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Ancient GreeceFrom 1,200 to 600 BCE, hundreds of Greek tribes in the eastern Mediterranean rose out of a dark age ushered in by the collapse of an earlier warrior culture, the Mycenaeans (the inspiration for Homer's tales of the Trojan War). By 600 BCE, the classical era of ancient Greece began, marked by the ascendance of Athens and Sparta. Under Athenian dominance, the Greeks saw a flourishing of the arts and a high point in ancient philosophy in Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle.
Greek culture spread beyond the eastern Mediterranean under the northern Macedonians, Philip and his son Alexander the Great—whose armies conquered Egypt, Mesopotamia, and Persia in the mid-fourth century BCE.
When the Romans conquered much of Greece in the mid-second century BCE, they adopted many Greek ways, including its architecture, literature, and pantheon. The United States' founding generation drew core ideas from Greek democracy and Roman republicanism to form the basis of American governance in the Constitution.Explore Ancient Greece
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Toasting goes back to at least ancient GreeceThe Greeks regularly held symposia featuring wine, food, music, entertainment, and intellectual conversation, hosted by a symposiarch, who acted as emcee. The wine was often drunk in honor of Dionysus, the god of wine and ritual madness, which often led to excess. Ancient World MagazineMedical recognition of strokes stretches back to ancient GreeceEvery minute, 750 milliliters of blood flows to the brain, supplying 20% of the body’s oxygen. A sudden disruption—whether from a clot (ischemic stroke) or a bleed (hemorrhagic stroke)—can be life-threatening. From ancient Greek theories to modern CT and MRI scans, here’s how stroke science has evolved over time. 1440The evolution of the Olympics from ancient Greece to the modern worldThe Olympic Games have evolved from a sacred footrace in 776 BCE honoring Zeus to a global celebration of athletic excellence and unity. Ancient Greek city-states set aside their conflicts under a sacred truce for events like wrestling and chariot racing. Though the Games ended in 393 CE, Pierre de Coubertin revived them in 1896, adding modern elements like the torch relay and the inclusion of women. Watch 1440's breakdown of the historic event here. 1440The Olympics were just one of four Panhellenic Games in ancient GreeceWithin every "Olympiad" (or four-year period), different Games were held each year in Greece—it was not just the single Olympics every four years. The Hellenic Museum in Australia explores each of the Panhellenic Games: the Isthmian Games, the Nemean Games, the Pythian Games, and the Olympic Games. Each section explores the history, which god was worshiped, and what winners received. Hellenic MuseumAnalysis finds dementia was rare in ancient GreeceAncient medical texts seldom mention severe cognitive decline, suggesting that such conditions were uncommon. This scarcity is attributed to factors like shorter lifespans and active lifestyles, implying that modern environmental and lifestyle changes—along with longer life expectancy—contribute to the current prevalence of dementia. 1440How ancient Greece contributed to modern psychiatryThe ancient Greeks were the first to claim intellect was located in the brain, a concept since built upon by many. This academic article explores how ancient Greece contributed to modern psychiatry. The ancient Greeks first proposed that people struggling with mental health conditions should be treated humanely. As far back as the 5th century BCE, Greek physicians and philosophers were arguing that mental health conditions were due to pathology of the brain, intellect's seat in the body. Semantic ScholarFour astronomical discoveries from ancient GreeceModern astronomy relies on making discoveries without being present on the planets, stars, galaxies, and other objects studied. Imagine the difficulty the ancient Greeks had studying them without computers and telescopes. Yet somehow they calculated precise measurements of planetary distances, sizes, and more. Read this page to learn more about early triumphs in astronomical science. The ConversationWhat was daily life like in ancient Greece?What was it like to live in ancient Greece, and how much of that experience was influenced by class, gender, ethnicity, and the like? Click through this site to learn more about the facets of life in ancient Greece. According to this Penn Museum resource, women in ancient Greece "had virtually no political rights of any kind and were controlled by men at nearly every stage of their lives." As such, women dominated the home while men dominated the political and public sphere, meaning their daily lives differed significantly. Penn MuseumHow ancient Greece helped shape the USWhy is the US a democracy, and where did the idea of democracy come from? This article explores how ancient Greece's government inspired the US. Ancient Greece was a collection of city-states essentially run independently, similar to how 50 semi-independent states comprise the US, allowing each region to be governed locally. The US Constitution also was inspired, at least in part, by "The Constitution of the Athenians" and other city-states, which provided written details on laws of the land and justice system processes. National Geographic SocietyPets of ancient Greece: crickets and ferrets and hedgehogs, oh my!Ancient Greece left behind literature and art in which geese, doves, dogs, and the like are seen keeping people company or holding vigil for their return. Were these considered pets as we understand the term today, and