History of Wine in Ancient Greece

Greece is a country where we are constantly reminded of its ancient history while engaging in modern pursuits. A car speeds through the streets of Athens with the Pa... Read More

Hephaestus – The God of Fire

When most of us think of the Greek gods and goddesses, we imagine bold personalities who have memorable stories attached to their name. Some Olympic gods and goddess... Read More

French Influence on Modern Greek Cuisine

Vibrant green olive oil drizzled over a slice of bread. Bottles of red wine within arms reach at the table. Chocolate baklava made with walnuts and decadent chunks o... Read More

The Origins of the City-State

Without the overarching power of the Mycenaean empire to act as a system of governance, the ancient Greeks decided to come up with innovative ways to colonize and or... Read More

ELAS – The Greek People’s Liberation Army

As Greece’s government was in exile during the tripartite (Bulgaria, Germany, and Italy) occupation during World War II, many Greeks took resistance into their own... Read More

Why Did Italy Invade Greece?

If you look at the timeline of World War II concerning Germany and leading up right up to Germany’s defeat, you may notice that Greece factors into this timeline o... Read More

History of Olive Oil in Ancient Greece

Olive oil is always present at the Greek table. Nearly every dish Greek cooks prepare uses this highly prized oil. A bottle of it is also present on the table, and g... Read More

Demeter – The Goddess of the Harvest

In Ancient Greece, people worshiped various gods and goddesses because they served different purposes. There seems to be a god or goddess that represents almost ever... Read More

A Broken Greece Leads to Resistance in World War II

While Greece managed to stay out of the war longer than most of the European countries involved, once Greek feel to a tripartite rule by Germany, Italy, and Bulgaria... Read More

From Cyrene to Egypt: Trade Shaped How the Greeks Lived

As the Ancient Greeks migrated throughout the Mediterranean and the Middle East, not only did they establish an expansive trade network, but also without even knowin... Read More

Greek History During World War II

In the years leading up to the official start of World War II, most of the world, especially Europe, was in turmoil. Greece was no exception to this. Greece official... Read More

Overview of Ancient Greek Cuisine

Greek cuisine is known for being both simple and tasty. Greek people are masters at creating simple and delicious dishes using fresh, local ingredients and this is a... Read More

All About the Goddess Athena

Athena, one of the Olympic Gods, is primarily considered the goddess of wisdom, the arts, war and military victory, and also military strategy. Her parents were Zeus... Read More

Occupied Greece Becomes Hellenic State During World War II

Holding out as long as they could, Greece managed to avoid officially entering World War II until the spring of 1941. With so much happening in the country during th... Read More

Cyrene: The Ancient Athens of Africa

As the Ancient Greeks continued their migrations during the Dark Ages, they began to build an international network of settlements and trade throughout the Mediterra... Read More

History of the Minoan Civilization on Crete

Dramatic mountains. Sparkling blue sea. Constant sunshine. The island of Crete is an island in southern Greece that is a beautiful paradise. It is also a place where... Read More

Artemis – Goddess of the Hunt

Artemis is one of the twelve main goddesses on Mount Olympus. She is largely known as being the goddess of the hunt and of wild creatures and is usually depicted as ... Read More

2004 Summer Olympic Games in Athens, Greece

The first Modern Olympic Games took place in Athens, Greece in 1896 to honor the legacy the Ancient Greeks started. To commemorate the one hundred year anniversary, ... Read More

The Five Year Dictatorial Regime of Modern Greece

After Greece gained its independence from the Ottoman Empire in the early to mid 1800’s, the country entered into a turbulent time period. The country experienced ... Read More

Ares – God of War

In Greek Mythology, there are twelve main Olympian gods. These gods have their own distinct personalities and relationships with each other. Ares, the God of War, is... Read More

All About Alexander the Great

Alexander the Great, officially called Alexander III of Macedon, is one of the most prominent historical figures in Ancient Greek history. In fact, he is as much a p... Read More

