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Ancient Greece
The ancient greek civilization starts around 3200 BC with the Cycladic civilization [followed by the Minoan (2700 BC) and the Mycenean civilization (1600 BC)] and flourished from the 7th century BC to the 2nd century AD, especially in the 5th century BC with the city-states of Athens and Sparta.
10,833 Questions
What are those upside down V signs on Spartan shields?
That inverted V symbol is the Greek letter L, being the first letter of the name of the Spartan territory of Lacedaemonia.
Early Greek shields had various patterns on them, but then began to adopt the letter of their city to avoid killing their own by mistake in battle. There is a story of an action in Corinth in the early 4th Century in which some passing Spartans who were unarmed picked up some shields of warriors from Sikyon, which had an S on them, to oppose a sally by Corinthians. The latter, being Dorians like the Spartans, thinking them mere 'only Achaeans', ran right through them, rather than thinking twice if they had known who they were picking on.
How would you expect the Greeks to change after they ceased to be nomads?
Well, isn't that a fascinating thought? When the Greeks settled down and stopped their nomadic ways, they likely experienced a transformation in their culture and society. They may have developed more permanent communities, cultivated the land, and built lasting structures, leading to a richer and more stable way of life. Just imagine the beautiful landscapes they could have created with their newfound sense of home and belonging.
What is analysis of Hymn to Venus by Sappho?
"Hymn to Aphrodite" is by Sappho, a Greek lyric poet. Sappho is the speaker in the poem and she calls out to Aphrodite, the goddess of love, to help her with her love problem. The poem talks about other times that Aphrodite asked for help with love and how Aphrodite responded.
Was the polis the independent City in ancient Greece?
Ah, the polis in ancient Greece was indeed an independent city-state. Each polis had its own government, laws, and customs, creating a unique and vibrant community. Just like a happy little tree in a vast forest, each polis added its own special colors to the beautiful tapestry of ancient Greek civilization.
How important was Greeks daily life?
Oh, daily life for the Greeks was truly special, friend. They found beauty in simple things like spending time with family, enjoying good food, and celebrating their culture. It was these everyday moments that brought them joy and connected them to the world around them. Just like a happy little tree in a painting, each day was a chance for them to create something beautiful.
Honey, the ancient Greeks were too busy sculpting marble and debating philosophy to worry about guns. Guns didn't come around until the 9th century, long after the Greeks were strutting their stuff in togas. So, no, the ancient Greeks did not have guns, but they did have plenty of drama and mythology to keep them entertained.
What did the Hellenistic culture believe in?
Ah, the Hellenistic culture was a time of great creativity and learning. They believed in embracing diversity and blending different traditions together to create something new and beautiful. It was a time of sharing ideas and celebrating the richness of different cultures coming together.
Oh, dude, that's an easy one. So, like, in Greece, they had, like, way better weather than in Britain, right? So, they were, like, chilling in the sun all the time, probably getting a killer tan, while the Brits were just, like, huddled around a fire trying to stay warm. It's, like, no wonder the Greeks were all about the sun and stuff.
What does the quotation 'The glory that was Greece the grandeur that was Rome' mean?
The Greco-Roman culture has had a tremendous influence on Western Civilization, an influence well recognized by those living in the 19th century. The reason why Poe came up with those two names.
As to the quote itself: "The glory that was Greece" refers to the many important contributions that the Greeks made to Western philosophy, science and art(among other things). They were 'the first'. Their achievements were new and original, different from all the nations living around the Mediterranean sea. "...the grandeur that was Rome" refers to the sheer size and scale of Rome, and the Roman world in general. Think of the aquaducts, the enormous bathhouses, the lavishly decorated Forum Romanum, the Colloseum. The mighty emperors dressed in purple and gold lording over most of the Mediterranean from their stunning palace on the Palatine. The Romans were heavily influenced by Greek ideas about art and science, so in that respect they were not as original as the Greeks had been. The Romans did however build on a massive scale, they meant to impress, and they ruled over a large empire for a long time, something which can not be said about the Greeks(the empire of Alexander fell apart after he died). Therefore Greece is glory and Rome is grandeur.
What does it smell like around the Agora?
Well, honey, the Agora can smell like a delightful mix of ancient history, sweaty tourists, and maybe a hint of souvlaki in the air. Just take a deep breath and let the essence of Greece fill your nostrils - it's an experience you won't forget, for better or for worse!
What were the physical characteristics of ancient Greece?
Greeks are Caucasians of Alpine/ Mediterranean Europeans. A typical Greek has thick luxurious wavy to curly black or a dark brown or reddish brown of different shades, a low forehead, straight nose, sometimes with a slight Mediterranean bump along the bridge, in continuity to the nose, large eyes and ovoid faces. Often there is a tendency to lighter colored eyes such as green, hazel and blue. inhabitants of the Pindos mountain range, and of northern Greece in general, tend to be lighter-skinned, pinkish white (not ruddy white like in northern Europe) while the southern Greeks are more olive white.
