit.

Athens, Greece

Athens is the biggest city in Greece. It is also one of the oldest and is therefore the home to a few major historic sites.

• Parthenon. An ancient temple that was built in 440 BC. It was originally dedicated to the Athena, the Greek goddess of wisdom. It is still standing today.
• Plaka. One of the most historic neighborhoods in Athens. It is near the Parthenon, so you can easily visit both. Referred to as the “Neighborhood of the Gods”, this section is one of the oldest in all if Athens. The Plaka developed around the ruins of the Agora.
• Acropolis. This is also an ancient historic site that is near the Parthenon. This is the name of the hill where the Parthenon sits.
• Syntagma Square. The major square in Athens, which is also rich in history. Currently, this is where the Parliament building sits. The Greek Parliament Building was at one time the palace to the royalty.
• Agora. This is an historic market in Athens. The Parthenon is known to actually sit on the Agora, and the Plaka neighborhood also overlaps the Agora somewhat since the Plaka was developed out of the Agora.

If you are unable to visit anywhere else in Greece, Athens is a must-see. The Parthenon and the surrounding area are a big part of the culture and history of Ancient Greece that are absolutely worth a visit.

Sounion, Greece

Cape Sounion is known for being the site of the Ancient Temple of Poseidon. It is close to Athens and the taxi ride from wherever you are staying in the city to Sounion won’t be that expensive.  Most taxi drivers will be happy to drive you there for a fixed fee so you can visit the Temple of Poseidon. You can also take public transportation.

This ancient temple overlooks the ocean and seems to be the perfect tribute to the God of the Sea. The Ancient Athenians had a special relationship with Poseidon. Although he lost the competition against Athena when the citizens were trying to decide on their patron god or goddess, Athenians did acknowledge how important the sea was to them, especially when they developed their formidable navy.

Ancient Olympia

Our modern Olympic games are based on the festivities that happened here in ancient times. The games were held every four years and were an opportunity for the city-states to put forth their best athletes so they could complete with one another.

These games were not only a great test of athleticism, they were also looked at as a dedication to the gods and goddesses. You can still visit the grounds today so you can see where the Ancient Olympic Games in Greece took place.

Ancient Ruins at Delphi

In Ancient Greece, Delphi was considered one of the most important cities and the ruins are still standing today. Many of the ruins that are still standing today have been there since the 5th Century BC. In the Archaic Period, Delphi was considered a major political player in Ancient Greece.

There is a temple dedicated to Apollo on Delphi. He had the gift of prophecy but he actively sought an oracle that he could enlist for help in seeing the future. People would flock to the temple to visit the oracle.

In modern Greece, there are several historic sites that are worth a visit. When you visit the country, be sure to visit Athens, Delphi, Olympia, and Sounion. These are four of the major sites in Modern Greece that are rich with ancient history.

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It Began at the Battle of Marathon.

The first marathon actually took place at the Battle of Marathon. The scene of the ancient battle is actually a top tourist destination in Greece, and many avid marathon runners enjoy seeing the grounds because of its ties to their favorite race. The battle itself took place during the legendary Greco-Persian Wars, and if it weren’t for the bravery of one messenger, the results of that war would have been much different.

The outcome of the Battle of Marathon was significant because it showed that the Persian Empire wasn’t as “mighty” as was originally believed. The Persians originally believed that Ancient Greece would be an easy place to conquer. At the time, it was divided into a series of city-states, which, on the surface, made the region look like an easy one to conquer.

Heroics of the Greek Messenger – Pheideppes

However, the Battle of Marathon began to change that. Ultimately, the Greeks were victorious, and it was all because of the heroic acts of the messenger, Pheideppes, that changed the tide of the war. After the Greek army defeated the Persian army, the commander, Miltiades, told his messenger to send word to Athens that the Persians were headed their way.

Pheideppes did as he was told and ran the distance between Marathon and Athens as fast as he possibly could. Even though he was depleted by the journey (which we later realized, he might have actually run longer than the 26 miles), he managed to deliver the message that the Persians were on their way. The Athenians were able to prepare for war, which meant that the Persians completely lost the element of surprise. Athens won that battle, and Ancient Greece went on to win the war.

Unfortunately, Pheideppes life was cut short and he died shortly after he delivered his message, but was hailed as a hero. Of course, this story is considered a legend, and we may actually never know how the events actually transpired.

The Modern Marathon is Born

The first modern marathon race took place at the Athens Olympics in 1896, which was the site of the first modern Olympics. The race itself was added to the list of events to honor the ancient heroics of Pheideppes. However, unlike the first marathoner, the people who participated in the Olympics were able to train for the event.

Today, marathon races are run all over the world. In fact, this is considered one of the most elite races in the world! Marathons draw beginners and experienced runners alike, and each one who completes the race feels a sense of accomplishment. All of this has been made possible because of Ancient Greece!

