/r/ancientgreece

Photograph via snooOG

Sub for posts about Ancient Greek history, archaeology, language, philosophy, art, poetry, theatre - anything interesting about the culture and history of the ancient Hellenes, from around 1500 BCE until the demise of the Ancient World (approximately 400 CE).

This is a history sub, so try to keep it on topic. Conspiracies, memes and pseudo history are not welcome.

So Χαίρετε to you all!

"The road up and the road down are one and the same." - Heraclitus c.540 - c.480 BC

This is a sub for posts about Ancient Greek history, archaeology, language, philosophy, art, poetry, theatre - basically anything interesting about the culture and history of the ancient Hellenes.

Their culture went through many phases, but essentially we are talking about the Hellenic speaking peoples of Europe, Asia and Africa from around 1500 BCE until the demise of the Ancient World (approximately 400 CE).

Remember though that this is a history sub, so try to keep it on topic. Conspiracies, memes and pseudo history are not welcome, and posters of this will be banned.

So Χαίρετε to you all!

Other reddits about civilizations that have come and gone

Other reddits you may like:

A great list of books on Ancient Greek religion:

/r/ancientgreece

41,097 Subscribers

2

Tides of History: Philip the One-Eye and the Rise of Macedonia

0 Comments
2024/08/17
11:41 UTC

94

Greek Helmets

1 Comment
2024/08/17
04:30 UTC

192

Greek bronze shield 185 BC. The inscription states it was made for King Pharnaces I of Pontus 190-155 BC.

2 Comments
2024/08/16
16:48 UTC

9

The Battle of Hydaspes 326 BC Was a decisive battle fought between the army of Alexander the Great and forces loyal to King Porus of the Punjab.

1 Comment
2024/08/16
14:14 UTC

11

How was Diomedes' killing of Dolon perceived morally in Ancient Greece?

In book 10 of the Iliad, Diomedes kills Dolon, despite his surrender and him revealing important intelligence to him. Is there any information on how this would have been viewed morally in the eyes of ancient Greeks, or can it be found out according to other writings? Was it seen as unjust, or as justified, or even a heroic deed?

1 Comment
2024/08/16
10:13 UTC

0

End of the Vikings

1 Comment
2024/08/15
14:29 UTC

11

Is there any reference to a non-Spartan gerousia in antiquity?

Hi, this is my first post in the subreddit. I’m currently learning about ancient greece so forgive me (and correct me) if I get anything wrong.

I understand that gerousia (γερουσία) is mostly referring to the ancient Spartan council of elders, like the later senates. But I happen to found a description here (https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus:text:1999.04.0063:entry=gerousia-cn ) stating that “GEROU´SIA (γερουσία), the council of elders (γέροντες), was the name of the Senate in most Doric states, and was especially used to signify the Senate at Sparta.”

Which means it is also used in other Doric city-states. So is there any historical document referring to a non-Spartan Doric gerousia? I would really like to know.

1 Comment
2024/08/15
13:40 UTC

10

Third Macedonian War

Hey all — I’m back with a favor regarding another battle of world-changing importance that occurred in Ancient Greece (imo): The Battle of Pydna. It was this battle that caused Rome to “conquer” and/or “subjugate” ancient Greece. It also brought about the end of Alexander the Great’s fragmented dynastic empire. Any thoughts on factual errors, or an incorrect summary on its significance would be very much appreciated. I’m all ears. Many thanks in advance.

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/historys-greatest-battles/id1761892205?i=1000665333573

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5Btyt55Ya9SIF3JJEt5Vnv?si=FwbQbIE9QkOK8IbCIVvd3w

0 Comments
2024/08/15
03:38 UTC

32

If Athens won the Peloponnesian war

How do people think it would’ve gone? I personally think they’d have ended up screwing it up, like they did the war itself. But does anyone think Athens could’ve created a Mediterranean empire like Rome or at least united to some extent the Greek world under one banner. Like Alcibiades plan to conquer Sicily then Carthage etc.

10 Comments
2024/08/13
23:48 UTC

10

Help a cosplayer?

(The story of The Odyssey specific question)

So for a cosplay panel I’ll be cosplaying Odysseus. The issue is, I genuinely can’t figure out what kind of clothes I should go with. I’m still really new to learning about Ancient Greece and I’m really struggling to figure everything out. I already have a pair of shoes, but I’m thinking more about clothes(like a toga(not sure if that’s the right word)) and I’d really appreciate some insight and help from people who know more about this!!!

12 Comments
2024/08/12
13:15 UTC

11

Altars to Jason?

