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JLight

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In 392 BCE, as the Corinthian War entered its third year, Corinth’s commitment to the anti-Spartan coalition was wavering. Calls for peace and re-entering an alliance with Sparta were growing. The governing elite within Corinth simply could not tolerate this. To remedy this political dissent, they would embark on one of the most cut-throat and blood-thirsty political acts of the Ancient World.

To learn more follow the link below.

 
In 392 BCE, as the Corinthian War entered its third year, Corinth’s commitment to the anti-Spartan coalition was wavering. Calls for peace and re-entering an alliance with Sparta were growing. The governing elite within Corinth simply could not tolerate this. To remedy this political dissent, they would embark on one of the most cut-throat and blood-thirsty political acts of the Ancient World.

To learn more follow the link below.

Third year? I had no idea that this war was that long
 
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Yea it lasted until 387 BCE. The 'King's peace' ended the war and was brokered by the Persians. I will be writing an article about it later this year :)
 
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Yea it lasted until 387 BCE. The 'King's peace' ended the war and was brokered by the Persians. I will be writing an article about it later this year :)
That would be great to see, please post it here. Are you a historian? :)
 
That would be great to see, please post it here. Are you a historian? :)
Brilliant will do :) yea I studied history at Nottingham Uni, now I work for English Heritage in their Business Change Team :) how long have you been interested in ancient Greek history?
 
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Brilliant will do :) yea I studied history at Nottingham Uni, now I work for English Heritage in their Business Change Team :) how long have you been interested in ancient Greek history?
Very very nice! Did you study a specific type of history? In my time I studied history in undergrad, with a focus on colonial history which was very interesting. I am only getting into Ancient Greek history now, most of my knowledge is from what I learned in high school so I have to really brush up on my knowledge which is a big reason that I'm on the forum.
 
Very very nice! Did you study a specific type of history? In my time I studied history in undergrad, with a focus on colonial history which was very interesting. I am only getting into Ancient Greek history now, most of my knowledge is from what I learned in high school so I have to really brush up on my knowledge which is a big reason that I'm on the forum.
I mainly focussed on European politics in the 19th century, but I also did a bit on the Wars of the Roses, Ancient Greece during the Peloponnesian wars, then the rise and fall of the Roman Empire. I have only recently started getting back into the history of Ancient Greece.
That sounds great, which empires/regions did you study in particular? Yea it is a good forum, have you tried any of the facebook groups which focus on ancient greece, they post some good articles?
 
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I mainly focussed on European politics in the 19th century, but I also did a bit on the Wars of the Roses, Ancient Greece during the Peloponnesian wars, then the rise and fall of the Roman Empire. I have only recently started getting back into the history of Ancient Greece.
That sounds great, which empires/regions did you study in particular? Yea it is a good forum, have you tried any of the facebook groups which focus on ancient greece, they post some good articles?
I've never heard of the Wars of the Roses...sounds interesting I am doing some reading up on it now
 
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I mainly focussed on European politics in the 19th century, but I also did a bit on the Wars of the Roses, Ancient Greece during the Peloponnesian wars, then the rise and fall of the Roman Empire. I have only recently started getting back into the history of Ancient Greece.
That sounds great, which empires/regions did you study in particular? Yea it is a good forum, have you tried any of the facebook groups which focus on ancient greece, they post some good articles?
Sounds super interesting! The rise and fall of the Roman Empire especially. My focus was particularly on the Americas, and mostly on the Spanish and British empire, so looking at their initial conquest of the Americas and how it impacted many of the present day political situations in each region. Very telling stuff!
 
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I've never heard of the Wars of the Roses...sounds interesting I am doing some reading up on it now
It's a fascinating period in history. Arguably the most turbulent period in English Medieval History (It's what game of thrones is based off) :D
 
Sounds super interesting! The rise and fall of the Roman Empire especially. My focus was particularly on the Americas, and mostly on the Spanish and British empire, so looking at their initial conquest of the Americas and how it impacted many of the present day political situations in each region. Very telling stuff!
Yea I love Roman history, going to Rome twice this year I love it that much :) That sounds brilliant, I have not really studied American history (Bar watching some documentaries). I have always found Cortes really interesting, I need to look into it more. Which county was most interesting to study?
 

