The hottest Ancient Greece Substack posts right now

Comedy in ancient Greece was not just for laughs, but a tool for satire and social commentary.
Aristophanes was regarded as the Prince of Ancient Comedy, known for his humorous insights on history and humanity.
Studying Aristophanes and his works can provide valuable lessons about women in ancient times and his views on war.

The ancient Greek myth of Deucalion surviving a catastrophic flood has similarities to the Biblical story of Noah's Ark, showcasing different visions of destruction: fire, ice, and water.
Creation myths play a significant role in ancient cultures, often symbolizing the origin of the world and human species, like with Prometheus creating mankind and Deucalion repopulating the earth after the flood.
Deucalion's survival from the flood, along with his wife Pyrrha, led to the repopulation of the earth through divine guidance, and their offspring Hellen is the legendary ancestor of the Greek race.

Artemisia of Caria was a fascinating and feared figure in history, known for her cunning tactics and subterfuge in naval battles.
Artemisia's advice to Xerxes before the Battle of Salamis was disregarded, potentially changing the course of history if he had listened.
Artemisia's legacy as a strong-willed queen, conqueror, and commander challenges the norms of her time when women were often encouraged to remain anonymous.

In Finland, support for joining NATO increased over the years, leading to eventual membership in 2023.
Winston Churchill's father expressed disappointment and criticism towards him, revealing a strained relationship.
The student protests in Paris in 1968 reflected a rejection of societal norms and an influence of Situationism.

Homer's parentage and birthplace were subjects of debate in antiquity, with various conflicting claims made about his lineage, including being the son of different figures or from different regions.
Homer's name is believed to have origins linked to tense political situations, where he was named after being a hostage or because he provided inspired war advice.
Homeric poems were not necessarily composed as complete works but were performed in parts by rhapsodes, later compiled and ordered by various individuals, including Pisistratus the tyrant of Athens.

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Athena's role in Homeric epic is as a right-hand to her father and a special sponsor of heroes like Diomedes in the Iliad.
Athena's birth, as per various texts, reflects the resolution of conflicts in the creation of the Universe, showing her as somewhat androgynous.
Athena is depicted with a wide range of epithets and cult-names across different regions, showcasing the diversity in her representations and worship.

Human sacrifices were believed to have happened at Mt. Lykaion in Greece, where a significant discovery of human bones was made in 2016.
The area is linked to King Lycaon, who supposedly challenged Zeus and was transformed into a wolf as a result of his actions.
This site also shows that other cultures, like the Romans, had practices of human sacrifice to please their gods, highlighting a widespread ancient belief in the need for sacrifices.

Greek literature survived not just through material preservation, but through its utility and constant transmission.
The survival of ancient Greek texts relied on continuous copying, debate, and adaptation through different mediums over centuries.
The future existence of ancient Greek texts is uncertain, as modern technology poses challenges for their preservation and transmission.