Sources:  Wikipedia, Brittanica

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Who Really Had the First Coin?

It’s fairly difficult to determine which ancient civilization was the absolute first to use coin money. It is widely acknowledged that the Ancient Greeks, Ancient Chinese, and Ancient Lydians all began using coins around the same time, beginning in the 8th Century BC.  Examples of money were found across all three civilizations, which is a strong indicated that they all started to use them around the same time.

Greek Drachma Started as Long Rods

One thing is for certain – Greeks have been using some form of money in exchange for goods and services since 1100 BC. Back then, however, the drachma wasn’t shaped like coins – it had the form of several long rods and offered a way for people to value their goods and services in a more standardized way. Trading for other goods and services is fairly inconsistent. Once the drachma was invented, it changed the nature of the economics in Greece.

Ancient Greeks Start Using Coin Money

As mentioned above, it is difficult to pinpoint exactly when the Ancient Greeks started using coin money. It is likely that they did so at the same time as other civilizations, such as the Chinese and the Ancient Lydians. In fact, the Lydian Lion, the ancient coin that came from Lydia, is shaped in a similar way to the Greek drachma, which suggests that the two forms of currency somehow influenced each other. Originally, the drachma coin was measured as 1/6 of a standard drachma rod, and offered an easy way to break the drachma up into smaller units.

The System Gets More Sophisticated

Even though the original drachma featured cylindrical rods, the system got a lot more sophisticated over time. The original system, which was entirely based on the value of these rods, eventually fell out of favor. Instead, a sophisticated system of coinage took its place. Here are some of the coins that were eventually available in Ancient Greece:

• Dekadrachm – was the equivalent of 10 Drachma.
• Tetradrachm – was the equivalent of 4 Drachma.
• Didrachm -was the equivalent of 2 Drachma.
• Drachma – was the equivalent of 6 obols.
• Tetrobol – was the equivalent of 4 obols.
• Triobol – was 3 obols, or 1/2 a drachma.
• Diobol – was the equivalent of 2 obols.
• Obol – was the equivalent of 4 tetartemoria, or 1/6 a drachma.
• Tritartemorion – was the equivalent of 3 tetartemoria.
• Hemiobol – was the equivalent of 3 tetartemoria.

The Greeks absolutely may have been the first to use coin money. However, it’s something that is difficult to trace for sure. No matter if they were the first or not, they definitely influenced their neighbors and they were also the first civilization in Europe to use coin money.

Sources:

Wikipedia – Coin Money

Wikipedia – Greek Drachma

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Besides all the positive things that have come out of Ancient Greece, there have also been plenty of wars. The outcome of many of these wars shaped the course of history. Here’s a look at the most memorable conflicts that took place in Ancient Greece:

Peloponnesian War

This lengthy war pitted the two strongest parts of Ancient Greece against each other – Sparta and the city-state of Athens. This war came in waves, and there was also a period of extensive time period of peace between the two major waves. Ultimately, the Sparta won the war, but it wasn’t without costs to both sides. Neither side was the same after the war and never Sparta nor Athens were able to achieve the same level of greatness they achieved before the war.

Persian War

This memorable war had plenty of famous moments. For example, the legendary Spartan 300 that lost their lives in Themopylae took place during the Persian War. During this time, the Persian Empire tried to take over Ancient Greece on two separate occasions, and neither one of them resulted in the Persian’s victory. In both wars – the First Persian Invasion and the Second Persian Invasion, the Greeks fought off the might empire. Eventually, the Persians left and never tried again.

Lamian War

This war, also known as the Hellenic War, pitted the city-state of Athens against the Aetolian Confederacy.  This war basically took place after Alexander the Great, who had conquered most of Greece and beyond when he was alive. After his death, the portions of Greece that he took over, particularly Athens, tried to regain control of their own regions. Athens didn’t achieve its desired result and this war marked the end of the great Hellenistic Period in Greece.

Messenian War

Both Messenian Wars (there were two) played a large part in helping Sparta grow their military. During this war, Sparta and the city-state of Messenia fought a long conflict where Sparta tried to gain control of the region. Their goal was to conquer Messenia and then enslave the population. While they did manage to overcome Messenia, the people mostly fled after the war was over to escape Spartan rule.

Trojan War

Although most of us associate this war as a part of Greek Mythology, there has been some speculation and debate as to whether or not the war actually took place. There are those who believe that the myths that were told about the war had some basis in fact. It was basically assumed that the story of the war was just that – a story. However, when archaeologists uncovered that Troy was a real place, their perspective about the war began to change. Of course, there is still debate as to whether or not archaeologists actually did find Troy. If the war is found to have really existed, it would be considered one of the major conflicts in Ancient Greece.

As you can see, Ancient Greece had some memorable and important wars. It is important to learn about them!