Developing Greece’s Modern Democracy

Though the notion of a democracy was developed in Ancient Greece, the modern road to a democratic state was a long one. When the Turks occupied the Greeks, for examp... Read More

Best Ancient Greek Historic Sites to Visit

Greece is one of the few places in the world where the past and the present seem to coexist. It is both a modernized country where the inhabitants own modern gadgets... Read More

Apollo – Greek God of the Sun

Apollo is one of the Greek Gods who lives on Mount Olympus and is the god of the sun, light, truth, music, poetry, healing, and more. However, his two most well know... Read More

The Ancient Greeks Head West During the Dark Ages

After the Mycenaean Civilization collapsed, Ancient Greece entered into a dark time. Referred to as the Greek Dark Ages, it appears as if the culture was at a stands... Read More

Following Germany’s Invasion, Greece Falls Under Triple Occupation

Germany’s invasion in April 1941 left Greece a vulnerable country, which soon became divided among three different powers. Once Germany entered Greece they quickly... Read More

The Ancient Olympic Games in Ancient Greece

Today, people from all over the world know what the Olympic Games are. Not only that, but countries all over the world are represented at these games. They spend ye... Read More

All About Aphrodite the Greek Goddess of Love

Aphrodite is the Greek Olympian goddess of love, sexuality, and physical passion. She is a goddess of amazing physical beauty. In every physical rendering of her, sh... Read More

Greek War of Independence

Each year, both the people of Greece and those of Greek descent living throughout the world celebrate Greek Independence Day on March 25. They pin white and blue rib... Read More

Learn the Time Periods of Ancient Greece

It has been a challenge for historians and archaeologists to piece together the history of Ancient Greece. Part of the problem is that there weren’t many known his... Read More

World War II to the Greek Military Junta

Greece is a country that is in a fairly vulnerable position. In the Archaic Period, the Greek city-states dealt with an invasion by Persia. Up until 1821, Greece was... Read More

Hera – Queen of the Gods

The people of Ancient Greece worshiped many gods and goddesses. In fact, each of the city-states worshiped one of these gods or goddesses. The people chose one patro... Read More

Greece Loses a Leader, Begins Battle with Germany

In the early hours of October 28, 1940, the Italian minister in Athens delivered an ultimatum to Greece’s Prime Minister, Ioannnis Metaxas from the Italian Prime M... Read More

Ancient Greeks Look East After the Fall of Mycenae

Around 1100 BC, Greece had reached a turning point in its early history. The Minoan Civilization, which has been credited as being the first civilization in Greece, ... Read More

Zeus – King of the Gods

Ancient Greece was polytheistic, meaning that the people worshiped multiple gods and goddesses. Each god or goddess watched over something. For example, Athena was t... Read More

Overview of Early Modern Greek History

Greece is a country that is in a fairly vulnerable position. In the Archaic Period, the Greek city states dealt with an invasion by Persia. Up until 1821, Greece was... Read More

How Did the Greek City-States Begin?

Ancient Greece looked very different than modern Greece does. Today, Greece is one country with one central government throughout. However, back in the Archaic Perio... Read More

Overview of Greek Gods and Goddesses

The Ancient Greeks were polytheistic, meaning they believed in multiple gods and goddesses. Throughout modern day Greece there are remnants of these beliefs in the m... Read More

Ancient Greece – The First Marathon

Most modern day marathon runners are usually aware that the marathon had its start in Ancient Greece but most aren’t fully aware of the story. The event itself is... Read More

Overview of the Battle of Crete

Crete is an island defined by its hardy landscape and a population filled with resilient people to go along with it. Large mountains loom over the ocean. The hot, ar... Read More

Greece Enters World War II via the Greco-Italian War

Europe on the Brink of War World War II began on September 1, 1939 when Germany invaded Poland claiming that Poland had sabotaged German targets. Two days later, the... Read More

