History
Greek and Roman History
Links, Documents, Notes, Images [People in History] [Tools and Searches]Athens
By 502 BC, Athens had pretty much established its culture and political structure, just as Sparta had pretty much established its culture and political structure by 550 BC. Athens was more or less a democracy; it had become primarily a trading and commercial center; a large part of the Athenian economy focussed on cash crops for export and crafts; it had become a center of art and literature; the city had become architecturally rich because of the building projects of Peisistratus""an architectural richness that far outshone other Greek city-states; and Athenian religious fesitivals were largely in place. The next one hundred years would be politically and culturally dominated by Athens; the event that would catapult Athens to the center of the Greek world was the invasion of the Persians in 490 BC. [Cities in History] [Tools and Searches]Sparta - Ancient Greek Civilizations
Sparta (also known as Lacedaemeon) is situated on the southern Pelloponesus, and was originally founded during the Dorian invasions. Where the Dorians had in some cities managed to emmesh themselves into a place of aristocratic neutrality with the general populace, in other cities, the Dorians held tight rule which relegated the native citizens to the status of serfs. Sparta was one such a city, where strict dominion was held over the city, and its occupants. [People in History] [Tools and Searches]Ships Of The Ancient Greeks
The naval Greek history does not have a concrete point of beginning. Roots are lost in depths of centuries of history of human gender. In a geographic space within 150 km. from the sea, the Greeks from the prehistoric years developed societies as a rule coastal. As most of the interior land is mountainous and difficult to farm, Greeks have to explore the marine resources and love the sea. Greece is located near the center of the Mediterranean Sea, right at the crossroads of many ancient shipping paths. Automatically, was created the need for the protection and spread of cultures that they developed, with result the progressive constitution of first organized fleet. Argonauts and Trojan War, were the first Pan-Hellenic naval enterprises. [Ships] [Ancient Greece]Flags Of The World - Greece
Modern Greek flags. Ellás - Hellenic Republic, Ellinikì Dhimokratìa. Origin and meaning of the flag. Unofficial alternative flag. Shade of the national flag. Jack. Coat of arms. The striped flag has been in use since 1822, and was approved in 1832. The nine stripes are said to stand for the nine syllables of the Greek patriots' motto: Eleutheria e Thanatos meaning "Freedom or Death". This motto is now the national motto of Greece. [Greek History Excerption]Gallery: Greek National Tourist Organization
The Gallery of the Greek National Tourist Organization (GNTO) is a collection of high-resolution images that promote the tourism industry of Greece. The gallery includes images of a wide variety of topics, including:
- Natural landscapes, such as beaches, mountains, and islands
- Archaeological sites, such as the Acropolis and Delphi
- Historical monuments, such as the Parthenon and the Tower of the Winds
- Cultural events, such as festivals and concerts
- Food and drink, such as moussaka and souvlaki
- People and everyday life
The Gallery of the GNTO is a valuable resource for anyone who is interested in learning more about Greece and its many attractions. The images are high quality and visually stunning, and they provide a glimpse into the beauty and diversity of the country.
Here are some of the benefits of viewing the Gallery of the GNTO:
- You will be able to see some of the most beautiful and iconic places in Greece.
- You will learn about the rich history and culture of Greece.
- You will be inspired to visit Greece and experience its many attractions for yourself.
I encourage you to visit the Gallery of the GNTO and explore the many images that it has to offer. You are sure to be impressed by the beauty and diversity of Greece.
Learn Greek Online
Learn Greek Online is currently composed of 105 real audio files (around 15 minutes each), online student notes, a collection of collaborative learning tools and an online greek dictionary and a greek spell checker. [Greece] [Texts] [Authors]Encyclopedia Britannica: Ancient Greece
Ancient Greece, as chronicled in Encyclopedia Britannica, is a captivating and influential period in history that spans roughly from the 8th century BCE to the conquests of Alexander the Great in the 4th century BCE. It represents one of the most formative and enduring civilizations in human history, leaving an indelible mark on the development of Western culture, philosophy, politics, art, and literature.
