Ancient Greece had approximately one hundred city-states that influenced Roman society in terms of language, art, architecture and way of life.
The marathon takes its name from Pheidippides, who ran 25 miles back to Athens after defeating Persian forces during wartime.
The Greeks invented theatre. Additionally, they also practiced throwing their teeth for good luck!
Santorini
Santorini is one of the most iconic images associated with Greece. This idyllic island, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its stunning landscape and architecture, was formed through volcanic eruptions during the 17th century BC, as it boasts an extensive human settlement history.
Slaves were common in ancient Greece and often worked as artisans or assisted in household tasks. Additionally, they toiled on farms and factories. Slaves in classical Athens may have received better treatment than elsewhere in Greece.
The Olympic Games were an essential source of unity in ancient Greece and many have the impression that torch relaying is associated with these Games; this however is incorrect.
Ancient Greeks loved dancing and had their own word to describe it: Tsidhe (), which translates as “to whirl or turn.” Tsidhe is not only used to refer to dance performances in public venues but can be done right at home!
Ancient Greece saw men and women wearing very simple clothing; most people wore a tunic known as a chiton with sandals or leather shoes for everyday use, with richer citizens wearing more colorful fabrics containing purple dye as an expensive fashion trend. Richer citizens could purchase colorful clothes containing vibrant hues made up of purple dye. Dolls were popular toys; indeed some believe the yo-yo is actually descended from an Ancient Greek toy!
Women with unibrows were widely regarded as intelligent in ancient Greece due to their ability to detect lies! This fact may explain why so many men favored those with this facial feature for political office.
The Oracle of Delphi was an influential oracle in ancient Greece, and many came to her seeking advice. According to legend, she could hear their prayers and answer their queries; she even believed to possess powers capable of dispersing ill spirits away from those seeking her help.
Fun fact: Ancient Greeks invented the word “idiot,” originally as an insult for not participating in politics and later to refer to someone who was stupid. Furthermore, Greeks invented many words and phrases which still live on today!
Crete
Crete is Greece’s largest island, but also boasts one of its most captivating histories. Home to beautiful beaches and scenic vistas, it also plays host to legends and mythology associated with Zeus, god of sky and thunder.
Crete is home to one of the oldest known olive trees in existence. At an estimated age of over two millennia, this ancient Greek tree produced various kinds of olives which they used medicinally as treatments, such as to treat illnesses such as the common cold. Today these ancient trees remain standing as national treasures.
Crete holds the distinct honor of being a land that spans two climate zones: warm Mediterranean summers and mild winters can be found at its southern extremities; while its higher areas feature North African conditions. These varied environments have contributed to an abundant range of plant and animal species that cannot be found elsewhere across Europe.
Cretan feta, made from cow’s milk fed wild herbs and widely considered the world’s best cheese, is also well-renowned. Additionally, this island is famed for its wine production which has long been part of Greek diet.
Greek cuisine offers many delicious treats – souvlaki is always a good bet, as is moussaka; however, there’s much more you need to experience in this amazing nation!
One of the more remarkable facts about Greece is that men used to exercise naked in public in years gone by; athletes even competed at sporting events with no undergarment at all!
Greece was also notable for being the birthplace of democracy – that is, people had the right to vote in elections and were free from slavery. Ancient Greeks also developed philosophy uninfluenced by religion or superstition.
Olives
Ancient Greece may have given us democracy, but they also gave us olives! Olive trees originated in Greece, where Greek cultivators first cultivated and processed these delectable fruits before exporting them worldwide. Olive trees produce different varieties of olives depending on when harvesting occurs – green, yellow, black and purple depending on when the olive is picked ripe; their colors result from chemical composition of fruit – green is produced from plants with high chlorophyll levels while purple/black olives originate with plants with higher anthocyanin levels than chlorophyll-producing plants while purple/black production occurs due to increased anthocyanin production by plants with higher anthocyanin content within their cells vs chlorophyll levels while purple/black varieties have higher anthocyanin content within their cells than its counterparts producing anthocyanin levels within its chemical composition resulting from chemical composition, while produce from plants with high anthocyanin levels creating unique color combinations of anthocyanins content in their fruit cell walls due to high amounts of chlorophyll content or increased anthocyanin content when harvested by different conditions when harvested ripeness in harvest time or due to harvest time when harvested ripening time of harvesting time of harvesting occurs when harvested; different plants produce both green whereas Purple/black olive varieties when harvest time or both producing anthocyanin content fruit which causes variation of production due to chemical components found within plants with higher levels than chlorophyll content within fruit produced through production processes similar to anthocyanin content producing greater anthocyanin content present within fruit produced plants having increased anthocyanin content present than others resulting from either planting time, harvest time as it takes.
The ancient Greeks weren’t what we would consider modern nations today; rather they were more like city states with over 1,000 independent cities each possessing its own government and territory. While some city states were close allies like Sparta and Athens, others often found themselves pitted against each other leading to wars such as Peloponnesian War between them.
One of the most remarkable facts about ancient Greece is that, just as in modern society, many ancient Greeks kept dogs as pets – this fact has been evidenced by archaeologists’ discovery of numerous dog skeletons! Additionally, ancient Greeks also kept cats and even pigs!
Ancient Greece was also the birthplace of the Olympic Games – though their original form differed considerably from what we know now! Only men could compete and they had to do it all without clothing!
Ancient Greece holds many fascinating facts for us today. Notably, they invented modern theatre as we know it today and boast the world’s highest number of archaeological museums! Additionally, the country also holds the crown for having the highest rate of archaeological museums!
Ancient Greeks were deeply religious people, who held that rubbing amethyst onto your forehead could provide protection from evil forces. Additionally, 64% of adults lived with both parents.
Democracy
Though we think of ancient Greece as one country, it was actually composed of numerous city-states. Athens was the most powerful among these, and served as the cradle for democracy as we know it today; its citizens encouraged to actively engage in government. Instead of voting for representatives through elections such as today, every adult male citizen over 20 could gather on a high hill downtown every evening at sunset to propose laws or block them – women, slaves, and metics (foreigners) were excluded.
Greeks were an extremely creative people, creating many of the essential inventions we still use today. Their invention of the yo-yo is still played with today, while they invented the first computer known as Antikythera mechanism could predict solar or lunar eclipses.
Ancient Greeks were not only famous for their political acumen; they were also highly esteemed for their philosophy, literature and art. Notable Greek philosophers include Aristotle, Socrates and Plato whose ideas and philosophies had an immense impact on modern culture.
At first, it may come as a shock, but in ancient Greece uprooting an olive tree was considered illegal – these trees served as symbols of wealth and prosperity and were even enjoyed as part of luxurious feasts and sports games! Even more astounding was that some aristocrats owned their own dedicated olive grove!
One interesting fact is that statues in museums today may not all be white – once painted and adorned with vibrant hues! Unfortunately, over time their color faded and only marble remained. Today’s deep blue hue of many statues was once believed to protect from evil and was seen as sacred by some cultures.
Greeks were known for being extremely devout people, taking great pains to keep their cities looking neat and orderly. One special tradition they held involved tossing baby teeth that had fallen out onto roofs for good luck!