Aristarchus of Samos – Ancient Greek Astronomer

There was a time when people thought that the earth was the center of the universe. Although Nicolaus Copernicus and Galileo Galilei got credit for this idea in the... Read More

How the Ancient Greeks Avoided Persian Conquest

Since Ancient Greece wasn’t organized as a large, cohesive country by itself, it was left vulnerable to attack. Instead, Greece was made up of multiple, indepe... Read More

St. Sylvester Orthodox Saint History and Name Day Information

There’s no doubt that the lives of the saints are important to Orthodox Christians. Learning about these saints is part of their daily lives. Through the saint... Read More

St. Juliana Orthodox Saint History and Name Day Information

Learning about the lives of the saints is an important part of being an Orthodox Christian. Most of these saints were alive during the early days of Christianity and... Read More

St. Ignatius Orthodox Saint History and Name Day Information

Learning about the lives of the saints is an important part of being an Orthodox Christian. They are not only looked at as great historical figures in the early life... Read More

St. Eleutherius Orthodox Saint History and Name Day Information

Learning about the lives of the saints is an important part of the Greek Orthodox Church and it’s an integral part of the faith. Not only do we look at the sai... Read More

St. Spyridon Orthodox Saint History and Name Day Information

The lives of the saints are important to Greek Orthodox Christians. They learn about the saints, celebrate their feast days in church, and some of them are even name... Read More

St. Nicholas Orthodox Saint History and Name Day Information

Most of us know the mythical stories of Saint Nicholas that can be found throughout the world. In the United States, for example, tales of Saint Nicholas are often a... Read More

St. Veronica Orthodox Saint History and Name Day Information

It is true that knowing about the lives of the saints are an important part of being an Orthodox Christian. In many ways, we look up to these saints. Through their a... Read More

St. Alexander Orthodox Saint History and Name Day Information

It’s true that the saints are an important part of Orthodox Christianity and we celebrate these saints on feast days throughout the year. Some people are even ... Read More

St. Joseph Orthodox Saint History and Name Day Information

There’s no doubt that the saints are an important part of the lives of Orthodox Christians today. We honor these saints throughout the year, and many are even ... Read More

Orthodox Saint Stephen History and Name Day Information

There are plenty of saints that are important to the life of the Orthodox Church and many Orthodox Christians are named after them. Each year, they celebrate their n... Read More

Orthodox Saint Rufus History and Name Day Information

When it comes to the life of Orthodox Christians, the saints and apostles are important, especially since many Christians are named after these saints. Saint Rufus,... Read More

Orthodox Saint Sophia History and Name Day Information

Learning about the lives of the saints is an important thing for Orthodox Christians. Not only do they serve as examples of what it really means to be a Christian, b... Read More

Orthodox Saint Sosthenes History and Name Day Information

The saints are an important part of Orthodox Christianity. People are often named after saints and when they are, they celebrate the saint’s feast day as their... Read More

Orthodox Saint Lydia History and Name Day Information

In addition to learning all about the Bible and the life and works of Jesus Christ, Orthodox Christians also enjoy learning about the lives of the saints. It is also... Read More

Orthodox Saint Timon History and Name Day Information

For Orthodox Christians, the lives of the saints are important. The majority of them are named after one of these saints, and they celebrate their name day, which fa... Read More

Orthodox Saint Timothy History and Name Day Information

Learning about the different saints is an important part of being an Orthodox Christian. In fact, learning about the saints is an integral part of the lives of Chris... Read More

Orthodox Saint Jason History and Name Day Information

The saints are an important part of the church history in Orthodox Christianity. We learn about the lives of the saints as part of our church life, and most Greek Or... Read More

Orthodox Saint Mary Magdalene History and Name Day Information

There are many saints in the Greek Orthodox Church, and they all have a special part in the church’s history. Webster’s Dictionary defines a saint as, &#... Read More

