The History of Ancient Greece

In this episode, we discuss what it was was like in ancient Athens for a young girl or boy from birth to adolescence, by looking at childbirth, childhood, the various rites of passages that they must surpass on the way to becoming teenagers, the paideia education system (both Old and New) and finally the training young boys undertook in order to be accepted as a hoplite citizen warrior Show Notes:...

In this episode, we discuss the myths, iconography, and cultic worship of Artemis, the virgin goddess of the hunt, the wilderness, the moon, and the protector of the young Show Notes:  http://www.thehistoryofancientgreece.com/2018/06/076-goddess-of-young.html   Intro by Tanner Campbell of the Legends, Myths, and Whiskey Podcast Website:  https://legendsmythsandwhiskey.com Twitter: https://twitter....

In this special guest episode, Peta and I discuss a few aspects in regards to the role of women in the religious sphere of Rome and compare/contrast it with ancient Greece Show Notes:  http://www.thehistoryofancientgreece.com/2018/10/special-guest-episode-on-roman-women.html   Peta Greenfield Co-Host of the Partial Historians Podcast Website:  https://partialhistorians.com Facebook:  https://www.f...

In this episode, we discuss the medical and philosophical writings on women's bodies, particularly the Hippokratic Corpus and Aristotle, relating to the topics of menstruation, pregnancy, and the "wandering womb"; the various methods and techniques for conception, contraception, abortion, and exposure; the legal procedure for divorces (usually due to childlessness and adultery); and the ways in wh...

In this episode, we discuss the legal status of women in Ancient Greece (including the dowry and the epikleros), the betrothal and marriage rituals, and the ideal of separation and seclusion for women (the evidence for and against it) Show Notes:  http://www.thehistoryofancientgreece.com/2018/04/074-marriage-and-domesticity.htm

In this episode, we discuss the basic designs of ancient Greek homes and what type of furniture, decoration, lighting, and so forth might be found in them; the physical and idealistic seperation between the gynakeion (women's quarters) and the andron (men's quarters); the pitfalls to ancient Athens as an urban city (such as the street-side defecation), as well as the benefits (such as the gymnasia...

In this episode, we discuss the myths, iconography, and cultic worship of Hera, the queen of the heavens and wife of Zeus, and the guardian of women, marriage, childbirth, and the family unit Show Notes:  http://www.thehistoryofancientgreece.com/2018/03/072-wrathful-queen.html   Intro by Liv Albert of Let's Talk About Myths, Baby! Website:  https://www.mythsbaby.com Facebook:  https://www.facebook...

In this special guest episode, Aven and I discuss love, sex, and prostitution from the Roman perspective and compare/contrast it with ancient Greece Show Notes:  http://www.thehistoryofancientgreece.com/2018/03/special-guest-episode-on-roman.html   Aven McMaster Assistant Professor of Ancient Studies at Thorneloe University at Laurentian Co-Host of the Endless Knot Podcast Website:  http://www.all...

In this episode, we discuss Greek love and sexuality by examining the formal social institution known as pederasty; the various theories of love as described by Plato (through various speakers) in his treatise, the Symposion; the various methods in which Athenian males (and non-citizen women) were able to have sex; the depiction of nudity and genitalia in art and masturbation; the various types of...

In this episode, we discuss the myths, iconography, and cultic worship of Aphrodite, the goddess of beauty, love, sexual pleasure, and procreation Show Notes:  http://www.thehistoryofancientgreece.com/2018/02/070-goddess-of-seduction.html

In this episode, we discuss the notion of the barbaroi in Greek culture; the origins and philosophical theories for slavery; and the legal status and type of roles (and importance) that slaves and metics (foreign residents) had in the Athenian economy Show Notes:  http://www.thehistoryofancientgreece.com/2018/02/069-slaves-and-foreigners.html

In this episode, we discuss the various ways in which the ancient Greeks traveled, whether it was via land or sea; the physical layout of the port of Piraeus and the commercial activity that took place there; the mining district of Thorikos and how silver was mined for coinage and how coins were struck; farming techniques and how produce/goods were sold in the agora; the various types of manufactu...

