Alexander the Great never set his sights on Rome. Why did this legendary conqueror ignore the future power of the West? The answer lies in his inherited ambitions, strategic priorities, and the historical context of his time.
Alexander the Great's...
The trireme was the most common type of warship in the ancient Mediterranean for some time in early Greek history. The reason it was so important and useful is that it had three rows of oars on either side....
One of the longest ancient Roman aqueducts in the Mediterranean is preserved in excellent condition in Heraklion, the capital of the island of Crete in Greece.
Constructed around the 2nd century AD, this underground aqueduct drew water from the Fountana...
Dittany of Crete is an ancient Greek herb known for its "magical" healing properties which was mentioned in the world of Harry Potter.
Dittany, known as Dictamo in Greek (Δίκταμο), is one of the symbols of Crete. It captivated ancient...
Most people assume the Greek and Roman pantheons were essentially mirror images—same gods, different names—but how accurate is such an oversimplification?
For instance, we all know Zeus became Jupiter, Athena morphed into Minerva, Poseidon became Neptune, and so on. But...
Ancient Greek treasures, dated from the Kingdom of Pontus, a Hellenistic state located in the northeastern part of Anatolia, are displayed in a new museum in the city of Samsun, Turkey.
Among the antiquities is the Amisos Treasure. It consists...
The ancient Greeks used a variety of weapons on the battlefield, each suited to a different purpose. Some were adopted as primary weapons, whereas others were carried into engagements as a backup.
Ancient Greek weapons used in the melee (close-combat...
The Amber Road was an ancient route linking northern Europe to the Mediterranean through which amber, often referred to as "northern gold", was traded from around 1500 BC to 300 BC.
Amber deposits are still present under the Baltic Sea,...
For nearly seven centuries, the Romans enjoyed armed contests between gladiators in the arena. During these contests, condemned men would fight for the entertainment of the crowds, sometimes to the death.
Gladiators were assigned to different armature (classes) according to...
Persian princess Amastris was the last royal of the Achaemenid dynasty and the first true Hellenistic queen due to her ability to turn her political authority into an independent form of queenship, not in her marriage to powerful men.
Amastris...
Ancient Greek architecture is one of the aspects of ancient Greece that has shaped our modern world most.
It is well known that the magnificent temples and public buildings of ancient Greece have captivated the world for centuries if not...
The Fat Lady of Saliagos (also known as The Naked Lady of Saliagos) is the oldest known Cycladic sculpture.
It is a marble figure from the Aegean Neolithic period discovered on the tiny islet of Saliagos between the Greek islands...
Ancient Greece built brands that rival any modern corporation. From grand statues to copy-like histories that still capture audiences, ancient Greeks knew how to sell.
In essence, it was all about control—control of how they were seen, who they were...