Orthodox Saint Demetrius History and Name Day Information

Saints are import to Orthodox Christians because they played an important role in Christianity. They serve as examples as to how Christians should live their lives. ... Read More

Orthodox Saint Christina History and Name Day Information

There were plenty of women who played an important role in the early life of the Orthodox Christian Church, and many of these are now saints. It is considered an hon... Read More

Orthodox Saint Elizabeth History and Name Day Information

It is true that many of the early saints of the Greek Orthodox Church were men, but there were also plenty of female saints throughout the history of the church. Whe... Read More

Orthodox Saint Catherine History and Name Day Information

When people in the Orthodox Christian Church name their children, they tend to think about what the child’s name day would be. It is considered to be a great honor... Read More

St. Achaicus Orthodox Saint History and Name Day Information

There’s no doubt that the saints, or apostles play an important role in the Orthodox Christian Church. There are two categories of apostles – the origina... Read More

St. Jude Orthodox Saint History and Name Day Information

When it comes to the history of the Orthodox Church, the saints play an important role. After all, the apostles are the ones who began to preach about the good news ... Read More

St. Thomas Orthodox Saint History and Name Day Information

It is true that in the Orthodox Christian Church, people take their name days very seriously. At the root of these special days is the fact that Orthodox Christians ... Read More

St. Bartholomew Orthodox Saint History and Name Day Information

Saint Bartholomew, also known as the Apostle Bartholomew, was one of the Twelve Great Apostles and one of the original followers of Christ. He is mentioned in the Ne... Read More

St. Philip Orthodox Saint History and Name Day Information

In the Orthodox Christian Church, the lives of the saints are honored and those who are named after these saints celebrate their name days. Saint Philip is one of th... Read More

St. Matthias Orthodox Saint History and Name Day Information

In the Orthodox Christian Church, Saint Matthias is considered to be one of the Twelve, which are the twelve apostles who were closest to Christ. However, he wasn... Read More

St. John Orthodox Saint History and Name Day

St. John was one of the original Twelve Disciples of Jesus Christ, one of the Four Apostles and was also the established author of several books in the New Testament... Read More

St. Luke Orthodox Saint History and Name Day Information

Saint Luke, also referred to as one of the four Apostles, is one of the name days that is celebrated in the Greek Orthodox Church. It is true that in some Orthodox C... Read More

Why Do Greeks Dye Eggs Red for Easter?

Red Easter eggs are just as much a part of the Greek Orthodox Easter table as some of the other traditional foods, like lamb. They’re even baked into the center of... Read More

Saint Philip of the Seventy Orthodox Saint History and Name Day Information

It’s true that the saints are an important part of the history of the Orthodox Church. We celebrate and learn about the saints throughout the year and each saint h... Read More

Things to Know About Greek Orthodox Easter if You’re Not Greek

If you have any Greek people in your social circle, you may have realized that Easter is the biggest holiday of the year for them. In the eyes of the Greek Orthodox... Read More

History of the Great Library of Alexandria

When Alexander the Great pushed his way east, he did more than just create a Greek Empire. He also spread the Hellenic culture wherever he conquered. One such influe... Read More

When Did Greeks Start Drinking Wine?

Historians believe that Greeks have been drinking wine for over four thousand years, and that’s a conservative estimate. Several things happened when they started ... Read More

Apollo is More Than Just the God of the Sun

Though Apollo is most often referred to as the god of the sun in Ancient Greek mythology, he’s actually a lot more than that. In some of the older myths, a distinc... Read More

Evzone Uniform Honors Greece’s Historic Past

Did you know that the ceremonial uniform that the Greek Presidential Guard wears is closely tied to Greece’s history? To our modern eye, the uniform is vastly diff... Read More

Evolution of the Greek Gods and Goddesses

Did you know that there were three generations of Greek gods and goddesses? The Olympians are the ones whose tales we are most familiar with. However, there were two... Read More

