People usually think of Greece when they think of its history, culture and beauty, but there’s much more to this incredible country.
Did you know that Ancient Greeks invented theatre and cheesecake? Furthermore, they also invented the Olympic Games and were the first people to think that the Sun revolved around Earth, nearly 1800 years before Copernicus!
Santorini is a Volcano
Santorini is famed for its dramatic crescent-shaped caldera that is half submerged, the only underwater volcano in the world. Formed during one of the largest volcanic eruptions ever to have occurred 3,600 years ago, this event caused massive earthquakes and tsunamis, effectively wiping out seafaring Minoan civilization that had settled there at that time.
Volcanic activity that gave Santorini its unique beauty also left behind an incredible landscape, complete with black and red beaches as well as smoky lava pebbles. Now these islands – including Thirasia and its smaller sister islands Nea Kameni and Palea – serve as geological tourist destinations where visitors can experience and touch the volcanic earth first-hand.
Scientists also conduct studies of the island to better comprehend its complex relationship between volcanic activity and earthquakes that may strike its shores, and human life living nearby. Their aim is to predict future eruptions and protect those residing there while uncovering how earthquakes and volcanoes interact with one another.
As in other ancient societies, Greeks had an intricate relationship with their gods. While most believed in multiple deities, each city would also have one to serve as its patron – often fertility goddesses or war goddesses – who they would regularly honor through temple worship services and regular visits from pilgrims.
Archaic period Greek city-states began to form more cohesive political entities. Laws, legal systems, and other forms of governance were put in place to ensure everyone was treated equally while at the same time focusing on arts and culture such as producing great drama and poetry. This period was marked by defeat of Persian invasion 480-479 B.C.
Land was an invaluable source of wealth in ancient Greek city-states, yet in short supply. Though cities levied taxes to cover military and police expenses, they rarely were enough to prevent people from moving elsewhere.
The Greek military was remarkable powerful, employing heavily-armed hoplite soldiers arranged in formation known as a phalanx to fight side by side and protect one another’s shields in battle. Their success at war led them into creating an empire which stretched throughout the Mediterranean basin.
Greece has over 10,000 Traditional Dances
Dance has always been an integral part of Greek culture. Not only was it used to express emotion and spirit, but it was also an effective form of physical exercise. Boys and men in Greek cities/kingdoms would often learn dance as part of their discipline training as it helped prepare them physically for battle – one of three primary forms of education in ancient Greece along with music writing athletics (MTA).
There are various styles of dance found throughout Greece. Popular Aegean Island styles tend to be fast and light while Crete dances require greater coordination and stamina to complete successfully. Central Greece features some popular forms such as Hassapiko, Syrtaki, and Kalamatianos which make up part of Greek folklore.
Peloponnese dances may be slower tempo, yet still require great balance and are commonly led by leaders who improvise based on emotions expressed through movements.
Peloponnese weddings often feature the sousta dance, which symbolizes romance, eroticism and marriage with its symbolic moves and movements. Not only does this dance portray its romantic meanings well; it can also serve as a sign of unity for couples involved.
Ancient Greece had over 100 distinct city-states with distinct cultures. Roman culture was greatly impacted by these influences as you can see it manifest itself in their architecture, language and laws created there.
Laws were determined by the beliefs and practices in various regions across Greece. While most people knew about certain facts – like that gods come in trios – most laws were tailored specifically to each area. Still, there were notable facts such as Greeks having over 10,000 different dance forms!
Greece has the Most Archaeological Museums
One of the best ways to experience ancient Greece is to visit its numerous museums. You’ll find everything from sculptures and pottery pieces, to gold jewellery crafted by skilled Greek artisans for religious worship and intricate building structures that remain iconic today. Greek architecture continues to influence modern architecture worldwide and remains in use today.
Greece during the Archaic period had an advanced economy. They could produce large crops of grain and wine for sale at good prices. Also during this time were great philosophers like Socrates, Plato and Aristotle whose ideas helped form modern world.
Greece was divided into many city states, such as Sparta and Athens. Each had their own set of laws and government, though there were often conflicts among them – from small skirmishes over land disputes to full scale wars between city states.
Conflict between neighboring cities could have created difficulties for athletes traveling to Olympia Games, so an ekecheiria was introduced – runners from each participating city were sent out to each of the others, to announce its start and allow athletes to travel safely without fearing attacks from neighbouring towns or countries. This enabled athletes to travel safely towards their Olympic goal without being worried about an attack from neighbours along their journey.
