Ancient History Competition 49

Manolis came up today with a very exciting question. Give it a try!

Sophocles, Aristotle, Euclid, Eratosthenes, Theognis, Aeschines. Besides being some of the most famous writers and scientists of antiquity, what did all these people have in common?

12 Comments

1. 

   Caro August 1, 2011, 7:24 am Reply

   They were men? And they spoke Greek…

   • 

     constantinakatsari August 1, 2011, 12:07 pm Reply

     Obviously! But I am looking for the not so obvious answer!

     • 

       Mike August 1, 2011, 10:45 pm Reply

       They lived some time in Makedonia.

       • 

         constantinakatsari August 2, 2011, 4:33 am Reply

         Not at all!

2. 

   Richard K. Munro August 7, 2011, 10:00 am Reply

   They studied in Alexandria? Or visited Egypt? It is quite a varied group! I know some of them studied at the library of Alexandria Euclid, Eratosthenes at least.

3. 

   rwmg August 7, 2011, 11:22 am Reply

   They’ve got lunar or planetary features named after them? (not sure about Theognis for that one)

4. 

   constantinakatsari August 7, 2011, 2:28 pm Reply

   OK, I will give you a clue. They all had to do with Athens.

5. 

   Yannis Stoyas August 7, 2011, 9:58 pm Reply

   Sophocles and Aeschines were born in Athens.
   Aristotle lived there for a while. Euclid and Eratosthenes (may) have studied in Athens.
   Hmm, Theognis the tyrant or Theogis of Megara?

6. 

   constantinakatsari August 7, 2011, 10:02 pm Reply

   OK. One more clue. But that is the last one. They all belonged to the same group.

7. 

   Yannis Stoyas August 7, 2011, 10:30 pm Reply

   Oh, come on! You mean six of the Thirty Tyrants of Athens!

   • 

     constantinakatsari August 8, 2011, 1:31 am Reply

     We have a winner!

8. 

   elysiafields September 11, 2011, 11:10 pm Reply

   They all participated in the Greater Mystery rites of the Eleusinian Mysteries?