where did ancient Greeks fall on the timeless question of cats versus dogs? Did Odysseus let Argos onto the sofa? This magazine article explores evidence of pets and their treatment in ancient Greece. Expedition magazineAncient Greece originated roughly 4,000 years ago around the Aegean SeaFrom architectural feats to the Western alphabet, ancient Greece has helped shape modern life. Over centuries, the eastern Mediterranean culture grew as far as India, Egypt, and Spain. Its cultural influence has long since spread beyond any physical boundaries. National GeographicThe prophetic Oracle of Delphi held real power in ancient GreeceIt was said to have a direct line to Apollo, the Greek god of various domains, including music and prophecy. The oracle was believed to be the most important job in the city and could only be held by women. After years of training, oracles-to-be would be assessed to see if they could become the Pythia—the single oracle who would communicate Apollo's will. TED-EdCongress meets and legislates in the US Capitol buildingThe United States Capitol reflects neoclassical ideals drawn from ancient Greece and Rome. First opened to Congress in 1800 and repeatedly expanded over time, it remains the symbolic and functional home of both The House and The Senate. Architect of the CapitolExplore the history and origins of the power of the pardonThe concept of clemency dates back to at least ancient Greece and was later embraced by English monarchs. During the Constitutional Convention, the founders debated whether presidents should have such power—ultimately adopting Alexander Hamilton's expansive view that presidential pardons serve as a check on the justice system. White House Historical AssociationFederalist 10 argued that a large republic best protects libertyIn Federalist 10, James Madison argued that a broad federal government could better control factions than small states (like classical city-states in ancient Greece). This foundational text in American political thought reframed the Constitution as a solution to political division rather than a threat to self-government. National Constitution CenterThe 'Book of Judith' is a noncanonical Hanukkah story of deliveranceThough the text was not considered a core part of the Hebrew Bible, the medieval Jewish tradition placed her tale within that of the broader Hanukkah story, integrating it into the story of the Maccabees. Scholars view her more as a legendary, inspirational figure. HISTORYResearchers identify a hidden instability pattern in simple ocean wave modelsStokes waves—a solution to the mathematics of water waves—were once assumed to be stable. Italian mathematicians have proven disturbances cause these waves to collapse and such collapses follow an infinite repeating pattern. To complete the proof, the team offered a $100 donation to solicit online help. Quanta MagazineWith the exception of Earth, the planets are named after Roman gods and goddessesMercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune are named after the messenger of the gods, the goddess of love, the god of war, the king of gods, the god of agriculture, the god of the sky, and the god of the sea, respectively. "Earth" comes from Old English and Germanic words meaning "ground." HISTORYWhy marathons are 26.2 miles (not 26)Over 1,100 marathons are run every year, and they all share one oddly specific distance: 26.2 miles. From ancient Greece to a British queen's request, here's the surprising story behind the marathon's decimal.
1440Bad Ancient: a site to fact-check claims about the ancient worldPeruse popular questions about ancient Rome, Egypt, Greece, and more, from whether Greek boxers were ripped or to what extent Alexander the Great conquered the world. Bad AncientDragon seismometers, Baghdad batteries, and more ancient artifactsThe ancients were behind us in many ways, but some inventions from the time have not been surpassed in the modern era in effectiveness, beauty, or cleverness. This quick list of bizarre ancient inventions includes a battery from Baghdad, a Molotov cocktail-like explosive in Greece, and more. TheCollectorEnvironmental determinism links human traits and societal progress to geographyAlso known as climatic determinism, the theory states that the latitudes where people are located influence their emotional and intellectual capabilities. Originating in Ancient Greece, these ideas were used throughout history to justify racial hierarchies. UNCAncient Romans took trips to the coast to beat the heatWhen the weather grew too hot in Rome, the city’s elite traveled to coastal spots like the Gulf of Naples, where they’d eat oysters, drink wine, and bathe in thermal pools. DWThe ancient Greeks were known to take vacationsHistorians trace the vacation back to at least ancient Greece, where many people traveled to festivals and athletic events, including the Olympic Games. BBC BitesizeAncient Greek gymnasium: Where philosophy met fitnessIn ancient Greece, gymnasiums were not just places of physical training, but centers of intellectual life. This article explores the ways in which exercise, philosophy, and education were deeply intertwined, reflecting a cultural belief that physical fitness was essential for mental development. World History EncyclopediaAncient Greek Antikythera shipwreck continues to reveal history