In this episode, we discuss the myths, iconography, and cultic worship of Hephaistos (the god of fire, metallurgy, and craftsmen) and Hermes (the messenger god of cunning and deceit and the protector of thieves, travelers, merchants, athletes, and boundaries) Show Notes:  http://www.thehistoryofancientgreece.com/2018/01/067-hephaistos-and-hermes.html   Intro by Abel Kay of The Tale of Rome Podcast...

In this episode, we discuss the construction, history, and significance of the Athenian Agora (the civic, religious, legal, and commercial nerve center for Athenian democracy), including a walking tour of what a visitor then and now would see Show Notes:  http://www.thehistoryofancientgreece.com/2017/12/066-athenian-agora.html  

In this episode, we discuss the construction, the history, and the significance of the buildings on the Athenian Akropolis (including the Parthenon, the Propylaia, the Temple of Athena Nike, the Erechtheion, and a few others); together, these buildings mark the high point of the glorification of Athens, a confident assertion of its cultural leadership of Greece, a bold endorsement of its self-imag...

In this episode, we discuss the myths, iconography, and cultic worship of Athena, the goddess of wisdom, craftsmanship, and strategic warfare who served as a kind of symbol for the city of Athens and civilization in general Show Notes:  http://www.thehistoryofancientgreece.com/2017/12/064-protectress-of-athens.html

In this episode, we discuss the myths, iconography, and cultic worship of Poseidon, the violent and unpredictable god who ruled over the sea Show Notes:  http://www.thehistoryofancientgreece.com/2017/11/063-lord-of-sea.html

In this episode, we discuss the Attic calendar year with a focus on various agricultural festivals and ceremonies; starting in the fall at the time of sowing we work our way around the year, month-by-month, until it is time to sow once again; particular attention is given to the Thesmophoria and the Eleusinian Mysteries, including a walking tour of what a visitor then and now would see at the site...

In this episode, we  discuss  the primordial goddess Gaia (the personification of Mother Earth) and her relationship with Demeter, the goddess of agriculture; the myths and iconography of the "two goddesses," Demeter and her daughter Persephone / Kore (including the daughter's abduction by Hades); Persephone's dual role as Queen of the Underworld and an agriculture goddess, like her mother; and th...

In this episode, we discuss the mysterious, shadowy figure of Hades (Lord of the Underworld); the Greek perception of the afterlife and those who dwell in it; necromancy (the summoning of the dead to answer questions); where and how one can make a katabasis (decent) into the Underworld; and Homer's description of the abode of Hades in Book Eleven of the Odyssey and then  comparing and contrasting...

In this episode, we discuss the myths, iconography, and cultic worship of Zeus, the mighty patriarch who ruled over Mount Olympos; included are his Indo-European origins as the supreme sky god; his role as the god who maintains order and justice by presiding over normative civic, social, and family relationships; his connection with Themis (Divine Law), Nemesis (Revenge), and the three Moirai (the...

In this episode, we discuss the innovations during the 5th century BC in the realm of temple building (outside of Attika, that is); included are the Temple of Aphaia at Aigina, the Temple of Zeus at Olympia, the Temple of Hera II at Poseidonia (Paestum), the Temple of Victory at Himera, the Temple of Apollo at Syracuse, the Valley of the Temples at Akragas (Agrigento), the Temple of Hera at Selino...

In this episode, we discuss the innovations during the 5th century BC in the realm of painting on pottery, walls, and wooden panels; included are some of the most famous vase paintings of the Kleoprades Painter, the Berlin Painter, Onesimos, the Brygos Painter, the Pistoxenos Painter, Sotades, the Niobid Painter, the Achilles Painter, the Penthesilea Painter, the Pisticci Painter, and the Meidias...

In this episode, we discuss the innovations during the 5th century BC in the realm of free-standing statuary in the round, stelai, and architectural relief; included are the Kritios Boy and the Angelitos' Athena from the "Persian debris", the Tyrannicides by Antenor, the Charioteer of Delphi, the Artemision Zeus/Poseidon, the Riace Warriors, the Statue of Zeus Carrying Ganymedes, the Mourning Athe...

In this episode, we discuss the Phrygian goddess Kybele; her cult's transportation from Asia Minor to Greece in the 6th century BC; her assimilation with various aspects of the cults of Gaia, Rhea, and Demeter as the Great Mother and as a civic protector (particularly in Athens); her cultic rites and influence on Dionysos (Bakkhos), particularly music, wine, and an ecstatic following; the myths of...