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Planned By Pericles

Although there is evidence that the hill where the Acropolis now stands had been inhabited since the 4th Millennium B.C., what we see today was planned under the guidance of Pericles, the Athenian general and politician. He wanted to create a lasting memorial for the goddess Athena, who was the patron goddess of the city. Although there are other aspects of the Acropolis, the most recognizable building is the Parthenon, which is the temple that is dedicated to her.   The first stone was placed in the ground on July 28 in 447 B.C during the Panathenaic Festival, which was dedicated to the goddess. The Acropolis was also meant to show the rest of the world how truly great the Athenian city-state was.

Hiring Talented Architects and Sculptors

The Acropolis was also an expensive project. Since Pericles wanted it to be grand, he hired the most talented and skilled architects of the time to design it such as Callicrates, Mnesikles, Iktinos, and Phidias, who was a highly revered sculptor. Phidias created all the sculptures that adorned the Acropolis, included the Elgin Marbles that are currently on display in the British Museum. One of the highlights of Phidias’ work was a gold sculpture of the goddess herself.

Considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site

The Acropolis is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This means that the area is now a protected landmark so that all generations can enjoy it and learn from it. Over the years, the Acropolis has been damaged from invasions, neglected, and general wear and tear.

Here’s what the Unesco World Heritage website has to say about it:

The Athenian Acropolis is the supreme expression of the adaptation of architecture to a natural site. This grand composition of perfectly balanced massive structures creates a monumental landscape of unique beauty consisting of a complete series of masterpieces of the 5th century BC. The monuments of the Acropolis have exerted an exceptional influence, not only in Greco-Roman antiquity, a time when in the Mediterranean world they were considered exemplary models, but in contemporary times as well.

The Acropolis in Athens is one of the most recognizable landmarks in Greece and it points to the glory days of the Ancient Athenians, as well as offering a fitting tribute to the city’s patron goddess, Athena.

Source:

Ancient History Encyclopedia – Acropolis

Wikipedia – Acropolis of Athens

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Did you know that many of the things we enjoy in modern society were invented by the Ancient Greeks? One of the most important of these is the system of democracy that people all over the world enjoy. In fact, democracy is looked at as in ideal government because of the freedoms that the citizens enjoy. This all wouldn’t be possible if it weren’t for Ancient Athens!

Democracy Begins in 6th Century BC

The first system of democracy that we know of began in Athens in 507 BC. The leader at the time Cleisthenes, implemented a system called “demokratia”, which is translated as meaning “rule by the people.” While there might be evidence to suggest that some form of democracy took place in other places before this time, but the Ancient Athenians set up a system that is structured in a way that has inspired the democratic governments that are around today.

Three Branches of Democratic Government

In particular, the Athenian form of democracy was set up into three branches of government including:

• Ekklesia – a part of the government was made up of elected officials who were responsible for writing the laws and organizing foreign policy
• Boule – a council of representatives from each of the Athenian tribes
• Dikasteria – a system of courts where people stood trial in front of citizen jurors

While the original Athenian system hasn’t always been adopted exactly as it was originally created, modern democracies have used the original system as inspiration. The general idea is that the people have powered the government as a whole.

What Democracy Has Accomplished

Cleisthenes first adopted this system of government as a way to take the power of governing away from the corruption that the original system that was in place caused. In particular, several powerful Athenian aristocrats who only made decisions based on what was best for them had ruled the government. The democratic system of government changed that.

The ancient historian Herodotus wrote:

“Equality is a good thing. Evidence for this is the fact that while they were under tyrannical rulers, the Athenians were no better in war than any of their neighbors, yet once they got rid of their tyrants, they were by far the best of all. “

Through his writing, we learn that the aristocrats who ruled before democracy was put it into place were tyrants who didn’t support equality amongst the people. Over time, democracy became synonymous with equality, which means that this form of government has become the ideal standard for those who strive to maintain a fair and equal style of government.

End of Ancient Athenian Democracy

Unfortunately for the Ancient Athenians, the demokratia didn’t endure. By the time 460 BC came around and Pericles came into power, the original system started to change. The new system has been described as an aristocracy and it put the power of governing back into the elite members of society. This means that democracy was rather short lived in Ancient Athens. However, the impact of the original system is still felt today, as governments all over the world adopt their own version of democracy.

Sources: Wikipedia, History Channel

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City-State Government

Unlike today’s country, Ancient Greece wasn’t governed as one unified body, at least at first. It wasn’t until Alexander the Great that Ancient Greece became a united empire. However, the area that we acknowledge to be Ancient Greece was actually made up of several self-governing city-states. When the Hellenic people first migrated into the region, they gravitated towards the sea, which provided the people with seafood, and also anywhere that offered enough workable land to grow crops. Prominent city-states include Athens, Sparta, Corinth, and Delphi. Many of these city-states had a specific tribal origin.