Key elements and aspects of Ancient Greece as portrayed in Encyclopedia Britannica include:
- City-States (Polis):
- Ancient Greece was not a unified nation but rather a collection of city-states, or "poleis," each with its own government, laws, and customs. Prominent among these were Athens, Sparta, Corinth, and Thebes.
- Democracy:
- Athens is renowned for pioneering the concept of democracy, where citizens participated in decision-making and governance. This innovative system has influenced democratic principles worldwide.
- Philosophy:
- Ancient Greece produced some of the greatest philosophers in history, including Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle. Their ideas on ethics, metaphysics, and politics continue to shape philosophical discourse.
- Greek Mythology:
- Greek mythology, with its pantheon of gods and epic tales like the Iliad and the Odyssey by Homer, played a vital role in the religious and cultural life of the Greeks.
- Art and Architecture:
- Greek art is celebrated for its emphasis on symmetry, proportion, and harmony. It includes iconic sculptures like the Venus de Milo and the Parthenon in Athens.
- Theater:
- The Greeks developed theater as an art form, with tragedies and comedies that explored complex human emotions and social issues. Playwrights like Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Aristophanes are revered in this context.
- Olympic Games:
- The Ancient Greeks established the Olympic Games in Olympia, an event that brought city-states together for athletic competition and promoted physical fitness and cultural exchange.
- Persian Wars:
- The Greco-Persian Wars were a series of conflicts between Greece and the Persian Empire. The Battle of Marathon, the Battle of Thermopylae, and the naval Battle of Salamis are notable events.
- Legacy:
- Ancient Greece's legacy is profound and enduring. Its intellectual, artistic, and political achievements continue to influence modern thought, governance, and cultural expressions.
- Alexander the Great:
- Alexander's conquests in the 4th century BCE extended Greek influence across an enormous empire, spreading Greek culture, known as Hellenism, throughout Asia, the Middle East, and Egypt.
Encyclopedia Britannica's coverage of Ancient Greece provides a comprehensive exploration of this remarkable civilization, delving into its historical context, achievements, and lasting impact. It serves as a valuable resource for understanding the foundations of Western civilization and the enduring relevance of ancient Greek culture and ideas.
Ships of Ancient Greece
Wikipedia. Bireme, Holkos, Kyrenia ship, Olympias (trireme), Paralus (ship). [Weapons and Warfare]Staging an ancient Greek play
Staging an ancient Greek play is a challenging but rewarding experience. It requires a deep understanding of the play and the Greek theatrical tradition, as well as a creative vision for how to bring the play to life on stage.
Here are some of the key things to consider when staging an ancient Greek play:
- The play itself: The first step is to choose a play that you are passionate about and that you believe will resonate with your audience. Once you have chosen a play, you need to carefully study it and develop a deep understanding of its meaning and structure.
- The Greek theatrical tradition: Greek theater was a highly ritualized form of performance, with its own unique conventions and traditions. It is important to familiarize yourself with these traditions so that you can create a production that is authentic and respectful of the original work.
- The stage: Greek theaters were typically open-air structures with a circular orchestra and a raised stage. When choosing a stage for your production, you need to consider the size and shape of the space, as well as the acoustics.
- The costumes: Greek costumes were often brightly colored and elaborately decorated. When designing your costumes, you need to keep in mind the characters and the overall aesthetic of your production.
- The masks: Greek actors wore masks to perform, which helped to amplify their voices and to create a sense of distance between the actor and the character. When choosing masks for your production, you need to consider the characters and the overall aesthetic of your production.
- The music: Music played an important role in Greek theater. You may want to consider using music in your production to create atmosphere, to enhance the mood of the play, and to provide transitions between scenes.
Once you have considered all of these factors, you can begin to develop your creative vision for the production. This includes thinking about the overall tone and style of the production, as well as the specific choices you will make about the set, costumes, lighting, and sound.
