Ancient History Competition 19
Manolis grades the difficulty of the following quiz at 4 out of 10. He was obsessively loved by the Syracusans, relentlessly mocked by Aristophanes, and brutally killed by dogs. Who was he? »
constantinakatsari's Posts
Quotation of the Week 13
“Human blunders usually do more to shape history than Roman wickedness.” (A.J.P. Taylor, The Origins of the Second World War, 1961) »
Do not take Archaeology too seriously!
Archaeology provides tangible proof of past actions, civilizations, cultures. It is an essential tool for the writing of ancient history. And yet, its results can be abused, falsified or distorted. In the hands of an archaeologist the following pictures are nothing more than an amusing hoax. In the hands of others, though, it could turn into an undoubted proof that giants existed in Biblical times, in accordance with the teachings of the Old Testament. »
Mediterranean Identities Conference Report
Two weeks ago, from the 26th to the 28th March, the International Conference „Mediterranean Identities: Formation and Transformation” took place in Leicester. This was part of the successful and long standing collaboration between the Department of Classics at the University of Nottingham and the School of Archaeology and Ancient History at the University of Leicester. The participants, who came from around the globe and represented all five continents, had only one aim in mind: To discuss Ident... »
Quotation of the Week 12
“History started badly and has been getting steadily worse.” (Goeffrey Williams and Ronald Searle, Down with Skool!, 1953) »
Ancient History Competition 18
In 425 Aristophanes makes fun of this man’s love for war. In 405, 9 years after this man’s death, Aristophanes laments his loss and calls him a ‘hero’. He is speechless in Thucydides. Who is he? »
Quotation of the Week 11
“It is a fair summary of history to say that the safeguards of liberty have been forged in controversies involving not very nice people.” (Felix Frankfurter, dissenting opinion in United States v. Rabinowitz, 1950) »
Ancient History Competition 17
Manolis is rested and back on track after a wonderful, sunny Easter in Greece. So, he sent me this new and exciting quiz. He invaded a town in time of truce, surrounded the theater in which an assembly was taking place, shot everybody down, then killed all adult males and sold the women and children as slaves in order to get money for his mercenary army. An ancient historian says of him: “He was a cruel and unjust robber”. Who was he? »
Ancient Greek in the Park
I have always been in favour of the popularisation of Ancient History and the Classics, since I believe that this is the only way for the discipline to remain alive. In accordance to my belief, I present here the announcement of Greek language sessions taking place outdoors in Oxford during the Spring and the Summer. Specifically, The Iris Project will be starting up a new series of free lessons for adults and families. Ancient Greek in the Park will involve a series of free hour-long weekly ses... »
Quotation of the Week 10
“People who make history know nothing about history. You can see that in the sort of history they make.” (G.K. Chesterton, in J.A. Gere and John Sparow (eds.), Goeffrey Madan’s Notebooks, 1981) »