Two General Regions

He portion of Ancient Greece that is now considered the mainland of modern-day Greece can be divided into two basic parts. The northern region was just above the Gulf of Corinth and the southern region was below the gulf. Northern Greece was fairly small and the most notable portion of it was Delphi, home of the famous oracle in mythology. Southern Greece is where both Sparta and Athens were located. At one point, these were the two most prominent city-states in Ancient Greece.

Greek Colonies

There are some parts of Ancient Greece that were actually considered colonies. Around the seventh and eighth centuries B.C., the people became interested in expanded their opportunities. So, they settled in areas of southern Italy, France, and Spain in an effort to foster economic expansion. This area is now referred to as Magna Graecia. There were also colonies that were established in certain places in northern Africa, such as Libya and Egypt.

Asia Minor

Asia Minor, which is located in southwest Asia, was also part of Ancient Greece. Today, most of it is now the country of Turkey. Greek speaking people began settling in this region around the eighth century B.C., around the same time as they moved westward into Magna Graecia. After Alexander the Great pushed the Greek Empire further east, the entire region was opened up to colonization. In the early days of Christianity, Constantinople, now Istanbul, was the capital of the Byzantine Empire.

Prominent Greek Islands

There are several islands that had the biggest impact on Ancient Greek history. Many of these islands are popular today as tourist destinations. These are the Cyclades, Crete, Rhodes, Lesvos, Samos, and Cyprus, which is currently its own nation. These islands were inhabited early on in Greece’s history. For example, Crete was the home of the ancient Minoan Civilization.

As you can see, Ancient Greece makes up a large area. This can help you visualize things better when learning about Ancient Greek history.

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Aristotle

Known as the “father of Western philosophy,” Aristotle, who lived between 384-322 BC, is credited with taking the philosophical systems of both Socrates and Plato and creating a well developed synthesis of them. Also, his method of inquiry and problem solving have become fundamental tools in Western thought.

Socrates

Socrates, who lived between 470–399 BC, is considered one of the primary founders of Western philosophy. He is also considered the first moral philosopher. Interestingly, he left no writings and is only known through the writings of others, most significantly his student Plato. Socrates was famously put on trial and convicted for supposedly corrupting the minds of youth and was forced to commit suicide.

Plato

Known as the founder of both Western religion and spirituality, Plato, who lived between 428-347 BC, founded what is considered the first higher-learning institution in the West. In addition to playing a pivotal role in the development of Western philosophy, he was both a student of Socrates and a teacher of Aristotle.

Thales of Miletus

Thales of Miletus, who lived between 624-545 BC, is considered by many, including Aristotle, to be the first Greek philosopher. One of the Seven Sages of Greece during the 6th century BC, Thales is credited as being the first person in Western civilization to engage in scientific philosophy.

Pythagorus

Pythagorus, who lived between 570–495 BC, was an early Greek philosopher who influenced both Plato and Aristotle and therefore all of Western philosophy as a whole. He was also one of the greatest scientists and mathematicians of his day, and many of his discoveries, such as the Pythagorean theorem, are still widely in use today.

Democritus

Democritus, who lived between 460–370 BC, was an early Greek philosopher who is credited for discovering that the universe was composed of atoms. Some consider him to be the “father of modern science,” and though none of his writings survived, many of his ideas have.

Anaxagorus

Anaxagorus, who lived between 510–428 BC, was a philosopher who had a deep influence on Socrates as well as on major thinkers throughout the ages. He is credited with introducing the notion of a Cosmic Mind ordering the universe. He was also a noted scientist.

Parmenides

Parmenides of Elea was a philosopher who lived in either the late sixth century BC or early fifth century BC. His one surviving work is a poem called On Nature, which is considered to be the first philosophical study on the nature of being, making him one of the founders of ontology.

Diogenes

Diogenes, who lived between 412-323 BC, is credited as being one of the founders of Cynic philosophy, which believes that the purpose of life is to live virtuously. He also believed in the virtue of poverty. He famously lived in a large ceramic jar in his town’s marketplace.

Solon

Solon, who lived between 638–558 BC, is known for playing a pivotal role in the development of Athenian democracy, by calling for moral reforms of Athenian society. Like Thales of Miletus, he was considered one of the Seven Sages of Greece and his ideas influenced Greece for centuries.

These philosophers helped shape not only Greece but the modern world as we know it. They laid the foundations of Western thought.

Sources:

Aristotle | Socrates | Plato | Thales of Miletus | Pythagorus | Democritus | Anaxagorus | Parmedies | Diogenes | Solon

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The oath itself has evolved into the version that we most commonly use today. However, the main idea is still the same. The oath allows physicians to swear that they will heal to the best of their ability, spread their knowledge to others, and put the patient’s needs before their own. The principal of “Do No Harm” arose out of the Hippocratic Oath.