Staging an ancient Greek play can be a daunting task, but it is also an incredibly rewarding one. With careful planning and execution, you can create a production that is both entertaining and thought-provoking.
Here are some additional tips for staging an ancient Greek play:
- Use the chorus effectively. The chorus was an important part of Greek theater. They commented on the action of the play, provided insights into the characters' motivations, and helped to create a sense of atmosphere. When directing the chorus, be sure to think about how you can use them to enhance the play and to engage the audience.
- Use the mask to your advantage. The mask can be a powerful tool for actors. It can help them to transform into their characters and to communicate their emotions in a clear and concise way. When working with actors who are wearing masks, be sure to give them plenty of time to practice and to experiment.
- Use the space effectively. Greek theaters were typically large, open-air spaces. When blocking your play, be sure to think about how you can use the space to create movement and to create a sense of dynamism. You may also want to consider using different levels to create a more visually interesting production.
- Don't be afraid to experiment. There is no one right way to stage an ancient Greek play. Feel free to experiment with different ideas and to find what works best for your cast and crew. The most important thing is to create a production that is faithful to the spirit of the play and that is engaging for the audience.
Staging an ancient Greek play can be a challenging but rewarding experience. By following the tips above, you can create a production that is both entertaining and thought-provoking.
Ancient Greek Theater
Ancient Greek theater is a captivating and enduring cultural legacy that originated in ancient Greece during the 5th century BCE. It represents a remarkable fusion of art, entertainment, and philosophy that has left an indelible mark on the history of drama and theater. Here's a description of Ancient Greek theater:
Birth of Drama: Ancient Greek theater emerged as part of the religious and cultural festivals in Athens. The City Dionysia, in particular, played a crucial role in the development of drama. It was here that theatrical performances were first introduced as a form of competition and artistic expression.
Theater Architecture: Greek theaters were architectural marvels. The most iconic feature was the amphitheater, a semicircular seating arrangement built into natural hillsides. The design allowed for excellent acoustics and clear sightlines, ensuring that even the furthest spectators could hear and see the performances.
Genres of Greek Drama: Greek theater consisted primarily of two main genres: tragedy and comedy.
- Tragedy: Tragedies were the serious and emotionally charged plays that explored profound themes such as fate, morality, and the human condition. Playwrights like Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides produced timeless tragedies like "Oedipus Rex" and "Medea."
- Comedy: Greek comedies, as exemplified by playwright Aristophanes, provided satire and humor, often lampooning societal norms, politics, and prominent figures. Works like "Lysistrata" and "The Clouds" continue to entertain and amuse audiences today.
Chorus and Masks: A distinctive feature of Greek theater was the chorus, a group of actors who sang and danced to comment on the action and provide insight into the plot. Actors wore masks that symbolized their characters, helping the audience distinguish between roles and conveying emotions more vividly.
The Three Unities: Greek theater adhered to the three unities—unity of time, unity of place, and unity of action. These principles emphasized that a play should take place within a single day, at a single location, and should have a single, central plot.
The Role of Actors: In ancient Greece, actors were exclusively male, even for female roles. The performance of actors was highly stylized, with a focus on declamation and gesture. Costume, masks, and platform shoes were essential for conveying character and emotion.
Religious and Civic Significance: Greek theater was deeply intertwined with religious and civic life. Performances often had religious undertones, and the theater was a place where the community gathered to celebrate festivals, reflect on moral and ethical dilemmas, and engage in discussions about governance.
Enduring Influence: Ancient Greek theater has left an indelible mark on the world of drama and storytelling. Its themes, conventions, and dramatic structure continue to influence modern theater, literature, and film. The timeless exploration of human emotions and societal issues in Greek plays ensures their relevance across cultures and centuries.
Ancient Greek theater is a testament to the enduring power of storytelling and the arts. It remains a cherished part of the cultural heritage, offering both a window into the past and a source of inspiration for contemporary theater and the exploration of the human experience.
