Basic Information
Basic information on topics of interest in Ancient History and the Classics.
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.
The following ideas about ancient history might more properly be called "urban legends" to signify that they are mostly modern ideas about ancient history.
In addition to the following list, there are …
Most Important People in Ancient / Classical History
When dealing with Ancient/Classical History, the difference between history and legend is not always clear. Evidence is scant for many people from the start of writing to the Fall of Rome (A.D. 476). With this reminder, here is my list of the most important people in the ancient world. In general, I exclude Biblic…
When dealing with Ancient/Classical History, the difference between history and legend is not always clear. Evidence is scant for many people from the start of writing to the Fall of Rome (A.D. 476). With this reminder, here is my list of the most important people in the ancient world. In general, I exclude Biblic…
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.
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.
Asia Minor - What Was 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.
Augustus - The 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.
Classics - 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.
Croesus - The Proverbial "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.
Damocles - The 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.
Democracy - 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.
Forum Romanum - The Roman Forum
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.
Greece - 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.
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.
Helen of Troy - Who Was Helen of Troy?
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.
Heroes - Who Were the 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.
Myth - 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?
People - Most Important People in Ancient / Classical History
You could just read my biographies to find the most important real people in Ancient/Classical History; however, to make it simple and clear here are the people and the reasons they are so important. Biblical figures from before Moses are excluded, as are figures from mythology, including the Trojan War and the legendary founders of cities. This is an ancient history site with emphasis on the cla…
You could just read my biographies to find the most important real people in Ancient/Classical History; however, to make it simple and clear here are the people and the reasons they are so important. Biblical figures from before Moses are excluded, as are figures from mythology, including the Trojan War and the legendary founders of cities. This is an ancient history site with emphasis on the cla…
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.
Roman Family - The 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.
Roman Marriage - Ancient Roman Marriage and Family Books
Books about the Roman family, including extended family members, such as slaves, servants, and wet nurses, the laws governing marriage, and the ways in which reality sometimes conflicted with ideals.
Books about the Roman family, including extended family members, such as slaves, servants, and wet nurses, the laws governing marriage, and the ways in which reality sometimes conflicted with ideals.
Rome - Early Rome - The 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.
Timelines - Index of Ancient Timelines
Knowing the sequence of events and what was happening elsewhere in the world, through these chronologies, provides a context for history.
Knowing the sequence of events and what was happening elsewhere in the world, through these chronologies, provides a context for history.
Vesuvius - The Volcanic Eruption of 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.