Today’s quiz should not be too difficult, as I decided to drop one small hint. Manolis insists that the this level of questions is appropriate for the intelligent people who follow the blog. And I agree! I cannot believe all of the questions, so far, have been answered so succesfully. So… Name a Hellenistic king whose father-in-law was a tyrant. »
The one duty we own to history is to rewrite it. (Oscar Wilde. Intentions 1891 ‘The critic as an artist’) »
Manolis thinks that the following quiz is easier! I know, though, that many of you will not share his opinion. Here it goes. A 5th-4th century BC dithyrambic poet and a 4th century BC Athenian general had the same name. What was it? »
History is an account, mostly false, of events, mostly unimportant, which are brought about by rulers, mostly knaves, and soldiers, mostly fools. (Ambrose Bierce, 1842-1814. Definition of history; The Cynics Word Book. 1906) »
Manolis thought that the previous competition was way too easy. So, he decided to ask you something a bit more difficult. This is for specialists of the Hellenistic period who also know modern Athens. It is a poem of the Hellenistic period. It is also the name of a modern-day suburb of Athens. Which poem is it? »
The Winter Semester is upon us! Tomorrow I start teaching and I feel that I am not as prepared as I should be. I have been dealing with the administration and rewriting of modules for the past three weeks but everything seems to be half finished. A sense of inadequacy and fear lurks somewhere in the deeper folds of my soul, as the students are arriving for their lessons. Even before teaching starts, I am already overworked, tired and anxious about the outcome. And I am probably not the only one.... »
All the eminent ancient historians who read this blog have not been able to solve the previous quiz. How is that possible? In any case I will withhold the answer until a knight in shiny armour comes forward to rescue the reputation of our professionals. This week Manolis decided to ask you something easy. here it goes: “We have set up equality between slaves and free men” Pseudo-Xenophon (“Old Oligarch”), 1.12 Can you remember the name of a slave who became an Athenian ci... »
Before I even start writing today’s post, I should state that I am NOT a crypto-activist. My love for the ancient world, though, prompts me to bring to your attention some monuments, which are in need of protection. One of these is the ancient Diolkos, the pathway (6-8 km) from the Saronicos to the Corinthian Gulf, which allowed boats to be transported overland. It facilitated the transportation of goods and people, whether these were destined for commerce or for military campaigns. It remained ... »
I am sorry I have not posted the competition yesterday but moving back to the UK and suffering from the snow took its toll. Manolis, who is a Peloponnesian History buff, send us another one of his quizzes. “I feel that we will leave this war (i.e.the Peloponnesian War) as a legacy to our children” King Archidamus in 432 BC (Thucydides, 1.81.6) Did they leave the war to their children? I believe they did. Prove it by naming pairs of fathers and sons, who are both active in Thucydi... »
How many countries do you know that dedicate themselves to destroying their own heritage? How many countries do you know that, at the same time, profit from their classical tradition? Greece must be one of them. The Greek government and the Greek people are proud for the development of two industries: shipping and tourism. Of these, tourism relies heavily on the existence, upkeep and advertisement of its ancient monuments. The ministry of tourism focuses its campaigns on the “fact” that Greece i... »