Does anyone know of if Jason (of the argonauts), had any altars dedicated to him as other heroes did? I haven’t been able to find him in any of my books on Greek cults, even hero cults. A bit surprising as the question for the Golden Fleece was one of the major epics of Greek culture and religion, with many hidden parables and lessons coded in it. Thank you for any insight. 🙏

1 Comment
2024/08/12
05:36 UTC

19

Does anyone have a list of all the art references from the 2004 Greek Olympic opening ceremony?

Part of the ceremony has living art depicting various art pieces throughout Greek history, starting with Ancient Greece. I’m looking for a list that has which art pieces the various scenes depict

23:00 - 33:00 https://youtu.be/YYvnvr8Cpzo?si=g8raC6dXMB5dWX88

6 Comments
2024/08/11
03:24 UTC

30

Who said that there was conspiracy that Pericles purposefully began the Peloponnesian War for his wife?

Hi friends. I am currently writing an essay on the inevitability of the Peloponnesian War and I swear I remember reading somewhere that there was a rumour that Pericles started the war on purpose for his wife. Can anyone help me out with who said that?? It would be super helpful!!

17 Comments
2024/08/10
02:43 UTC

35

Marathon

Hey all, I recently launched a podcast a day or so ago; episode four underway.

My first episode is about the battle of Marathon. I attempt to stick to facts, avoid tangents (as tempting as they may be), and simply 1. Set the stage; 2. Detail the battle; 3. Discuss how it impacted our world.

Please let me know your thoughts on the first published episode: The Battle of Marathon

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6ilpetTUyAwJ2WRngET9Ee?si=eUC-0a7qQ5WmHgTirRPD8w

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/historys-greatest-battles/id1761892205?i=1000664756371

6 Comments
2024/08/09
21:20 UTC

6

Books on the ancient Olympics

Is there a good book about the Greek Olympics you would recommend for a lay reader? I‘ve been reading about the history of the discus throw and would love to read a well-researched, fun-but-not-sensationalized piece about the games

1 Comment
2024/08/09
01:18 UTC

2

Did Sparta also do early marriages?

I've read Sparta delayed marriage and this book says so as well yet one source says this:

https://imgur.com/a/V0sJ3xS

does it mean they also practiced early marriage?

3 Comments
2024/08/08
22:45 UTC

0

😲 Dirty Little Secrets of Ancient Greece / IS THIS ALL TRUE ?

i just came across a youtube shorts accusing and saying a lot of " claimed to be facts " about ancient Greece , is this all true ?

https://youtube.com/shorts/D_hVdewvoQM

were they REALLY CRUEL ?

9 Comments
2024/08/06
16:09 UTC

3

does anyone know the significance of this symbol opposed to greek letter psi thats in a taiji somehow? (picture from 東方靈異伝 by ZUN)

Imgur: The magic of the Internet

it's from a video game, the creator knows his folklore and myths.

what is that symbol opposed to psi?

why in taiji?

2 Comments
2024/08/06
10:54 UTC

52

How did the Eastern kings end up so wealthy all the time?

From the time of Alexander up until the Roman conquest it always seems to be a given in every historical account that all the Greek kings in the East are absolutely loaded with cash, resources and manpower. And then they'll suffer catastrophic defeats, get completely plundered, or there'll be all sorts of civil wars, and that never seems to change. How did these guys always seem to have so much money?

15 Comments
2024/08/04
15:02 UTC

190

Who is depicted here?

I saw this in a charity shop. I believe it may be Orpheus I may be wrong.

14 Comments
2024/08/03
16:08 UTC

4

Philip II of Macedonia along with his son Alexander, routs a coalition of Greek city states led by Athens and Thebes at the Battle of Chaeronea in 338 BC, making him the defacto leader of Greece. It was the culmination of a series of campaigns by Philip between 339-338 BC.

0 Comments
2024/08/02
07:28 UTC

1

What book is this from?

https://www.press.umich.edu/pdf/0472113887-ch2.pdf

this is a pdf file on Heraclitus, "Chapter Two", what book is it from?

2 Comments
2024/08/01
23:06 UTC

10

Rhyton: Pythagorean Wine Cup?

I teach history to elementary and middle school students with projects in the workshop. One of my favorites is the Pythagorean Cup. Here's an example of our handiwork.

https://preview.redd.it/kclrb80gq3gd1.jpg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=5a4c9aa7061b31a477a41d91e57fad340f9666f2

I came across this Special Drinking Vessel (Rhyton) at the British Museum and took a photo from above.

https://preview.redd.it/1fpr9ao1r3gd1.jpg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=6c47bf499adf52ea5a2e332c3e5e2ae9dccb934e

It's got a hole in the bottom of the cup and another between the sphynx's feet. Is this Rhyton a Pythagorean cup?

1 Comment
2024/08/01
19:16 UTC

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