Kafeneio, Manhattan, NY 1919
Kafeneio Greek Coffee House, Manhattan, New York 1919
10 Amazing Ancient Greek Cities
Ancient Greece expanded to include much more than modern Greece. It included much of modern coastal Turkey, southern Italy, Sicily, and Libya. While Athens may be the most famous and impressive Ancient Greek city to see today, many of the best ancient cities are outside of Greece.
James Jakob Williams, the African American Philhellene & War Hero
The fervor for all things Greek that the United States experienced in the 1820s, and America's significant philhellenic support for the Greek Revolution, have been well-documented.
The Ghost Village of Epirus
The picturesque village of Paleo Mavronoros in Greece's Epirus region stands as a testament to bravery against oppressive forces and boasts an innate charm.
What were "Cretans" doing in the Himalayas thousands of years ago?
In the snowy valleys of the Indian Himalayas, a secluded lake is the resting place of numerous human skeletons.
The Minoan Period C.3200 BC to C.1100 BC
The existence of a sophisticated, flourishing society on ancient Crete was discovered by the British archaeologist Sir Arthur Evans, from 1900-1905, when he organized the excavations at Knossos. The labyrinth-like maze of rooms called to mind the myth of King Minos and the Minotaur, and Evans named this very old society "Minoan."
The Ancient Buried City of Akrotiri
Sailing into port in Santorini on a cruise ship is a breathtaking experience. Cliffs with five red and brown ribbons of pumice and ash rise above, with the picturesque, whitewashed towns of Thera and Oia at the crest. A donkey path or funicular are your only options to ascend from the sea.
Ancient Greece's Ageless Military Mastery
Ancient Greece is often celebrated for its advancements in philosophy, governance, and arts. Yet, equally important is its role in refining the principles of warfare.
The Incredible Yet Controversial Ancient Greek Sculptor Pheidias
Pheidias, often considered one of the greatest sculptors of ancient Greece, lived during the 5th century BCE. He was a pivotal figure during the Classical period of Greek art, and his works set the standards for classical beauty, form, and proportion.
The History & Mythology of the Amazons
The Amazons are a group of warrior women from Greek mythology known for their fierceness in battle and their society where men were excluded from most activities and decision-making processes.
Greek Cypriot refugee Solomos Solomou
In this picture, Greek Cypriot refugee Solomos Solomou is attempting to climb a flagpole in order to remove a Turkish flag from its mast in the United Nations Buffer Zone in Cyprus. He was then shot and killed by a Turkish officer (Deryneia, Cyprus 1996).
Is the term "OK" rooted in ancient Greek?
okay is one of the most frequently used words in the English language, but does it have a Greek origin?
Greek Superstitions Defined
The Greek culture, from ancient to modern times, goes hand in hand with superstition. Today, we will explore some of the most common, as well as uncommon, superstitions followed by ancient (as well as modern) Greeks.
Why has Queen Elizabeth never visited Greece?
In today's video journey, we discuss why Queen Elizabeth has never visited Greece during her entire reign as queen of England.
The Amazing True Colors of Ancient Greece
During the Classical period of ancient Greece (around 5th century BCE), colors played a significant role in various aspects of life, including art, clothing, and architecture. Contrary to the popular modern conception of Greek statues and temples as pristine white marble, many were originally painted in vibrant colors.
Ancient Greek Bridge
This is a 3,300 year old bridge in Greece that is still in use today. The bridge was built between 1300 and 1190 BC, making it one of the oldest arch bridges still in use anywhere in the world. Greek ingenuity and engineering on display over several millenia!
Legendary Entrepreneur Tom Carvel
Tom Carvel, born Athanasios Thomas Karvelas, was a Greek-born American entrepreneur and philanthropist, best known as the founder of the Carvel Corporation. Born on July 14, 1906, in Greece, he moved to the United States in 1910.
Term Limits, Transparency, & Ostracism in Ancient Greece
The ancient Athenians wanted to avoid tyranny, or one-man rule, at all costs, and thus they invented or adopted the ideas of rotation, accountability, and the use of the lottery. Rotation means term limits. No one could hold the same office for more than a year, except for the members of the Areopagus court (their version of the Supreme Court), who held their posts for life. Everyone else rotated out. People could serve twice in a lifetime.
What Ancient Greece Really Looked Like
This is how ancient Greece really looked like. Here's a reconstruction of Curetes Street in ancient Ephesus.
Athenian Acropolis
Ascending the Acropolis is a breathtaking experience. Unless you are in shape, you really do feel breathless. At first you feel excited, and maybe walk too quickly. By the halfway mark, the calves tighten and breathing becomes heavy.
Ancient Delphi
Zeus released two eagles, East and West, to locate the middle of the Earth's surface. Both landed at Delphi, from then on considered the navel of the universe. Delphi, where two subterranean fault lines intersect, is indeed an extraordinary place, with its dramatic mountain landscape and unusually cool tem-peratures. The Castalian Spring provides sweet, fresh water. Greeks conserved such special places by calling them sanctuaries and marking the territory as sacred.
Pergamon's Ancient Theater
Most Greek city-states had theaters. Pergamon, or modern Bergama, near Miletus in Turkey, has a well-preserved theater that held 10,000 people. The steep slope afforded a marvelous view of the landscape, but the stage held people's attention. The 78 rows of seats are divided into three sections, built into the natural cliff of the acropolis. Pergamon has been continuously excavated since 1878 by the German Archaeological Institute.
Ancient Olympia
Unique and wonderful places inspired the Greeks, who built temples and sanctuaries there.
Corinthian Helmet from the Battle of Marathon
Corinthian helmet from the Battle of Marathon (490 BC) found with the warrior's skull inside. The Battle of Marathon took place during the first Persian invasion of Greece.