Images of Pottery
Because of the Greek painters' fondness for labeling individual characters in a legend, we are able in some instances to piece together parts of scenes from lost plays or obscure myths. Evidence for the way in which Greek tragedy and comedy was staged is also available through vase representations. Other depictions provide valuable information about dress and objects of everyday life. Click to see Pottery Images. In studying Greek painted pottery, specialists look for identifying characteristics of the potter or painter which might help to identify a body of works executed by the same artist or workshop. In Attica, the tendency for potters and painters to sign their works gives us a firm basis for the study of an artist's style or preferred subject matter. By studying which potters and painters worked together, specialists have been able to piece together information about the time period in which these artists worked, their workshops and social status. [From the University of Pennsylvania Museum's Ancient Greek World Collection.]Structure of the Plays
The basic structure of a Greek tragedy is fairly simple. After a prologue spoken by one or more characters, the chorus enters, singing and dancing. Scenes then alternate between spoken sections (dialogue between characters, and between characters and chorus) and sung sections (during which the chorus danced). Here are the basic parts of a Greek Tragedy: a. Prologue: Spoken by one or two characters before the chorus appears. The prologue usually gives the mythological background necessary for understanding the events of the play. b. Parodos: This is the song sung by the chorus as it first enters the orchestra and dances. c. First Episode: This is the first of many "episodes", when the characters and chorus talk. d. First Stasimon: At the end of each episode, the other characters usually leave the stage and the chorus dances and sings a stasimon, or choral ode. The ode usually reflects on the things said and done in the episodes, and puts it into some kind of larger mythological framework. For the rest of the play, there is alternation between episodes and stasima, until the final scene, called the... e. Exodos: At the end of play, the chorus exits singing a processional song which usually offers words of wisdom related to the actions and outcome of the play. [Ancient Greek Theater]Greek Theaters
Greek theaters were open-air structures that were used for the performance of plays and other events. They were typically built on hillsides, with the audience sitting in tiers below the stage. Greek theaters were designed to amplify the sound, so that even the people in the back rows could hear the actors clearly.
The first Greek theaters were built in the 6th century BC, and they quickly became an important part of Greek culture. Plays were performed at festivals and religious ceremonies, and they were a popular form of entertainment for people of all ages.
The most famous Greek theaters include the Theatre of Dionysus in Athens and the Theatre of Epidaurus. The Theatre of Dionysus is the oldest known theater in Greece, and it is where the first plays by the great Greek tragedians Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides were performed. The Theatre of Epidaurus is one of the best-preserved Greek theaters in the world, and it is still used for performances today.
Greek theaters had a number of important features, including:
- Theatron: The theatron was the seating area for the audience. It was typically built into a hillside, with the seats arranged in tiers.
- Orchestra: The orchestra was the circular area in the center of the theater where the chorus performed.
- Skene: The skene was the building behind the orchestra that was used for the storage of costumes and props. It also served as a backdrop for the plays.
- Proscenium: The proscenium was the stage where the actors performed. It was raised above the orchestra, so that the audience could see the actors clearly.
Greek theaters were also decorated with a variety of statues and other works of art. These decorations often depicted scenes from Greek mythology or from the plays that were performed in the theater.
Greek theaters played an important role in Greek culture. They were a place where people could come together to be entertained, to learn, and to celebrate their shared values. Greek theaters also had a significant influence on the development of theater in other cultures, including the Roman and Elizabethan theaters.
Today, many Greek theaters have been restored and are still used for performances. They are a popular tourist destination, and they offer visitors a glimpse into the world of ancient Greek theater.
Origins of Greek Drama
The origins of Greek drama are still debated by scholars, but it is generally believed to have developed from religious festivals and rituals. One of the most important of these festivals was the Dionysia, which was held in honor of the god Dionysus, the god of wine, revelry, and fertility.
