Phidolas' Horse

During the ancient Olympic Games, only freeborn Greek men were allowed to compete. However, in one instance, a chariot race was won by... a horse!

The "Greek Foot"

In ancient Greece, having a second toe longer than the big toe was considered a standard of beauty.

Ancient Greek Prostitutes

In Ancient Greece, prostitutes were classified into two classes; the Pornai and the Hetairai. The Pornai served many men at once, and frequently worked on the street. In contrast, Hetarai were educated, had few clients, and provided companionship and intellectual discussion as well as sex.

Before and After Excavation

An ancient Greek stadium before and after excavation.

Ancient Greek Midwives

In ancient Greece, men weren't allowed to become midwives because it was required by law one had to have given birth themselves to qualify as one.

Hidden from the Nazis

When Nazis invaded Greece, the staff of the Archaeological Museum in Athens buried all statues and artifacts in concrete fortified trenches stretching from the basement. The Nazis found an empty museum. No one gave away the secret!

Atoms

The theory of atoms comes from ancient Greece in the 5th century BCE. Democritus of Abdera, named the building blocks of matter atomos, meaning literally "indivisible," about 430 BCE.

Handshakes

Did you know the history of the handshake dates back to the 5th century BC in Greece? It was a symbol of peace, showing that neither person was carrying a weapon.

Last Meals

The tradition of death row meals started due to a fear of ghosts. In ancient Greece they fed them in order to prevent the people coming back from the underworld as "hungry ghosts" as that was one of their greatest fears.

Ancient Greek "Computer"

Ancient Greece was home to the world's first known computer, known as the Antikythera mechanism. This complex, ancient Greek device dates back to around 150-100 BCE and was discovered in a shipwreck near the Greek island of Antikthera in 1901. The mechanism is composed of a series of bronze gears and dials, and it was used to predict astronomical positions eclipses, and even the dates of the ancient Olympic Games. The sophistication and precision of this technology is astounding, considering it was created more than 2,000 years ago, and it demonstrates the advanced understanding of astronomy and mathematics in ancient Greece.

Redheaded Vampires

Ancient Greeks believed that redheads would turn into vampires when they died. This belief was based on the idea that red hair was a sign of a fiery, passionate temperament, which could lead to them becoming bloodthirsty in the afterlife.

Pythagoras

One of the most famous discoveries in ancient Greece is the Pythagorean theorem, which states that in a right-angled triangle, the square of the length of the hypotenuse (the side opposite the right angle) is equal to the sum of the squares of the lengths of the other two sides. This theorem, which can be expressed as a²+b² = c², remains a fundamental concept in mathematics today and has had a lasting impact on geometry and our understanding of spatial relationships.

Birth of Democracy

Ancient Greece was home to the world's first known democracy. This unique form of government originated in the city-state of Athens around 508 BCE under the leadership of Cleisthenes. Unlike other political systems at the time, Athenian democracy allowed eligible citizens to have a direct say in the governance of their city. While this democratic system was limited in its inclusivity, excluding women, slaves, and non-Athenian residents, it laid the groundwork for the modern democratic systems we have today.

Ostracism

Ancient Greeks had a unique way of voting called ostracism, where citizens would write the name of someone they wanted to be exiled from Athens on a piece of broken pottery called an ostrakon. If a person received enough votes (at least 6,000), they would be exiled from the city for ten years. This practice was used to prevent the rise of tyrants and maintain democracy.

Ancient Greek Theater

The ancient Greeks were the first to invent the theater. The first recorded theatrical performances in Greece took place in the 6th century BC, and the first theater building was built in Athens in the 5th century BC. Greek theater was highly developed, and it featured a wide range of genres, including comedies, tragedies, and satyr plays.

Father of Geometry

The Greek mathematician Euclid, often referred to as the "Father of Geometry," wrote a comprehensive treatise called "Elements" around 300 BCE. This 13-volume work laid the foundation for the study of mathematics and geometry in the Western world. Remarkably, Euclid's "Elements" remained the primary mathematics textbook for almost 2,000 years, and its influence can still be felt today in the way we approach and understand geometry.