Here is an example of some of the lines from the modern version:

I do solemnly vow, to that which I value and hold most dear:

That I will honor the Profession of Medicine, be just and generous to its members, and help sustain them in their service to humanity;

That just as I have learned from those who preceded me, so will I instruct those who follow me in the science and the art of medicine; …

Sources

• Wikipedia
• Brittanica
• Cornell University

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Most of us understand that he was a powerful leader who expanded the reach of Ancient Greece far into the East. However, that’s only a small part of his story. In fact, his role in Ancient Greek history is an interesting one. People often see him as a conqueror, but others also acknowledge that he also unified Greece. He also spread the Greek influence all the way through the East and into India.

Here is an overview of who Alexander was and what he truly accomplished:

Alexander’s Early Life

Alexander lived in Macedon while his father, King Philip II, ruled as king. King Philip had multiple wives but it was his fourth, Olympias, who birthed Alexander. From a young age, King Philip knew that he wanted to groom Alexander so that he could be a great king. He had all the best tutors and he also learned military strategy and trained to be an effective soldier.

As mentioned above, he had the best education his dad could secure for him. Up until the age of sixteen he was tutored by Aristotle, who was one of the greatest philosophers in Ancient Greece. Philip hand selected Aristotle after considering other candidates.

Philip had a vision of uniting Greece and invading Persia. After Alexander was finished with his tutor, Philip made sure that Alexander not only understood this vision but also got practical experience.

When Alexander was sixteen years old, the Thracian Maedi revolted against the Macedonians while Philip was away. Alexander squashed the revolt. King Philip began to include Alexander in more and more of his military campaigns.

Crowning a New King of Macedon

Philip was assassinated in 336 BC while attending a wedding. Alexander was only twenty years old but he had already had a lot of military experience, which made it easier for him to follow his father’s footsteps. The nobility acknowledged Alexander as the rightful heir and he inherited the throne shortly after.

The first thing Alexander did was to get rid anyone who posed a threat to his reign as king. Rivals for the throne such as his cousin, Amyntas IV, and two other princes from Macedon, were executed. His throne now secure, he could now focus on being the King.

Philip’s death also caused some unrest amongst the people, particularly those in Thrace, Thebes, Thessaly, and Athens. Rather than let the revolts continue, Alexander sent troops to stabilize the regions and handle the unrest.

Becoming Alexander the Conqueror

One of the things Alexander is best known for is how he moved his army towards the East. At the time, his army numbered over 40,000 and in addition to making his way towards Persia and beyond, he had to react to the general unrest throughout Greece.

In other words, his goal was to conquer both the Greek city-states and also other surrounding countries. His father started the process of conquering the city-states and Alexander simply picked up where he left off. Once Greece was secured, he began to move East.

Alexander Conquers the East and Invades Persia

In 334 B.C., Alexander officially invaded Persia. It took three years but at the age of twenty-five, he was successful. He had other campaigns while conquering Persia. For example, he conquered Egypt and founded Alexandria during that time. Eventually, he pushed even further east and spread the Hellenic influence even further.

Essentially, Alexander set out to continue the work that Philip began. He not only envisioned a Greece that was united, but he also had his sights set on conquering Persia. His plans were halted with his assassination. Philip never had a chance to see that his vision was realized.

Though he was a great conqueror, Alexander’s greatest legacy was spreading Hellenism into the Far East.

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Early Life of Constantine

Constantine was born in 277, and, during his formative years, the Roman Empire had become a tetrarchy. Although it was still one empire, there were separate Augustus (senior) emperors in its western and eastern regions. Under each Augustus Emperor was a Caesar (junior) Emperor who presided over a subdivision of each region.

The son of Constantius, the Caesar in the West, Constantine spent much of his time during his father’s reign in the court of Diocletian, the Augustus of the East. He was likely exposed to Christians before Diocletian instituted a widespread persecution of them. As Diocletian’s health failed and led to his resignation, the political fallout left Constantius passed over for promotion to Augustus and replaced as Caesar. However, upon his death, Constantine’s popularity with the military enabled him to force his own ascension to Caesar.

Rule of Constantine

Through the ebbs and flows of political and military conflict, Constantine emerged as the sole emperor of the entire Roman Empire by 325. Early in his reign as Caesar, he practiced religious tolerance, apparently because he deemed it pragmatic to do so. In 313, he enacted the Edict of Milan, which officially granted tolerance to Christianity and all religions.

Although he was not baptized as a Christian until he was near death, he used Christian symbols and invoked Christian inspiration during the civil wars that expanded his power. Whether out of sincere belief or political expedience, he broadly supported the Christian Church and even intervened in its doctrinal disputes. This was most evident in 325 when he convened the Council of Nicea, which produced the Nicene Creed familiar to liturgical Christians to this day.

As he dealt with inflation that resulted from excessive minting to supply government funds, Constantine converted Rome to a version of the gold standard. He also reorganized the Senate. Not wary of violence, he had his wife and eldest son executed, allegedly due to an immoral relationship.

Constantine’s Legacy

Constantine was not only able to reunite the Roman Empire in his day, but he won a number of other impressive victories. He was lauded in his day for his perceived virtue and was later held up as a model of leadership. However, as sources critical of him have gained prominence, this legacy is disputed.

