Basic Information
Basic information on topics of interest in Ancient History and the Classics.
Top 10 Top Myths or Urban Legends About Ancient History
It's a little harder to prove that myths about ancient history are false than it is to disprove myths about more modern eras, but the prevailing opinion is that the following ideas are wrong.
It's a little harder to prove that myths about ancient history are false than it is to disprove myths about more modern eras, but the prevailing opinion is that the following ideas are wrong.
Sword of Damocles
The Sword of Damocles is a legend about a a man who tries on the life of a king only to find it is more dangerous than he realized.
The Sword of Damocles is a legend about a a man who tries on the life of a king only to find it is more dangerous than he realized.
Croesus - "As Rich as Croesus"
Do you know the name Croesus? It's connected with many other famous names, including Aesop, Solon, Midas, Thales, and Cyrus. King Croesus encouraged trade and mining, and his resultant wealth was legendary -- as was much of his life.
Do you know the name Croesus? It's connected with many other famous names, including Aesop, Solon, Midas, Thales, and Cyrus. King Croesus encouraged trade and mining, and his resultant wealth was legendary -- as was much of his life.
Introduction to Ancient Democracy
Ancient Greece is called the birthplace of democracy. While this is fair, what they called democracy and what we do is not the same.
Ancient Greece is called the birthplace of democracy. While this is fair, what they called democracy and what we do is not the same.
What is Myth?
Everyone knows what 'myth' is, right? Try defining 'myth' for yourself. How do you distinguish between truth, falsehood, religion, propaganda, legend, and myth?
Everyone knows what 'myth' is, right? Try defining 'myth' for yourself. How do you distinguish between truth, falsehood, religion, propaganda, legend, and myth?
Top Heroes in Greek Legend
Achilles was the greatest hero to the Greeks in the Trojan War, but Hercules is second to none. In the Iliad, the wise old man Nestor says that all the heroes of the Trojan War are second rate compared with earlier ones, like Theseus.
Achilles was the greatest hero to the Greeks in the Trojan War, but Hercules is second to none. In the Iliad, the wise old man Nestor says that all the heroes of the Trojan War are second rate compared with earlier ones, like Theseus.
Early Rome - Power Structure of Early Rome
These are the basic institutions with power in early Rome.
These are the basic institutions with power in early Rome.
Why Study Classics?
Classics gives you a rounded background and mental tools regardless of what else you do in life.
Classics gives you a rounded background and mental tools regardless of what else you do in life.
Defining Ancient/Classical History
When did Ancient History start and end? A look at some of the ways the ancient world is defined.
When did Ancient History start and end? A look at some of the ways the ancient world is defined.
Forum Romanum
The Roman Forum (Forum Romanum) was originally a market place but became a place for politics, and public and private business.
The Roman Forum (Forum Romanum) was originally a market place but became a place for politics, and public and private business.
Gladiators
In ancient Rome, gladiators, who were usually slaves trained in special schools, fought to the death in arenas to entertain the crowds.
In ancient Rome, gladiators, who were usually slaves trained in special schools, fought to the death in arenas to entertain the crowds.
Mount Vesuvius
Mt. Vesuvius is a volcano located in Campania that erupted in A.D. 79 covering much of the area in volcanic ash that preserved the area for centuries.
Mt. Vesuvius is a volcano located in Campania that erupted in A.D. 79 covering much of the area in volcanic ash that preserved the area for centuries.
Roman Army
The Roman Empire depended on the Roman army. Not only did the legionaries conquer, but they spread the language and culture of Rome to Europe to the Rhine, and much of Asia and Africa.
The Roman Empire depended on the Roman army. Not only did the legionaries conquer, but they spread the language and culture of Rome to Europe to the Rhine, and much of Asia and Africa.
Ancient Roman Family
The ancient Roman family "familia" was not the same as ours. For one, the slaves were a part of it.
The ancient Roman family "familia" was not the same as ours. For one, the slaves were a part of it.
Greece vs. Rome
Although we refer to Classical Antiquity as an umbrella term covering ancient Greece and ancient Rome because the two cultures had much in common, there were substantial differences.
Although we refer to Classical Antiquity as an umbrella term covering ancient Greece and ancient Rome because the two cultures had much in common, there were substantial differences.
Introduction to Classical Greece
The Classical Age of Greece begins with the Persian War (490-479 B.C.) and ends with the death of Alexander the Great (323 B.C.). Besides war and conquest, in this period the Greeks produced great literature, poetry, philosophy, drama, and art. Also see Archaic Age of Greece.
The Classical Age of Greece begins with the Persian War (490-479 B.C.) and ends with the death of Alexander the Great (323 B.C.). Besides war and conquest, in this period the Greeks produced great literature, poetry, philosophy, drama, and art. Also see Archaic Age of Greece.
Helen of Troy Basics
Helen is the object of one of the most dramatic love stories of all time and one of the main reasons for a ten-year war between the Greeks and Trojans, known as the Trojan War.
Helen is the object of one of the most dramatic love stories of all time and one of the main reasons for a ten-year war between the Greeks and Trojans, known as the Trojan War.
Ancient Asia Minor
Anatolia is the Asian part of Turkey. Asia Minor is the Latin name for Anatolia. Colchis, where the mythical Medea came from, was east of the Black Sea bordering this region. Important legendary and historic figures from the area include the goddess Cybele, Tantalus, Midas, Gordius, Croesus, Cyrus, Mithridates, Homer, and Aesop.
Anatolia is the Asian part of Turkey. Asia Minor is the Latin name for Anatolia. Colchis, where the mythical Medea came from, was east of the Black Sea bordering this region. Important legendary and historic figures from the area include the goddess Cybele, Tantalus, Midas, Gordius, Croesus, Cyrus, Mithridates, Homer, and Aesop.
Sayings of Augustus
Source of a famous saying by Augustus on Rome and marble.
Source of a famous saying by Augustus on Rome and marble.