Philo of Byzantium thrived in Hellenistic Alexandria, where he created most of his automata. Credit: Greek Reporter archive (left), mharrsch, Flickr, CC BY 2.0 (right)Let’s be honest, when you think of ancient Greek geniuses, your mind probably jumps straight to people like Archimedes, right? The Gr
Greek intellectuals in the ancient library of Alexandria made a profound contribution to science and several other disciplines. Credit: mharrsch. CC BY 2.0/flickrTraveling in Alexandria is an intellectually enriching experience. On one’s travels there, it becomes apparent how the people of Alexandri
The Fourth Eclogue portrays a return to a golden age of abundance and divine harmony with the birth of a miraculous child. Credit: Pietro da Cortona, Wikimedia Commons, Public DomainThe Fourth Eclogue of the Roman poet Virgil stands out among his pastoral poems as a piece charged with a mysterious a
When did the age of Greek mythology end and Greek history begin? Credit: Flickr/ Ganimedes Costagravas CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 DEEDThere are countless myths and legends about ancient Greece. Of course, there are also countless historical records about it, too. So when did ancient Greek mythology come to an
Ithaca island, Greece. Credit: flickr / Zhang Yu CC BY-SA 2.0The Odyssey, composed by Homer in the seventh century BCE, tells the story of Odysseus on his journey home to Ithaca after the Trojan War. The normal interpretation is that Homer’s Ithaca is the same as modern Ithaca, also called Ithaki. H
Researchers reveal how ancient Greek medicine used sleep as a central tool for physical and emotional healing. Credit: Wellcome Images / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 4.0Therapeutic sleep, known as “incubation,” played a vital role in Ancient Greek medicine, according to a recent study by George Kapotsi
Studies found that the Ancient Greeks and Romans used, and periodically abused, hemp and opium. Credit: public domainDrug use goes back to ancient times, with research showing that the Greeks and Romans used and sometimes abused cannabis and opium.These ancient civilizations utilized various substan
The powerful Greek gods were reflected in the natural world, and certain animals served as their symbols. Credit: Following Hadrian / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 2.0The awe-inspiring Greek gods, deeply intertwined with the natural world, are associated with certain animals considered to be sacred e
Apart from the numerous impressive historical landmarks in Greece, the country boasts several distinct sunken cities and settlements. Credit: JamesDavidShoots / CC-BY-SA-4.0 / Wikimedia CommonsIn addition to the many magnificent historical monuments in Greece, the country has several unique sunken c
Milian obsidian found in Franchthi Cave proves that seafaring existed in Greece as early as the Palaeolithic period. Credit: Efi Tsi, CC BY SA 4.0 Wikimedia CommonsWhile many islands of the Greek archipelago are rich in marble or fertile soil, Milos, an island in Greece, held a treasure that shaped
A fragmented Kybele votive stele from Çayağzı in western Turkey. Credit: Ali Özkan / CC BY-NC-ND 4.0A broken stone stele discovered beside an ancient road in western Turkey may mark the site of a previously unknown Hellenistic sanctuary dedicated to Kybele, the ancient Mother Goddess worshipped acro
Sophomania is the profound, often delusional, conviction of being the smartest person around, even when reality suggests otherwise.. Credit: GreekReporter ArchiveSophomania. Sounds like a word that rings itself with a certain classical weight, doesn’t it? It’s that distinctly Greek conviction, a bel
Fifth century BCE pottery depiction of Jason in the mouth of the dragon guarding the Golden Fleece. Credit: Public domainDragons appear prominently in several stories from Greek mythology. In fact, they appear prominently in mythologies all over the world. Why did so many unrelated cultures have suc
Petsofas peak sanctuary overlooks the Minoan town of Palaeokastro. Credit: Olaf Tausch, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0Perched atop the windswept summits of Greece’s largest island, Crete, the remains of sanctuaries are among the earliest and most remarkable traces of Minoan civilization in European
Glory (kleos) in Ancient Greece was the driving force that shaped Greek civilization. Painting by Rafael Tegeo showing Achilles receiving the news of the death of Patroclus. Credit: Public DomainThe civilization of Ancient Greece was shaped by a relentless pursuit of glory as a form of everlasting r
The Grecanico language, spoken by Greeks in Calabria, Italy, faced repression under Fascist rule and now stands at risk of extinction. Credit:Office of Greek PresidentSpeakers of the Grecanico language of Italy in Calabria, also known as the Calabrian Greeks, were adversely affected when, during the
Jason seizing the Golden Fleece, fragment of a sarcophagus. Luni marble, Roman artwork, second half of the 2nd century CE, Credit: Marie-Lan Nguyen Wikimedia Commons CC BY 2.5The ancient Greek myth of Jason and the Argonauts, who journeyed to retrieve the legendary Golden Fleece, has sparked a debat
Ancient Greek general Phocion was also a politician and a rhetor who lived all his life according to the principles of ancient Greek philosopher Socrates. Credit: Wikimedia Commons CC BY 3.0Phocion was an ancient Greek politician and general from Athens. He was considered the most useful public figu
Daniel’s Answer to the King, Briton Riviere, 1890. Credit: Wikimedia Commons / Public domainThe Biblical Book of Daniel was supposedly written by the prophet Daniel in Babylon during an era in which the city was conquered by the Persians. While many scholars do still hold to this traditional view, o
Ancient Greek pottery portraying Achilles and Penthesileia by Exekias, c. 540 BC; British Museum, London. Credit: Marie-Lan Nguyen/Public domainAs far back as the eighth century BC, the ancient Greeks had invented a large, round shield called an aspis that would serve as an essential part of warfar