The contested Donation of Constantine was alleged to have given the Pope political authority over Rome and its vicinity. However, it was later shown to be a forgery. The authenticity of Constantine’s faith is likewise a point of contention, with some sources viewing him as a Christian visionary and others holding him to have exploited Christians and others for his own purposes.

Source:

Wikipedia – Cnstantine the Great

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In fact, the Parthenon is more than just an old building to visit while in Athens. It was a temple originally dedicated to the goddess Athena. Here’s an overview of this temple’s history:

Origins of the Parthenon

The word acropolis means “high city” in Greek, and numerous other ancient Greek and Hellenistic cities have their own fortified acropolises. But if its one thing that sets the Athenian Acropolis apart from Corinth’s Acropolis or Thebe’s Acropolis it is the Parthenon. But because of the cultural and historical significance of the Athenian Acropolis it is widely referred to as The Acropolis.

The building we know and see today is actually a replacement for the so-called “Older or Pre-Parthenon” that was destroyed along with the rest of the Acropolis’ buildings by the invading Persians in 480 BC. The legendary Athenian statesman, general, and orator Pericles launched an ambitious and absolutely massive rebuilding campaign of Athens, the one that gave us the buildings still standing on the Acropolis today.

Construction of the Parthenon

Construction of the Parthenon started in 447 BC and was completed some 15 years later in 432 BC—which makes the Parthenon nearly 2,500 years old. But don’t let its incredible age fool you; the temple was on the cutting edge of technology and design. Its architects were Ictinus and Callicrates, while t

he legendary artist Phidias executed its famous sculptural decoration. Unlike many other Greek—and later Roman temples—the Parthenon (its columns, steps, roof walls and sculptural decoration) is made entirely out of flawless Pantelic Marble from nearby Mt. Pantelikon.

The Parthenon is a temple in the classical Greek Doric style, meaning that its columns have simple capitals, fluted [deep grooves] column shafts, and no bases. There are eight of these columns on either end of the building and seventeen columns running along its sides. As is the case with many other Greek temples, the columns are not actually a single solid piece of marble, rather they are made by stacking massively carved column drums one on top of another aligned perfectly. This is executed so well on the Parthenon that in many cases you cannot even see the space between two separate column drums.

Visual Beauty of the Parthenon

The Ancient Greeks worked hard to create a visually appealing aesthetic with the Parthenon. For example, a long flat line in a building (like the floor of the Parthenon) appears to bow outward or sag when viewed from afar, which meant its columns would also be distorted. To prevent this, the leveled steps that the columns rest on [the stylobate] actually curve up in the center. The stylobate on the front and back of the building is actually over 2” taller in the center than on the ends, and on the sides it is over 4” higher in the center.

To further emphasize this, the columns actually lean inwards, away from the outside viewer. It is actually calculated that if you could draw a straight line from the center of each column up over a mile into the sky, the columns would actually come together and touch one another. Each column is not the same diameter throughout thanks to an effect called entasis, where the middle of each column slightly bulges outward, to accentuate the load that it is carrying above it.

If that weren’t enough the corner columns are actually thicker than the rest to make sure they actually appear the same size as all of the others. The corner columns also happen to be spaced closer to one another than the other columns are. All of this is of course rather surprising for a building that at first glance looks like a collection of straight lines and 90° angles, but then again that just might be exactly what its builders had intended.

Source:

Wikipedia – Parthenon

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Ioannis Metaxas

Before becoming a politician, Ioannis Metaxas was in the military where he would become an officer. During his years in the military, Metaxas would be part of the Greco-Turkish War and the BalkanWars. From 1936 to 1941, Metaxas was the Prime Minister of Greece.

His term as Prime Minister has painted him as not only a general, but a dictator who started by governing the country according to the constitution only to eventually abandon it and form the 4th of August Regime. This regime was also known as the Metaxas Regime, which was a dictatorship where he made workforce strikes illegal, enforced censorship of the media, and banned all political parties. This regime ended when Metaxas died in 1941.

Theodoros Pangalos

General Theodoros Pangalos played an important role in the 1922 Revolution. The revolt lead to King Constantine I being deposed and the establishment of the Second Hellenic Republic. In 1925, Pangalos became Prime Minister after the government was overthrown by officers who were loyal to him. Immediately, Pangalos ended the young republic. He would also abolish freedom of the press and put repressive laws into place. In 1926, Pangalos assumed dictatorial powers and in April, he was elected as president.

Thucydides

Thucydides was an Athenian historian who became a general on military assignment in 424 BC. At this time, a Spartan general attacked the city of Amphipolis. Messengers were sent for the local Athenian commander asking Thucydides help. The Spartans were aware of Thucydides’ reputation and offered Amphipolis terms they would surrender for. Thucydides arrived, but it was too late to help the city and for this he was banished. During his exile, Thucydides wrote “History of the Peloponnesian War” and traveled through the Peloponnesian city-states.