Sponge divers first discovered the 2,000-year-old shipwreck near the island of Crete in the Mediterranean in the early 1900s. As diving tech has advanced, researchers have gleaned lessons on ancient culinary techniques, shipbuilding methods, and more from the shipwreck, including the world's oldest known analog computer. Artnet NewsThe ancient invention of the water clockThe water clock, or clepsydra, is one of the earliest timekeeping devices. It was invented to overcome the limitations of sundials, which only worked in sunlight and could not measure time consistently. The oldest known water clock dates back to around 1400 BCE, and it was found in the tomb of Egyptian Pharaoh Amenhotep III. Ancient OriginsThe golden ratio is believed to underlie patterns in nature and beautyThe irrational mathematical constant has been cited in art, architecture, and nature since its origins in ancient Greece. Its connection to the Fibonacci sequence has associated it with spiral patterns in pineapples, pinecones, and other plants. Be SmartThe Tony statue features tragedy and comedy masksThe twin masks, one smiling and one frowning, represent the dual worlds of comedic and dramatic theatrical productions. Their roots go all the way back to ancient Greece, where they were used to cue the audience in on character emotions, no matter how far back from the stage they were seated (and to hide the real faces of men playing female characters). OnStage BlogWedding rings can be traced back to Ancient Egypt, where the ring symbolized eternityThe tradition later spread through Greece and Rome, evolving with precious gems during the Medieval period. Diamonds became central after De Beers’ 1947 “A Diamond Is Forever” campaign, boosting sales by 50% in three years. 1440Ancient ghost stories appeared in texts like 'The Odyssey'Sharing ghost tales has been around for centuries. Ancient Mesopotamia, Rome, and Greece each had their own chilling stories about encountering spirits. Find mentions of specters in some of history’s most famous writings like the "Epic of Gilgamesh" and "The Odyssey." TheCollectorThe modern Olympic truce originated in a real pause in ancient conflictBack in Ancient Greece, neighboring city-states were constantly at war. So when the Olympics started in 776 BCE, they needed a way to keep the peace. This video from the International Olympic Committee discusses the origins of the Olympic Truce and its reinstatement at the 1994 Games in Lillehammer. IOC MediaExplaining the rich heritage of the ancient GreeksThough only a unified empire for a decade under Alexander the Great, the ancient Greeks left lasting cultural influence throughout the modern world. Curious about ancient Greece? 1440's got your breakdown of the ancient civilization. 1440Modern bodybuilding evolved in the 19th centuryThe origins of modern progressive resistance exercise are traced to ancient Greece, where a repeat Olympic victor carried a calf every day until it grew into a full-sized cow. This 56-minute comedy and history podcast journeys through the rise of modern bodybuilding, which took off during the 19th century. BBCThe term “Middle Ages” was invented by Renaissance thinkers to belittle the eraThe label “Middle Ages” reflects Renaissance writers’ admiration for ancient Greece and Rome, not medieval reality. They frame the post-Roman centuries as a cultural backslide—a view later reinforced by Edward Gibbon and modernized as the “Dark Ages” myth. HistoryMapping the shifts in ancient Greek territoriesThe jagged coastlines and many islands of the eastern Mediterranean peninsulas cultivated a seafaring civilization, which helped the Greeks colonize and trade in the Middle East, North Africa, and the rest of Europe. See the evolution of their territory with this quick animated map video. The Map As HistoryA timeline of the ancient GreeksWhen exactly were the Ancient Greeks around on Earth? Their roots go back nearly 9,000 years to the Bronze Age with the so-called Minoan civilization. These sea-faring tribes would come together to hold off the invading Persian Empire and culminate in the glories of Athenian democracy, Spartan military discipline, and more. Check out this thorough timeline of the Ancient Greeks. History CooperativeBake bread like a Roman, and honor Ceres, the goddess of wheatGrains made up about 70% of the Roman diet, and the word "cereal" stems from the goddess Ceres—the Roman equivalent of Greece's Demeter—to whom they prayed for good harvests. Cato the Elder, a famous statesman, left behind a simple home recipe for a Roman loaf. J. Paul Getty TrustHear what ancient Greek music sounded like Greek poetry was usually created with the intention that the words would be sung along with music. Evidence and reconstructions of ancient melodies and instruments mean researchers and musicians of today can play music in which the final notes have long since faded.
Armand D'AngourThe Greeks named their dogs with short names similar to modern onesXenophon, a historian from ancient Greece, proposed that the best dog names were limited to one or two syllables and referenced important qualities, like courage or speed. Some ideas: Aura, meaning "breeze," or Corax, a raven. Smithsonian MagazineThe land where Greece's ancient language survivesIn a remote corner of Turkey, locals speak Romeyka, a language with no written form and an "impressive" similarity to ancient Greek. This article details how the language may have survived and highlights the roughly 5,000 Romeyka speakers in the area. Research shows that Romeyka bears a startling resemblance to the Koine Greek spoken at the height of ancient Greek influence between fourth century BCE and fourth century CE. The IndependentAncient Greek and Roman sculptures were likely colorful, not whiteArchaeologists stumbling upon statues from ancient Greece often found weathered creatures, their faces and figures marred by age and conflict. But evidence of polychromy—painting sculptures with color—has continued to mount. Atlas Obscura
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