Ancient Greece may have invented the humble yo-yo. Evidence for this comes from some vases found in Attica that depict children playing with one while vowel symbols are also displayed – an early indication that an alphabet had been developed and made reading simpler for people.
Greeks were masterful at both writing and philosophy, as well as creating art in other forms. From temple sculptures to paintings and pottery making; their creativity could also be found everyday objects like cups and bowls.
Greece is the Hellenic Republic
Greece is one of Europe’s oldest civilizations and widely considered the birthplace of western culture and democracy. Greeks were known for their athletic prowess and invention of theater; also home to many beautiful islands with Mediterranean cuisine and healthy diets.
Archaic period Ancient Greece witnessed significant political, economic and artistic developments that prepared city-states for monumental changes over the following centuries. At this time Homer produced his Iliad and Odysseus; sculptors created their kouroi and korai figures that served as memorials to the dead; scientists made advances with Anaximandros’ theory of gravity, Xenophanes’ fossil discovery and Pythagoras’ Pythagorean Theorem – making their contributions.
As opposed to its Near Eastern counterparts, Ancient Greece was predominantly privately owned and agriculture was the principal economic sector. Barley (and wheat or sometimes olives) were planted every two years on two-year fallowing cycles as their main crop; other fruits were grown as well as animals raised for meat, milk, wool and hide production – especially sheep and goats were important breeding stock.
Even so, social tensions remained between aristocrats and commoners. A clan of cunning aristocrats led by Peisistratos managed to seize total power in Athens, known as turannos–though their tyranny did little to alter existing social structures: wealthy aristocrats indulged themselves with banquets and sports games while poorer citizens struggled along.
As Athens’ wealth grew, it attracted talented people from throughout Greece looking for opportunities in education and the arts. Soon enough, Athens was at the epicenter of Greek literature, philosophy and architecture with some of its greatest names coming out of this period such as Aeschylus, Aristophanes, Euripides, Plato and Socrates as philosophers, Herodotus Thucydides Xenophanes as historians and Phidias and Pheidias as sculptors.
Ancient Greece was home to philosophers Sophocles, Plato and Aristotle; pioneers who sought to understand the world from an objective viewpoint without recourse to religion; thus giving rise to Western philosophy.
At this time, the Persians also invented theater with actors wearing masks of happy and sad faces to portray the various emotions. Finally, they invented democracy with only free men being eligible to vote – women and slaves weren’t included!
1. Athena is the Patron of Athens
The Greeks were one of the earliest civilizations and made many major contributions to Western culture, including philosophy, theatre and sophisticated sculptures. Additionally, they had some unusual customs; men and women typically did not eat together during dinner in ancient Greece and instead consumed different types of eggs, fish, legumes, olives cheeses and bread.
Athena and her uncle Poseidon fought over who should become patron for Athens, with Athena emerging victorious in this competition. A city-state could only choose one god as its patron; its inhabitants feared that should they not choose either god, it might take revenge on their city-state. So they held a competition, with those offering useful gifts to Athenians standing a better chance at being given this honorary position as guardians.
Athena decided to plant an olive tree, which proved extremely helpful for the people of Athens. It provided sustenance, fuel and wood for shelter construction – so much so that Athena became such a beloved figure that her name became associated with their city and festivals were held to honor her and depict an image of Athena alongside its symbol – an owl – on both sides of currency bills.
The Greeks are well-known for their ancient culture and contributions such as theater, philosophy and the Olympic Games; yet there are other less well-known aspects about their civilization, like an exclusive form of democracy that only permitted free men who had completed military training to vote; it was basically like having an all-boys club that discussed politics and philosophy instead of beer and sports!
2. Greece produces 2.2 million metric tons of olives each year
While olive trees can be found throughout the Mediterranean region, it was the ancient Greeks who first began cultivating them1. Olive oil became so essential to them that they anointed themselves with it prior to training at local gymnasias, using olive branches as symbols of victory during Olympic competitions2; even greater Athenian statesman Solon created laws designed to protect and regulate olive tree cultivation by prohibiting its uncontrolled felling.
Olive trees have long been seen as emblematic symbols of Greece and have come to symbolize everything Greek, so much so that the 26.2 marathon was named in honor of a messenger that ran from Marathon to Athens bringing news of Greece’s victory over Persia3. Ancient Greeks made significant contributions in many areas including philosophy, poetry, plays, music and medicine; their work still influences us today as evidenced by Socrates, Homer and Euripides4.
Ancient Greek families would gather around dinner tables to feast on an assortment of delicacies such as eggs, fish, cheeses, legumes, breads and fruits, including olives. Olive harvesting would begin as early as October or December in specially designed amphora jars in order to produce high quality oil for pressing.