Cassander

Born in 358 BC, Cassander was a Macedonian general of the Diadochi. He was known to be a ruthless general who fought for rule of the empire after the death of Alexander the Great. He went so far as to marry Alexander’s half-sister to associate himself with the right people. He also had Alexander the Great’s mother, wife, and son executed. In 305 BC, Cassander declared himself King of Macedon. Despite this, he never gained full power and a series of battles of the empire’s rule that lasted until after his own death in 297 BC.

Themistocles

Themistocles career in politics didn’t come about in the typical way. He wasn’t an aristocrat. He was voted in because he was liked by the people, especially the lower class. During the Battle of Marathon, Themistocles is said to have been one of the strategists that led them to victory. After the battle, he would be considered a hero and rise to prominence. As a general, Themistocles knew that Persia would return and this prompted him to develop a navy, which was a wise decision as they would defeat the Persian Empire who never came back.

As you can see, these generals have all played an important role in Greek history. Each is interesting in his own right!

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As a result of all this, shipbuilding was a highly valued profession. Master shipbuilders created some of the most technologically advanced ships in the ancient world – and they were devoted to constantly making the ships even better. However, there were few advancements that were more important, and more influential, than the anchor. Here’s more information about how the Ancient Greeks invented the anchor:

The Need for an Anchor Arose

Prior to the invention of the anchor, ships needed to be tied to something extremely sturdy. While this is an effective way of keeping the boat still, it often wasn’t enough. What if the ship needed to stay still when there was nothing to tie it to? The Ancient Greeks loved to take long journeys, and they often found themselves in remote places when they needed to tie their ships down. Finding that many of these places didn’t give them the option, they knew that they needed a way to weigh the ship down enough so that it wouldn’t move around when it couldn’t be tied.

Ancient Greeks Solved the Problem

Prior to the Ancient Greeks, ancient ships would often throw large stones that were tied with ropes over the side of the boats to keep them steady. Even though this did work up to a point, it didn’t work all that well. No matter how heavy the stone was, it would still drift slightly in the ocean. The Ancient Greeks solved this problem by created the first real anchors, which they often referred to as “teeth”, or ὀδὁντες in the original Greek. These first anchors were made from buckets that were filled with stones. These buckets would grab onto the dirt at the ocean floor, thus keeping the ship in plate. Because each ship had several of these anchors, it made the ship even steadier. Even when there was a place to tie the boat to, the anchors were still used to provide extra stability.

Modern-Day Anchors

Over the years, the original design for the anchor evolved into the anchor shapes that we see today. Typically, anchors today consist of a large metallic object with large hooks on each side. The hooks are used to keep the boat in place. However, this particular invention wouldn’t have been possible if it weren’t for the ingenuity of the people of Ancient Greece.

Because the sea was an important part of life in Ancient Greece, it led them to invent important things such as the anchor, which effectively kept the boat in place when it couldn’t be tied.

Sources:

Wikipedia – History of the Anchor

Wikipedia – Military Tactics in Ancient Greece

Wikipedia – Argo

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Backdrop of Socrates’ Life

Socrates was born in 470 BC in Deme Alopece, which was part of Athens. His death was a public one. He was sentenced to death by poison (hemlock) in 399 B.C. Although he did receive an education, he first started his professional life as a stone mason. He also served in the military during the Peloponnesian Wars from 431 BC to 404 BC. Eventually, he developed a series of unique philosophies and would share them with anyone who listened.

As you can see, Socrates was alive during a fairly tumultuous time in Ancient Greek history, particularly for Athens and Sparta who were locked in a conflict that we know of as the Peloponnesian Wars. Ultimately, during this conflict, the Athenian city-state suffered a great defeat. They had ideas of grandeur but at the time, they weren’t realized. Angry at the way things worked out, the people of Athens floundered. They needed a scapegoat.

Philosophies of Socrates

Socrates is referred to as the Father of Western Philosophy. Historians and philosophers today fully acknowledge how significant he was. They go so far as to admit that without him, the very course of history may have changed. However, there are those who also debate that fact. He was known especially for developing the Socratic Method, which is a method for asking questions and deriving the answers. This is a tactic that is still being used today. He also influenced other top philosophers, such as Plato.

Trial of Socrates

As mentioned above, Socrates was alive during a somewhat dark and politically unstable time in Athens’ history. When they suffered defeat to the Spartans during the Peloponnesian Wars, Athens was in a state of turmoil. Socrates’ is known for having been critical of several things related to the society in which he lived. These include the very way that people approached thinking (as evidenced by the fact that he questioned everything) and also the way Athens conducted itself politically. He even attracted a following.