Greek Independence Day History

Greek Independence Day is coming up! I thought I would share a bit that I know about the history. Please chime in with corrections or anything to add!
  1. The Spark of Revolution: Greek Independence Day marks the day in 1821 when the Greeks began their revolt against the Ottoman Empire, a state that had controlled Greece for nearly 400 years. This revolt was influenced by the surge of nationalism throughout Europe and inspired by the Enlightenment ideals of liberty, equality, and fraternity.
  2. A Poet’s Declaration: The revolution officially began after Bishop Germanos of Patras raised the Greek flag at the Monastery of Agia Lavra in Peloponnese, symbolizing the call to arms. However, it was rumored that the war of independence was actually declared a few days earlier by Alexandros Ypsilantis, a Greek national hero, in the Danubian Principalities.
  3. International Support: The Greek fight for independence was not just a local effort; it garnered substantial international support from prominent figures such as Lord Byron from Britain, who notably spent his own money and later died in Greece, contributing to the Greek cause. This international backing was crucial for the morale of the Greek fighters and helped in diplomatic efforts later on.
  4. The Battle of Navarino: A pivotal point in the Greek War of Independence was the Battle of Navarino in 1827, where the combined fleets of Britain, France, and Russia defeated the Ottoman and Egyptian fleets. This naval battle marked a significant turning point that led to the eventual independence of Greece.
  5. Recognition and Autonomy: Greek Independence was formally recognized in 1830 by the Treaty of London. However, full sovereignty and the delineation of the Greek borders were not achieved until later. It allowed the foundation of the modern Greek state, under the governance of King Otto from Bavaria.

Athens and the creation of democracy

I've been thinking about Athens and how it's the birth of democracy. I wondered if other societies had experimented with the concepts or if Athens was unique? Does anyone know? I know that there's been some evidence that other societies experimented with community leadership, but none had a true democracy like what Athens developed.

It was unique in developing a system where a significant portion of its inhabitants could participate directly in decision-making processes. This early form of democracy was largely initiated under the leadership of Cleisthenes in 508/507 BC. His reforms reorganized the population into ten tribes based on their residence rather than lineage, promoting a broader and more inclusive political engagement.

In this Athenian democracy, citizens had the right to attend the Assembly (Ekklesia), where they could speak and vote on legislation and executive decisions. The Council of Five Hundred (Boule), selected by lot for each of the ten tribes, proposed legislation and handled daily affairs. This lottery system for public office sought to prevent power monopolies and encourage civic participation.

I know that this work truly influenced other democratic governments through the world!

Feel free to chime in with your thoughts- I find this stuff interesting.

My Top Favorite Greek Philosophers

There are too many philosophers to count, but these are the ones I am studying at the moment. It's fascinating to me how influential the Greek philosophers are. Here's some things I am learning:

#1 Socrates

If philosophy had a poster boy, Socrates might very well be it. The father of Western philosophy, Socrates was a gadfly to Athenian society, questioning everything and Master to Plato. Known for the Socratic Method and his unflinching commitment to truth, Socrates' influence is immeasurable despite never having written a word.

#2 Plato

Rightly succeeding his mentor on this list, Plato's Academy saw him birth the first "university" of its kind. His unabashed idealism, immortal Forms, allegories like the Cave, and the pursuit of 'The Good' in moral philosophy set the stage for much intellectual discourse.

#3 Aristotle

Aristotle, another of Plato's students, had a more grounded approach to philosophy than his predecessor. With establishing principles of logic and reason, and contributions to virtually every field of academia, from poetry to physics, Aristotle's body of work remains foundational.

#4 Heraclitus

Heraclitus, famed for the idea that "change is the only constant," viewed the cosmos through a lens of process, flux, and an everlasting Logos that governs the world. Although little of his work survives, his influence on ancient and modern thinkers is profound.

#5 Epicurus

Known for his eponymous philosophy, Epicurus taught that the greatest good is to seek modest pleasures in order to attain a state of tranquility, freedom from fear (ataraxia), and absence of bodily pain (aponia). Often misunderstood, Epicureanism is starkly different from the modern use of 'epicurean' - it's much less about a luxury lifestyle and more about ethical considerations regarding personal fulfillment.

What did the Ancient Greeks eat?

I am fascinated by the Ancient Greeks. I have a feeling that some of our modern Greek recipes are similar to the ancient ones. Like spoon sweets. It think that seems like something that was developed a long time ago as a way to preserve the fruit harvest.

So, I have been researching this. What did the Ancient Greeks eat? I wanted to share this video because I thought it was interesting.

Studying the Trojan War - Was it Real?

Did the Trojan War really happen? I am doing a bit of research and wanted to know what you guys thought:

The war is believed to have happened around 1200 BCE, and while there is no concrete evidence to support its occurrence, it is widely accepted as factual.

What is confusing me is how prevalent it is in Greek Mythology. In addition to the gods' involvement in the conflict, various stories and legends were added over time to give the tale more depth and drama. For example, the character of Achilles was said to be invulnerable except for his heel, which led to the phrase "Achilles heel" being used to describe a person's one weakness.

While some scholars once dismissed the Trojan War as pure myth, modern archaeological evidence has suggested that it may have been a real event. Excavations at the ancient site of Troy have revealed evidence of a long period of conflict and destruction, and historians have found similarities between the tale as it is told in ancient texts and what is known about the region's history at the time. While many details of the Trojan War are still shrouded in mystery, it seems increasingly likely that it was not just a legend but a real event that has been passed down through the ages.
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