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efhernandez_

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Prior to the Ancient Greeks, ancient ships would often throw large stones that were tied with ropes over the side of the boats to keep them steady. Even though this did work up to a point, it didn’t work all that well. No matter how heavy the stone was, it would still drift slightly in the ocean. The Ancient Greeks solved this problem by created the first real anchors, which they often referred to as “teeth”, or ὀδὁντες in the original Greek. These first anchors were made from buckets that were filled with stones. These buckets would grab onto the dirt at the ocean floor, thus keeping the ship in plate. Because each ship had several of these anchors, it made the ship even steadier. Even when there was a place to tie the boat to, the anchors were still used to provide extra stability.
 
This is awesome! They were so innovative. Most of us don't realize how much of an impact the ancient Greeks had on us, even today.
 

Kingdoms in Ancient Greece?

My niece has a school project about Ancient Greece, and she asked me an interesting question: were there kingdoms in Ancient Greece? I always associate Greece with city-states like Athens and Sparta, but I’m wondering if there were any actual kingdoms during that time.

Did Ancient Greece ever have kings ruling over larger territories, or was it mostly independent city-states? I’ve heard of Mycenae and the Minoans—were they considered kingdoms? And how do they compare to the more famous city-states of the Classical period?

If anyone has insights or resources that could help me explain this to her in a simple way, I’d really appreciate it. She's 11 years old and she chose this topic herself.

Battle of Salamis Question

On my next trip to Greece, I plan to visit Salamis. The history surrounding the Battle of Salamis has always fascinated me.

I know it was a pivotal naval battle during the Greco-Persian Wars, but I’m curious about the strategies the Greeks used to defeat the much larger Persian fleet.

What were the key factors that led to the Greek victory, and how significant was Themistocles’ role in the battle? I want to get ready for my visit!

Greek Navy in World War II?

I’ve been reading about Greece’s involvement in WWII, and I’m curious about the role of the Greek Navy during the war. We often hear about the Greek Army’s heroic defense against the Italian invasion and the resistance movements during the Nazi occupation, but I’d like to know more about what the Navy contributed.

Did the Greek Navy have a significant role in defending the country or supporting the Allies? Were there any notable battles, missions, or achievements they were involved in? How did the occupation affect the Navy's operations?

If anyone has insights, resources, or stories about the Greek Navy’s role in WWII, I’d love to hear more about it. This is such a fascinating chapter of history, and it would be great to uncover how the Navy contributed to Greece’s fight during the war.

Looking forward to your thoughts!

Ancient Greek New Year's Celebrations?

With the new year just around the corner, I started wondering how the ancient Greeks marked the occasion. Did they even celebrate a “new year,” and if so, when was it? I’ve read that different city-states had their own calendars, so it might have varied.

Were there any particular rituals, festivals, or traditions tied to the start of a new year in ancient Greece? For example, did they have special feasts, honor certain gods, or perform ceremonies for good fortune?

It’s fascinating how modern New Year’s traditions often connect to older practices, so I’d love to learn more about how the ancient Greeks might have welcomed new beginnings. If anyone has insights into their calendars, seasonal changes, or cultural practices around this time.

Crash Course to Learning Greek Philosophy?

I’ve recently become really interested in Greek philosophy, but I’m feeling a bit overwhelmed by where to start. There are so many philosophers, schools of thought, and ancient texts that I’m not sure how to structure my learning.

I’d love to get a crash course-style approach—something that gives me a solid foundation before diving deeper. Should I start with Plato and Aristotle, or go even earlier with the Pre-Socratics? Are there any beginner-friendly books, online courses, or videos that give a clear overview of key ideas?

Also, how much of the original texts should I read, or are there good modern summaries that explain them in a more accessible way?

If anyone has a structured learning path or recommendations for someone just starting out, I’d really appreciate it! Looking forward to your insights.
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