Interesting Facts About the Greeks

We know a great deal about ancient Greece, its culture and contributions to philosophy and politics – but did you know they feared beans or that sneezing was considered divine omens?

At this point, independent city-states (called polities ) began forming across both mainland Greece and its islands. Worship of Olympus’ twelve gods and goddesses was practiced, even though many of them could be quite cruel!

1. They worshipped gods and goddesses

The Greeks believed that their gods and goddesses ruled every aspect of life, worshiping them with sacrifices, feasts and flattery as symbols of gratitude and hope they would punish any attempts at abuse against these beings. They believed their actions would bring punishment from these powers if any were shown against them.

Cities were home to numerous gods and goddesses, each city building its own temple in their honor. Cultists led ceremonies at temples – typically male but women could also become priestesses.

The Greeks did not possess a single religious text similar to the Bible or Hindu Vedas; their knowledge of their gods and goddesses came through oral tradition and later from Homer’s 8th-century BC epics, while depictions of these characters could be found in plays, poems and artwork. Greece boasted great sculptors and painters such as El Greco.

2. They invented the yo-yo

Ancient Greece was an exceptional civilisation. They pioneered philosophy, literature and drama; were formidable warriors known for luring Trojans into allowing their soldiers into Troy; invented philosophy; literature and drama as well as much else besides.

Greeks were known for hard work and believed that an education was the key to breaking free of poverty and improving life prospects. A stereotypical image of a Greek philosopher would include someone wearing an unadorned chiton and shoe clad soles;

Modern society may not realize it, but Greece wasn’t known by its current name in ancient times – it was known as Hellas! Romans gave Greece its current moniker! Ancient Greeks valued their appearance, using bronze mirrors, ivory combs and small bottles of perfume; as well as brushing their hair with flat irons and plucking their eyebrows with tweezers!

3. They invented the first alarm clock

We all recognize that Greeks are well-known for many things, from theatre and democracy to the Olympic Games – but did you know they also invented the first alarm clock?

Clepsydra was an ancient Greek instrument which worked by allowing water to drip slowly down a pebble, activating either a bell or gong. Greek culture has always been revered for their love of wisdom – this led to influential philosophers such as Socrates, Plato and Aristotle becoming world renowned thinkers.

They introduced a written alphabet with vowels being introduced for the first time ever, using this language to write Homer’s epic poems Iliad and Odyssey, Platonic dialogues, and even parts of the New Testament!

4. They invented the alphabet

The Greek alphabet is considered to be the precursor of all European alphabets, predating many developments associated with classical Greece and likely being modified from Phoenician, itself likely modified from North Semitic alphabets.

At first, Greeks copied Phoenicians by writing their letters from right to left; however, due to righthanders being less likely to smudge ink across paper than lefthanders are, they quickly switched and began writing left to right.

These Romans also introduced vowels into their alphabet, an innovation since early alphabets only contained consonants. Thus aleph was changed into alpha, epsilon a, iota i, omega o and upsilon u; this also gave rise to uppercase and lowercase lettering which is still used today to speed up typing while saving parchment.

5. They invented writing on papyrus

Although Greeks have made tremendous technical progress since gaining independence at the beginning of the 19th century, their living standards remain as poor as ever. One reason may be that the sea, so prevalent in Greek culture from Homer’s epic tales to Ulysses’ quest for the Golden Fleece — tends to open one up creatively while creating restlessness among its population that yearns for adventure and distant shores.

They sailed the seas and borrowed ideas from Europe, such as political systems such as parliamentary rule and organizing law courts. At the same time, however, Greeks were aware of their unique culture’s separation from other nations; they strived to define themselves as Hellenes while yearning for a sense of common identity with cousins in Western Europe.

6. They invented the lyre

Ancient Greece saw the lyre as more than just a musical instrument; it represented divine harmony. Used to accompany recitation of lyric poetry, and considered an integral component of education (Pluto even suggested all children receive dance and song instruction as part of a well-rounded education system), its symbolism became even greater during that era.

Early depictions of lyres show four or five strings; later this number expanded to twelve strings as people believed that gods created and often played these musical instruments themselves.

Some of the most renowned Greek myths revolve around Mount Olympus’ twelve Gods and Goddesses who lived there. They were responsible for inventing democracy, Western theater and philosophy as well as creating the Olympic games – not to mention being wise individuals who created some influential philosophical thoughts still used today.

7. They had a national holiday

Greeks are hardworking individuals who place great value on education as the cornerstone of success, spending both time and money to ensure their children receive an exceptional education.

Ancient Greece was divided into city-states which were administered by noblemen. Athens rose to become the most influential state and established what we now refer to as democracy – even though at that time only men were eligible to vote!

Archaic Period advances were significant across art, literature and technology. Homer wrote the Iliad and Odyssey; sculptors created beautiful statues like Korai and Kouros; scientists made advances too: Anaximandros devised his theory of gravity while Xenophanes wrote about fossils while Pythagoras of Kroton discovered his famous Pythagorean theorem. Greeks commemorate October 28th with a national holiday to mark when Prime Minister Ioannis Metaxas refused Italy’s entry during World War II; also to remember when this nation was known as Hellenic Republic

8. They had a democracy

Ancient Greece was an amazing civilisation which left an indelible mark on our modern world. One of its key characteristics was democracy.

Greek democracy differed significantly from modern democracies by being based upon direct democracy. Men could participate in their Assembly (assemblia) by right, rather than being forced into attending as citizens would be in most other cases.

Sortition was their unique method for choosing office-holders and juror-judges, consisting of drawing names out of pots or scratching them on pieces of clay if enough potsherds (ostraka) had been presented to meet a quorum; once enough had been delivered, their names could be considered valid candidates in an election.

This method provided an effective means of representing poor citizens while limiting the influence of wealthy families in politics.

9. They were a seafaring people

Most Ancient Greeks lived near the sea, so fish was an integral part of their diets. Additionally, they cultivated vegetables, wheat and other grains and kept goats for cheese production and milk collection. Olive production in Greece remains at an all-time high – in fact, according to True Voyagers it ranks first among all countries worldwide!

Desserts were rare in Ancient Greek times but when they did exist they typically included cheese drizzled with honey or figs topped with cheese, herbs, spices and oils were used to add flavor and hydration. Wine was consumed during meals but often watered down and consumed instead for additional hydration and extra calories. According to legend, twelve Gods and Goddesses resided atop Mount Olympus and it is thought this religion combined pagan beliefs with Roman traditions. Helots (farmers and craftspeople working the land) grew crops while giving some to the state as slaves.

10. They invented the lyre

Greek mythology attributes Hermes with creating the lyre. He stole some sacred cows from Apollo and used their internal organs to craft an instrument which then appeased their gods, earning himself his reputation as messenger.

The ancient Greek lyre was an integral component of their musical culture, enjoyed both men and women alike for leisure as well as at symposia or theatre productions.

A lyre is similar to a cithara in that its tones provide rhythmic punctuation of poetic meter or dance, offering rhythmic punctuation for poetic meter or dance. Additionally, its versatility has long made it one of the world’s favorite instruments; early lyres had two fixed arms or “horns”, each holding seven strings. They were very popular and can often be seen depicted on Greek vase paintings as well.