During the Dionysia, people would gather to sing and dance in honor of Dionysus. These performances eventually evolved into more complex and elaborate dramas, with actors playing different roles and reciting dialogue.
Another important influence on the development of Greek drama was the epic poetry of Homer. Homer's epics, the Iliad and the Odyssey, were popular stories that were told and retold throughout the Greek world. These epics provided playwrights with a rich source of material for their plays.
The first Greek tragedies were performed in the 6th century BC. The most famous tragedians of this period were Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides. These playwrights wrote tragedies that explored complex themes such as fate, justice, and the human condition.
Greek comedies were also first performed in the 6th century BC. The most famous comedian of this period was Aristophanes. Aristophanes wrote comedies that satirized contemporary events and figures.
Greek drama had a profound impact on Western culture. The plays of Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides, and Aristophanes are still performed today, and their themes continue to resonate with audiences around the world.
Here are some of the key features of Greek drama:
- Chorus: The chorus was a group of actors who commented on the action of the play and provided insights into the characters' motivations.
- Masks: Greek actors wore masks to perform. This helped to amplify their voices and to create a sense of distance between the actor and the character.
- Tragedy: Greek tragedies typically dealt with serious themes such as fate, justice, and the human condition.
- Comedy: Greek comedies were often satirized contemporary events and figures.
Greek drama was a highly sophisticated and influential form of art. It is a testament to the genius of the Greeks that their plays are still enjoyed by audiences today.
The Ancient Olympic Games Virtual Museum
The Ancient Olympic Games Virtual Museum is an online platform dedicated to preserving, exploring, and showcasing the history and heritage of the ancient Olympic Games. This virtual museum offers an immersive and educational experience, allowing visitors to delve into the world of the Olympics in antiquity from the comfort of their own devices.
Key Features:
- Virtual Exhibits: The museum features a series of virtual exhibits, each focusing on a specific aspect of the ancient Olympic Games. These exhibits include interactive displays, multimedia content, and detailed descriptions, providing visitors with a comprehensive understanding of the games.
- Archaeological Artifacts: The virtual museum houses a collection of archaeological artifacts related to the ancient Olympics. These artifacts include ancient sculptures, pottery, and inscriptions, which shed light on the athletes, competitions, and traditions of the games.
- Historical Context: Visitors can explore the historical and cultural context of ancient Greece, where the Olympic Games originated. Information about the religious significance, social practices, and political backdrop of the games is presented to provide a holistic view.
- Athletic Competitions: Virtual visitors have the opportunity to learn about the various athletic competitions that were part of the ancient Olympics, including foot races, discus throwing, long jump, and more. Animated videos and 3D reconstructions bring these events to life.
- Olympic Ideals: The museum emphasizes the philosophical and moral ideals associated with the ancient Olympics, including concepts of fair play, sportsmanship, and the pursuit of excellence. Visitors can explore how these ideals continue to influence the modern Olympic Games.
- Interactive Maps: Interactive maps allow visitors to explore the ancient Olympic sites, including Olympia and other locations where regional games were held. These maps provide historical context and geographical insights.
- Educational Resources: The virtual museum offers educational resources for teachers, students, and researchers. These may include lesson plans, scholarly articles, and downloadable materials for further study.
- Virtual Tours: Visitors can take virtual tours of ancient Olympic sites, guided by experts who provide insights and commentary on the historical significance of each location.
- Multilingual Accessibility: To reach a global audience, the virtual museum provides content in multiple languages, making it accessible to people from different parts of the world.
- Online Community: The museum fosters an online community where visitors can discuss topics related to the ancient Olympics, share their insights, and engage in scholarly discussions with experts.
The Ancient Olympic Games Virtual Museum aims to bridge the gap between the past and the present, offering a dynamic and informative platform for exploring the rich history and cultural heritage of the ancient Olympic Games. This digital museum serves as a valuable resource for researchers, students, educators, and anyone interested in the enduring legacy of this historic sporting event.