Modern times have seen Greece’s olive industry become one of its key exporters, but this success hasn’t come without its challenges. Climate change is creating higher production costs and increased competition from imports; organized crime has increased thefts as well. To combat these issues, some growers are asking police to reinstate a rural police division that was cut in 2010. Others have even developed tracking devices so their olives don’t get stolen!
3. Greece is the birthplace of democracy
Athens developed its early form of democracy – known as demokratia – during the 6th century BCE. This early form allowed male citizens free from hereditary aristocracy or dictatorial control to vote freely for leaders, hold public office, and debate important issues freely among themselves – an unprecedented change compared with prior regimes ruled by hereditary aristocrats or dictators in Greece at that time.
Though widely acclaimed for their new system of governance, Greek democracy wasn’t without flaw. Only free men who had completed military training could cast votes; women, slaves and non-citizens (known as metics ) did not enjoy political rights.
Ancient Greeks also pioneered Western philosophy, using logic and reason to address life’s larger questions. Renowned philosophers such as Sophocles, Plato and Aristotle all lived in ancient Athens; taking a guided tour to see their old haunts is one of the most intriguing ways to experience Greece.
Greece was known not only for their politics and philosophy, but also their theatre. They created theatre itself and created a style of acting characterized by mask-wearing to express emotions. Furthermore, they had one of the first written constitutions ever established with positions being elected rather than being given by birthright.
Athens was not alone as an epicenter of democracy in ancient Greece; other cities-states, like Sparta, established democracies as well. Sparta’s monarchs, known as Agiads and Eurypontids, had limited powers which were overseen by council of elders and magistrates whose role included restricting their powers based on council of elders decisions as well as magistrates overseeing magistrates; prisoner punishment could include being dumped into deep wells even for minor offenses! Democracy derives its name from Greek words demos kratos – people power!
4. Greece invented the first computer
The Greeks were one of the earliest and most significant civilizations in Europe. They left us many contributions such as philosophy, literature, theater and complex sculptures and architecture. Additionally, their culture greatly influenced Roman society – they even copied much of it – including gods, architecture and even food styles!
Greece began taking steps toward democracy during the Archaic period (800 to 500 BCE), when city-states known as polis were created without being controlled by any single king or pharaoh. They established common language (the precursor alphabet), law-making mechanisms, pottery production and sculpture design. Epic poet Homer produced Iliad and Odyssey while sculptors made kouroi and korai sculptures while scientists such as Anaximandros developed his theory of gravity while Xenophanes discovered fossils among other achievements during this timeframe.
Though it may seem surprising today to not have one common language across an area so densely populated, Greeks had a complex system of regionalized languages that varied depending on where one lived. Someone living in Miletus may speak differently from someone living in Athens; nonetheless they all shared similar vocabulary and pronunciation, creating a common culture across regions.
Greek inventors created some remarkable machines during this era. They created complex water clocks and devices using solar and wind energy for meteorological forecasting. One notable invention, called the Tower of Winds, served both functions.
In 1901, sponge divers off of Antikythera discovered an astounding device dating back to 200-100 BC: the Antikythera mechanism is thought to be the world’s oldest computer! Its inner gears modeled the sun-moon cycles as well as possibly five planets rising and setting; plus it even included a dial that could take leap years into account!
5. There was no toilet paper in classical Greece
Greece is well known for its picturesque coastlines and stunning islands such as Santorini and Crete, not to mention its ancient history and Olympic Games origins. Greeks were at the forefront of developments in science, philosophy, mathematics and politics for millennia before entering history themselves.
They were also rather peculiar people; for instance, they believed that only those born into families could become heroes; this meant poor individuals weren’t permitted to fight in the army. Furthermore, they employed an unusual way of testing whether a woman was pregnant; placing a clove of garlic inside her vagina overnight and seeing if its scent suggested onions! If it did so then she wasn’t expecting!
Classical Greek society had no toilet paper; ancient Greeks used flat stones, pebbles or ceramic pieces (known as pessoi ) as means of cleaning themselves after doing their business – a practice which could cause skin irritations and external hemorrhoids over time.
Greeks were notorious for using pottery shards with written names on them to “ostracize” people – hence the term! Additionally, they created a vending machine dispense holy water instead of chocolate bars! Finally, have you noticed when Greek people wave to you they do so with one hand closed to protect themselves against evil eye. Superstitions aside, their gods were just as crazy; Zeus was known to engage in frequent adultery while Hera kicked their newborn child off Mount Olympus!