4th c. AD Jewish writer Adamantius Judaeus writes: Greeks were moderately tall men (autarkôs megaloi andres), broader, i.e., not linear-bodied (euruteroi), with moderately firm flesh (sarkos krasin echontes metrian eupagesteran), lighter-skinned (leukoteroi tên chroan), with a medium-sized head (kephalên mesên to megethos), a strong neck(trachêlon eurôston), slightly-curly brown hair (trichôma hupoxanthon hapalôteron oulon praôs), a square face, i.e., with a broad jaw and not long (prosôpon tetragônon), narrow lips (cheilê lepta), straight nose (rhina orthên), liquid, "glad," quick eyes full of light (ophthalmous hugrous charopous gorgous phôs polu echontas en heautois).
How did the ancient Greeks contribute to the study of history?
Herodotus and Thucydides set standards in research and recording historical events. The word history comes from the Greek word Historia = researches. This research was different from the story-telling of the heroic tales of the poems and sagas.
Why were these three kingdoms called Hellenistic?
The kingdoms were called Hellenistic because their culture was Greek-like after Alexander the Great fused his Hellenic culture with the lands he conquered.
Hellene was the Greek name for things Greek after the legendary founder Helen. Greek is a word used by Romans. Greeks even today call themselves Hellenes.
What are the 3 pillars in the middle of Greece called?
Well, honey, those pillars in Greece are called the Parthenon. It's like the Beyoncé of ancient Greek architecture - iconic, majestic, and still standing strong after all these years. So next time you're in Athens, make sure to snap a selfie with those bad boys and give a nod to the OG architects who knew how to build to last.
What did the ancient Greeks call comets?
Well, sweetheart, the ancient Greeks called comets "asteres kuklos," which translates to "hairy stars." Those Greeks sure had a way with words, didn't they? So next time you see a comet streaking across the sky, just remember it's basically a big, hairy star making a fashion statement.
Well, isn't that just a happy little question? Pericles believed that the Athenian system of education gave its citizens a double advantage because it not only taught them to be knowledgeable and skilled individuals, but also instilled in them a sense of civic duty and responsibility. By nurturing both their minds and their sense of community, the Athenians were better equipped to contribute positively to society and lead fulfilling lives.
One feature missing from ancient Greece that is found in other ancient civilizations is monumental architecture dedicated to burial purposes. While ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia, and China all built elaborate tombs and burial structures, Greece primarily practiced cremation and did not construct large burial monuments. Instead, Greeks focused on public architecture like temples and theaters.
During the Archaic period in ancient Greek civilization, the main artistic concern was the natural world, focusing on stylized representations of animals and plants. In the Classical period, the main artistic concern shifted to the human figure, with an emphasis on idealized proportions and expressions. Finally, in the Hellenistic period, artists focused on capturing emotion in their works, often depicting dramatic scenes and intense feelings in their sculptures and paintings.
How did the ancient Greeks explain weater seasons and natural disasters?
The gods, in support or opposition of people. However more rational explanations began to appear, beginning with Hesiod in the late 8th Century BCE who gave a farmer's account of natural events and their effects in Works and Days. However intervention of the gods in human affairs continued on, with doubters given short shrift. Even today, billions still attribute events to divine intervention, and pray to them for relief and guidance.
Did Pythagoras live in samos in ancient Greece forever?
No, he traveled to many different countries including Egypt, where he spent decades learning the Egyptian Mysteries. After his travels he moved to Croton.
Theorem from Geometrynamed after an ancient Greek mathmatician?
How about the Pythagorean Theorem? Named after Pythagoras of Samos.
How did Greeks try to please ther gods by making offerings of ...and..?
The ancient Greeks sought to please their gods through offerings of animals, such as goats and sheep, and valuable items like wine, grain, and crafted artifacts. These sacrifices were integral to religious rituals and were believed to gain favor, blessings, and protection from the gods. Temples often served as sites for these offerings, where priests would perform ceremonies to honor the deities. The act of giving was a way to maintain a reciprocal relationship with the divine, ensuring harmony and prosperity for the community.
Athenian ideals are rooted in the principles of democracy, individualism, and civic responsibility that flourished in ancient Athens. They emphasize the importance of active participation in government, intellectual pursuit, and public debate. Values such as justice, virtue, and the pursuit of knowledge were central, promoting the belief that citizens should strive for excellence (areté) and contribute to the common good. These ideals laid the foundation for Western political thought and continue to influence modern democratic societies.
