/r/AncientWorld
A community for those of us who love to learn about and discuss life in the distant past.
Ancient in this sense has a fairly specific meaning - it refers to the period from the first human written records until the end of Classical Antiquity.
This is not the place to share pseudoscientific content, ancient conspiracy theories or modern interpretations of ancient spiritualism and shamanism - that content will be removed and posters banned.
Welcome to /r/AncientWorld: A community for those of us who love to learn about and discuss life in the distant past.
An article about life in Iron-Age Poland would be just as appreciated as a video about Greek philosophy - all historical content is welcomed, so long as it relates to ancient society. Ancient in this sense has a fairly specific meaning - it refers to the period from the first human written records until the end of Classical Antiquity. If you're posting about ancient society from roughly 4500 BCE until around 500 CE, you are in the right place.
This is not the place to share pseudoscientific content or ancient conspiracy theories though. Additionally, this is not a forum for modern interpretations of ancient spiritualism and shamanism, or Dan Brown-esque conspiracy - this content will removed and posters will be banned. If you see this kind of stuff please report it to the mods!
All video posts should contain a description of why the video is relevant for this sub, or the video shall be removed.
If you have any sort of questions or issues to bring up, please feel free to message our administrator, /u/joinville_x.
In short, welcome to our community! Feel free to share articles, images, videos, discussions, queries and other content relating to the ancient world.
Related Subreddits:
Furthermore, remember to check out /r/HistoryNetwork for more historical subreddits.
For much older prehistory, why not have a look here:
/r/AncientWorld
When we think of Alexander the Great, images of swift cavalry charges, daring sieges, and legendary conquests come to mind. But did you know he also encountered one of the ancient worldâs most formidable weapons: war elephants?
During the epic Battle of the Hydaspes (326 BC), Alexander faced off against King Porus of India, whose army included a battalion of elephants. These towering creatures struck terror into the hearts of Alexanderâs soldiersâmany of whom had never seen elephants before. Despite this, Alexander emerged victorious, and in true visionary fashion, he didnât just defeat the elephantsâhe made them his own! đđȘ
đ© A Game-Changing Encounter
Impressed by their battlefield impact, Alexander incorporated the war elephants into his own ranks. They became a symbol of his ability to adapt and innovate, blending Greek and Eastern military traditions. These elephants later marched in his campaigns, demonstrating the fusion of cultures that defined his empire.
đ Want to dive deeper into this fascinating history?
đ This moment wasnât just a clash of armiesâit was a meeting of cultures and technologies, showcasing Alexanderâs genius as a military leader and his openness to learning from those he conquered.
⥠Have you heard of Alexanderâs war elephants before? What do you think about this incredible moment in history?
Could you help with the deity name?
I'm trying to figure out the name of a native american deity I found on a stone I once knew the name of. I held up the rock and didn't have to say a word to my friend and she immediately was shocked and then said it's name. I've forgotten it and can't find it anywhere.
It had a circle head with one eye and had a longish triangle mouth? Nose? It's looked like a beak and the body was human.
When Alexander the Great died in 323 BC, his empireâstretching from Greece to Indiaâwas left without an heir. Chaos followed, but four of his generals rose to power, carving up his conquests and creating kingdoms that would redefine history:
đ Ptolemy I (Egypt):
Founder of the Ptolemaic dynasty, Ptolemy turned Egypt into a hub of culture and learning. He commissioned the Great Library and the Lighthouse of Alexandriaâone of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World!
đ Seleucus I (Asia):
Ruler of the sprawling Seleucid Empire, Seleucus blended Greek and Persian cultures and founded cities like Antioch, which thrived as cultural and trade centers.
đ Cassander (Macedonia & Greece):
Cassander ruled Macedonia and Greece with ruthless efficiency, securing his power by eliminating Alexanderâs heirs. His reign ensured that Greece remained a vital force in the Hellenistic age.
đ Lysimachus (Thrace & Asia Minor):
Overseeing a rugged and contested region, Lysimachus expanded his territories through war and alliances, leaving his mark on the Hellenistic world despite his violent end.