Greece – Early Years of a Young Nation

By the time the Greek War for Independence began in 1821, Greece was far away from its golden ancient past. After having endured Turkish occupation for around four h... Read More

Hestia – Goddess of the Hearth

In Greek Mythology, Hestia’s main function is that she represented the hearth. According to Webster’s Dictionary, “hearth” is defined as “a brick, stone, o... Read More

Hephaestus – Blacksmith of the Gods

Hephaestus is a more complex god than he initially appears. He is depicted as a burly, muscular god who spends his day wielding a heavy anvil, shaping metal into pow... Read More

What Happened to Greece After the War for Independence?

Every year, Greek people who have settled throughout the world celebrate Greek Independence day on March 25. What’s interesting is that this day doesn’t signify ... Read More

Mount Olympus and its Role in Greek Mythology

Mount Olympus is a formidable mountain that looms over the Greek countryside. As the tallest mountain in Greece, it has played a big role in Greece’s history. Not ... Read More

St. Anastasia Orthodox Saint History and Name Day Information

It’s true that the saints are an important part of our church history. As a result of this, Orthodox Christians often make a regular habit of learning about th... Read More

History of the Palace of Knossos in Crete

If you visit Crete today, you have the option of visiting the Palace of Knossos to learn more about the island’s Minoan past. The Palace of Knossos is in north cen... Read More

Some of the Most Famous Weapons of Greek Mythology

So, what were the Greek gods and goddesses really like? Each of the myths and stories show us their personalities. One thing that really stands out, though, is that ... Read More

St. Theodora Orthodox Saint History and Name Day Information

The lives of the saints are important to Orthodox Christians and are an integral part of the life of the people in the church. They learn about what their lives were... Read More

Stories of Aphrodite – Goddess of Love and Beauty

It is said that Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love and beauty, was born when she emerged from the foam and waves of the sea. Her mysterious birth gives her an air ... Read More

Revealed: An Overview of the Greek War For Independence

With the exception of the Ionian Islands, the Ottoman Empire had ruled all of Greece since its conquest of the Byzantine Empire back in the 14th and 15th centuries. ... Read More

How Did Zeus Become King of the Gods?

Zeus is the Olympian god of the sky. He is said to control the weather and also represent law and order. He was depicted most often with a dark beard, long cloak, an... Read More

St. Alexis Orthodox Saint History and Name Day Information

There is no doubt that the lives of the saints are important to the Orthodox Church. We celebrate the lives of the saints throughout the year on each of their feast ... Read More

How Echo Lost Her Speech (To An Echo)

The story of the nymph Echo has helped shaped the modern definition of “echo” which is the copy of another sound. Like with many Greek myths that involve unrequi... Read More

City-States Make Ancient Greece Vulnerable to Attack

Unlike Modern Greece, Ancient Greece was made up of several city-states, which ruled themselves. While they weren’t united politically, they did have some things i... Read More

The Vengeful Nature of Hera – Queen of the Gods

In Ancient Greek mythology, it seems that the gods and goddesses were either virgins or they constantly cheated on each other. Zeus, the king of the gods, is especia... Read More

Marathon – The Ultimate Race Has Its Roots in Ancient Greece

Do you know anyone people who have run a marathon? They train for months in order to complete this 26. 2-mile race. For many, it’s the ultimate test of endurance a... Read More

St. Xenia Orthodox Saint History and Name Day Information

It’s true that learning about the saints is an important part of Orthodox Christianity. These individuals are all looked at as examples as to how Christians sh... Read More

St. Anthony Orthodox Saint History and Name Day Information

Learning about the lives of the saints is an important part of being an Orthodox Christian. In fact, celebrating the lives of the saints is a regular part of our chu... Read More

St. Leo Orthodox Saint History and Name Day Information

There are a lot of people who played important roles in the early days of the Orthodox Church. Those individuals who stand out as having the greatest impact are fore... Read More