Eventually, this led to his arrest, his trial, and ultimately his death. The official assembly of Athens ordered his arrest and he was charged with questioning the state religion and also corrupting the city’s youth. Overall, Socrates was seen as a threat to Athens as a whole. What ensued was a very public trial. Socrates gave a long speech once he learned that he was sentenced to death. This speech has been well documented and is still studied today.

Source:

Socrates – One of the Founders of Western Philosophy

The Trial of Socrates

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Music and Greek Mythology

The word “music” is derived from the Muses, lower goddesses who were the daughters of Zeus and who inspired the musicians of the ancient world. Greeks regarded music as a gift from their gods. As such, music was played at a variety of different religious ceremonies, with archaeological evidence supporting this fact dating back to 1300 BC.

The Greeks regarded Apollo as the primary god of music, but nevertheless attributed various instruments and musical innovations to other deities. If a musician discovered a new instrument or technique, his or her findings were regarded as a gift from Mount Olympus. The Greeks even believed that the creation of the human race involved music.

One of the most important Greek mythological figures was Orpheus. While his birth is shrouded in mystery, many say that Orpheus was the son of Apollo and the Muse Calliope. Learning singing skills and how to play the lyre from his parents, Orpheus saved the crew of the Argo from the Sirens after his singing broke their spell. When his love Eurydice died, Orpheus traveled to the underworld, where he warmed the heart of Hades with his musical skill and rescued his beloved.

Music in the Greek Arts

As previously stated, music was a central part in the lives of most Greeks. Lyric poetry was often sung with the accompaniment of a lyre. Lyric poetry itself split into two different branches. Monodic lyric was sung by a single person while choral lyric was performed by a group. Dithyrambs, which are tragic poems, were also performed with music. A dithyramb was performed as a play with a large cast. One actor would play the story’s tragic hero, who told his story through both speech and music. The chorus would respond to the hero, telling his story through song and dance.

Music in Greek Philosophy and Education

Greek philosophers developed an entire theory of music and how it should be used in society. The mathematician Pythagoras was the first philosopher to come with a theory of music. Inventing the monochord, Pythagoras centered his theory on vibration and the length of strings.

Pythagoras’s theory was adopted by Plato, who believed that the only proper way of playing music was dependent on the established use of modes, which included the Dorian, Phrygian, and Lydian. Aristotle believed that music was a key part of a young person’s education. Aristotle advocated teaching students to play an instrument because it brought joy to both the player and those listening to the music.

In the end, music was a central part of life in ancient Greece. Music was part and parcel to Greek religion and was further featured in Greek storytelling. Some of the most important philosophers of ancient Greece also wrote on the value of music, giving their guidance on how it should be used in society.

Source:

Wikipedia

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The following historical figures are known not only for their vast military experience, but also for the fact that they were great leaders. Here’s more information about the top military leaders of Ancient Greece:

Alexander the Great

Alexander the Great, also known as Alexander III of Macedon, is considered to be one of the greatest military leaders in all of Ancient Greece, and possibly one of the greatest in the world. He greatly expanded Greece’s borders through conquest while pushing East. This was always his father’s vision, but King Philip’s untimely death left this goal up to his son, Alexander. Alexander the Great is also a bit of a controversial figure since he achieved most of his success by conquering first Greece, and then the lands that he campaigned through.

Pericles

The Athenian city state was known for its impressive and formidable navy. However, it wasn’t always like this. There was a time when Athens’ navy barely existed. Pericles is responsible for building the Athenian Navy into the formidable powerhouse that it became. After the First Persian Invasion, Pericles was convinced that they would come back. He was right, ten years or so later the Persians attempted another invasion. Because Pericles convinced the Athenians to build the navy, Ancient Greece was ready for them.

King Leonidas

King Leonidas is known for being the leader of Ancient Sparta. During the Second Persian Invasion, the Spartans were instrumental in helping the Athenian Navy formulate a battle plan. King Leonidas and his Spartan army defended at the pass at Thermopylae until the Persian Army eventually overtook them. The Spartans’ bravery, under the leadership of King Leonidas, was legendary.

Solon

Solon was a both a legendary lawmaker, statesmen, and a military leader. He is credited with helping to push Athens out of its decline towards the end of the Archaic Period. He is most known for the reforms that he facilitated in Athens. His predecessor, Draco, passed a variety of stringent laws, and then Solon overturned many of them. These laws and rules helped resurrect the city-state. He was also known for his poetry.

Cleisthenes

Cleisthenes is a unique figure in Greek history, particularly in Athens city-state. There was a time when Athens was ruled by the nobility, which was the minority. Those of noble birth ruled the majority of the population. The peasantry decided they didn’t want that to be the case any longer and then revolted. Cleisthenes was noble born, but he sympathized with the peasant’s cause. Because he listened to what was bothering him, he developed democracy.

Ancient Greece is known for its robust and extensive history. The Ancient Greeks are known for having developed principals like democracy. The Greeks were also known for the bravery and strong leadership. These leaders are amongst the best.

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