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Aristarchus of Samos was a mathematician and astronomer who first proposed the theory that the planets orbit the sun. He also theorized that the stars are an unmoving distant sun, and that the size of the universe is much bigger than what was believed.
Greece’s mountainous terrain was not the best ground for farming, so they couldn't really grow wheat. Instead, they grew barley, which they found easier to grow and produce. Fortunately, olive trees and grapes grew well on the land.
At the time, they held strange superstitions about food as well. For example, some wouldn’t eat fava beans, as they were believed to contain the souls of the dead.
The Greeks at first refused to follow Alexander, dismissing him. The Greek city-state of Thebes led a resistance, only for Alexander to defeat their army, before destroying the city as punishment for their revolt. Terrified, the Greeks sent 10,000 men along with Alexander’s 30,000 Macedonian troops. They went all the way to Asia.
Families typically had an educated slave to teach their children. Both boys and girls learned to read, write, and do math, but girls typically received no further education. Older boys from rich families went to private schools, where they learned music and literature.
Greek poets first formalized what we now consider drama, including the concepts of tragedy and comedy. Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides dominated the stage when it came to tragedy.
The ancient Greeks came up with the concept of demokratia, or "rule by the people," which established the first democracy in the world.
In ancient Greece, solicitation was often associated with red lipstick, and they would be punished if they didn't wear it. Non-working women were discouraged from wearing lipstick.
The Antikythera Mechanism was discovered on the island of the same name. Dating back to 80 BCE, its mechanisms include differential gears that were used to calculate the movements of the planets.
The inhabitants called their nation Hellas or Hellada. And its official name was the Hellenic Republic. The ancient Romans came up with the word Greece, which was derived from the Latin word Graecia for "land of the Greeks."
According to the ancient Greeks, eating while lying down and having people serve them was a sign of power and luxury. This was a common practice with the elite.
Hippocrates pioneered the use of clinical observation, and of prognosis as a guide to treating disease. His methods for treating hemorrhoids, such as surgical excision and cauterization, remain in use today.
Interestingly, the term "idiot" originated in ancient Greece. An idiot was essentially a person who didn't participate in political and public arenas.
Under the Athenian democratic procedure of ostracism, citizens could vote to exile a politician for 10 years. The voting took place once a year, and citizens would nominate people who they felt threatened democracy.
The ancient Olympics were essentially a series of games honoring Zeus. And for that reason the ancient Greeks decreed that no wars would be permitted before the Games.
For the most part, only men had political rights, with women literally kept out of sight. Even in their own homes, women had to avoid guests unless explicitly invited to come out by their husbands or fathers. When they went outside, they had to dress modestly.
Number theory and mathematical analysis were developed thanks to the ancient Greeks. Mathematicians like Archimedes, Euclid, and Pythagoras also developed the main principles of the classical geometry used today.
In ancient Greece, salt was worth so much that slaves were traded for it. That originated the common expression "not worth his salt."
Greek colonization started back during their dark age, caused by instability, poverty, and even overpopulation in ancient Greece. The first colonies arose on the islands of the Eastern Aegean, and then the Asian coast of the Aegean Sea.
Ancient Greece condoned slavery, and it's estimated that between 40% to 80% of Athens' population were slaves. On average, slaves made up a third of ancient Greece’s population.
In ancient Greece, people often used stones, called pessoi, or fragments of ceramic, ostraka, to wipe. Let's take a moment to appreciate toilet paper!
Spartan boys began a state-sponsored training regimen at the age of seven. The regimen was instrumental in transforming them into skilled soldiers.
Sources: (History) (BBC) (Museum Facts)
See also: 30 of the most famous Greek landmarks beyond the Acropolis
Contrary to popular belief, the statues were not white. At the time, they were painted in vibrant colors that became faded over time.
The concept of handshakes originated way back in ancient Greece. Its earliest depiction is on an early fifth century BCE archaeological relief that showcases Hera, the goddess of marriage, shaking hands with Athena, the goddess of war.
In ancient Greece, the unibrow was considered a sign of beauty and intelligence. Women who didn’t possess natural ones would draw them on with makeup.
The ancient Greeks worshiped 12 major gods. And in addition to those 12, they worshiped Agnostos Theos, the Unknown God.
It was considered barbaric to drink undiluted wine, so the ancient Greeks would add some water to it. This was because only the god of wine, Dionysus, could drink undiluted wine and not get drunk.
In 490 BCE, King Darius the Great of Persia sent a fleet with soldiers across the Aegean Sea to Greece. The Athenians met them at Marathon, using the local geography to make up for their smaller numbers. This eventually forced the Persians to retreat.
Sheep made up the most common sacrifice, but the ancient Greeks also sacrificed other animals, too. Those included goats, pigs, and poultry, with bulls as the least common but most prestigious.
About 2,500 years ago, Greece was one of the most important places in the ancient world. The ancient Greeks were great thinkers, writers, athletes, artists, and politicians who left a huge inheritance in fields like democracy, drama, and philosophy. Modern civilization owes a lot to ancient Greece, as it helped establish many foundations of today's cultures.
Want to learn more about this glorious ancestor of modern civilization? Then click through the following gallery.
Curious facts about ancient Greece
The culture that was at the forefront of astronomy, drama, philosophy, politics, and more
LIFESTYLE History
About 2,500 years ago, Greece was one of the most important places in the ancient world. The ancient Greeks were great thinkers, writers, athletes, artists, and politicians who left a huge inheritance in fields like democracy, drama, and philosophy. Modern civilization owes a lot to ancient Greece, as it helped establish many foundations of today's cultures.
Want to learn more about this glorious ancestor of modern civilization? Then click through the following gallery.