St. Tatiana Orthodox Saint History and Name Day Information

Knowing about the lives of the saints is an important part of being an Orthodox Christian. Not only are their lives a vital part of our church history, but they are ... Read More

The Mycenaean Fall and the Beginning of the Dark Ages

As Chaucer wrote, “All good things must come to an end.” His words couldn’t be truer for the Mycenaeans. After having been the as the reigning civilization in ... Read More

King Midas Should Have Been Careful With His Wishes

Ever hear the phrase, “Be careful what you wish for, it might just come true”? The poster child for this phrase could be King Midas, the King of Phrygia. King Mi... Read More

The Mycenaean Takeover of Troy Didn’t Last Long

For roughly 500 years, the Mycenaeans dominated Greece. Taking over from the Minoans, the Mycenaeans built cities, established trade with other settlements in the Me... Read More

The Decline of the Hittites Marked the Fall of the Mycenaeans

The Mycenaean civilization thrived throughout what is now modern day Greece for over 500 years thanks to their appetite for war and conquest and the strength the gai... Read More

How Odysseus Tricked Polyphemus the Cyclops to Escape

As if the Trojan War wasn’t enough for Odysseus to deal with. Odysseus was arguably the hero of the Trojan War, since he was the mastermind behind the sneaky plan ... Read More

The History of the Monastery of Daphni

The modern city of Athens has more than its fair share of Byzantine jewels. However, just on the outskirts of the city stands one of the most famous and remarkable B... Read More

Cape Sounion and The Temple of Poseidon

Forty-five miles south east of the heart of modern Athens, the historic Attica peninsula comes to an end in a craggy rocky cliff that juts into the middle of the sea... Read More

The History of The Temple of Aphaia

Just outside the capital city of Athens is the island of Aegina [Grk: Αίγινα], one of the Saronic Islands that are closest to the city in the Saronic Gulf. The... Read More

Atalanta Was No Match For Aphrodite’s Powers

King Iasus believed that all kings deserved a son, not a daughter. So when his daughter Atalanta was born, he was angry. Despite the queen’s persistence, King Iasu... Read More

Phaethon’s Wild Ride Through the Sky

Helios, the sun god, had an extremely important job. Every morning at dawn, he got into his golden chariot that was pulled by four fiery horses. He rose into the sky... Read More

The Unusual Creatures of Greek Mythology

Greek myths are often about the gods and goddesses and the human heroes that had superhuman talents and completed near impossible tasks. However, you’ll also notic... Read More

How Eris’ Jealousy Started the Trojan War

The Trojan War was a bloody battle between the Greeks and the city of Troy that lasted for 10 years. According to Greek mythology, the initial cause of the war was t... Read More

The Minoans vs. The Mycenaeans

Rise to Power The Minoans The Minoans built their empire on trade. They were experts at travel and made connections with many neighboring civilizations. They traded ... Read More

The Planets’ Relationship with Greek Mythology

If you’re ever looking for a dose of Greek mythology, simply go outside at night and look up. Remember, the Greek gods and goddesses lived high up in the sky on Mo... Read More

The Beginning of Mycenaean Culture

The Mycenaeans were one of the earliest civilizations in Ancient Greece. It is widely held that the Mycenaean Civilization partially overlapped, and then eventually ... Read More

The Human Heroes of Greek Mythology

Greek mythology isn’t just about gods and goddesses. Myths also focus on humans that were considered to be heroes, meaning that they did important things and were ... Read More

The Holy Fire and the Roots of the Celebration of Pascha

  On Easter Saturday, Orthodox churches across the world are completely darkened and jam-packed with Orthodox faithful waiting to ‘receive the light’. In a ... Read More

What The Sky Gods Mean to Greek Mythology

The Titan lord of light,  and his wife Theia gave birth to the three gods that control the lightness and the darkness of the sky: Helios, Selene, and Eos. Helios He... Read More