Numerous artistic treasures from or inspired by Greece are housed in Paris museums. Undoubtedly, the foundation of Western civilization is rooted in ancient Greece, and, whether architecture, philosophy, or other facets of human existence, the Hellenes (Greeks) were pioneers...
In ancient Greece, hair was an important indicator of class and place of origin. Notably, Spartan men were known for their long, flowing hair, which became linked to the ancient warriors in antiquity.
While many would not associate long, beautiful...
The cultural obsession with six-pack abdominal muscles shows no signs of abating. And if research into male body image is to be believed, it will likely only grow, thanks to social media.
By Conor Heffernan
Today, there’s an entire industry centered...
Cold water therapy was popular among ancient Greeks, and this is one of the reasons they established elaborate bathhouses for wellness and relaxation.
Greek physicians like Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine, extolled the virtues of cold bathing. They believed...
The roots of Western governments can be traced back to over two millennia to the Athenian democracy of ancient Greece.
In ancient Athens, the Greeks devised a system of government that handed power to its citizens in unprecedented ways and...
Faith has been inextricably connected with politics and war in Ancient Greece, where oracles, visions and dreams played great importance in every major decision. For the Greeks, dreams and oracles were sacred channels and genuine conversations with the divine,...
There was a god the Greeks most dreaded—the living embodiment of war’s raw chaos. He was portrayed as bloodthirsty, impulsive, and unstoppable once provoked. Yet for all his mythical savagery, one striking detail stands out: the absence of sexual...
In Ancient Greek society, where slavery was widely viewed as a natural and necessary institution, sophist and rhetorician Alcidamas of Elaea stood out as one of the earliest voices to challenge that belief. Though often overshadowed by the towering...
In the Late Bronze Age (c. 1600–1100 BC) the advanced Mycenaean civilization dominated in the Peloponnese and central Greece, yet it interacted with Macedonia, breaking the barrier of distance.
The Mycenaeans had developed a highly stratified, palatial society with influences...
Researchers say that ancient Greek vases dating back to 450 to 440 BC used in the funeral rites of the elite most likely used gypsum in their distinctive white backgrounds.
Most kraters created in ancient Greece had red backgrounds, although...
The Venus de Milo, also known as the Aphrodite of Milos, is one of the most famous sculptures to have ever come out of ancient Greece. It is immediately recognizable by its missing arms -- one of the greatest...
One of the most insightful perspectives on love comes from the Ancient Greek philosopher Plato in Symposium, where he describes love as a force and a divine gift. In this emblematic Socratic dialogue, Plato provides a fascinating view of...
The philosopher Socrates disrupted the Homeric, poetical understanding of the gods, who acted with freedom, whim, and even bias. The ancient Greek gods were not merely bearers of Good but also embodied what humans could perceive as “evil.”
Zeus might...
