Ancient History

Teaching Ancient Coins: A Ray of Hope

constantinakatsari June 25, 2010

Following my latest post on the problems of teaching numismatics, I thought I should offer also some hope. The first solution that springs to mind is to “Teach the Teachers”. Most ancient Historians and Classicists refrain from using coins in the classroom for paedagogical purposes. There are several reasons for this: 1) They have never been formally taught numismatists; therefore they do not know the potential of such a study, 2) They do not understand the theory of monetary economics, 3) They ... »

Quotation of the Week 17

constantinakatsari May 23, 2010

“History, like wood, has a grain in it which determines how it splits; and those in authority, besides trying to shape and direct events, sometimes find it more convenient just to let them happen.” (Malcolm Muggeridge, The Infernal Grove, 1975) »

Ancient History Competition 23

constantinakatsari May 22, 2010

Many would think that it was inappropriate for Spartans to use tricks in war, but he said that “where the lion’s skin is not enough, the fox’s skin must be added”. Who was he? »

Annual Baynes Meeting for Ancient Historians: The Great Depression

constantinakatsari May 17, 2010

This weekend I stayed at the Holiday Inn Express at Stevenage. You are probably wondering what on earth I was doing in such an unlikely town, as it is devoid of any historical or archaeological interest. And yet, its obscurity means that overworked and underpaid Ancient Historians from across the UK could afford to pay the modest hotel bill for one night (the whole experience cost us around 100 pounds) and hold there the important Annual Baynes Meeting. It is worth mentioning that, despite the l... »

Quotation of the week 15

constantinakatsari May 7, 2010

“History gets thicker as it approaches recent times” (Abba Eban, English History, 1914-1945, 1965) »

Ancient History Competition 21

constantinakatsari May 5, 2010

This Spartan princess could be mistaken for a prince because of her affinity for horse breeding and horse riding. And did I mention that she was remarkably rich? Who was she? »

Ancient History Competition 20

constantinakatsari April 29, 2010

He fled his city, but also helped it decisevely 11 years later. He lost a major naval battle, but won another major naval battle 11 years later. His son became a famous general. Who is he? »

Ancient History Competition 19

constantinakatsari April 22, 2010

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? »

Ancient History Competition 18

constantinakatsari April 13, 2010

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 10

constantinakatsari March 30, 2010

“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) »