The History of Ancient Greece

In this episode, we discuss the origins of drama in the Attic countryside, its relation to the cult of Dionysos, and its introduction to Athens in the late 6th century BC; its evolution from a chorus of satyrs singing dithyrambs to the addition of actors (aka Thespians from the first one, Thespis); the Dionysia festivals celebrating the cultivation of vines, both "Rural" throughout Attica during the month of Poseideon (late December/early January) and "City" in Athens during the month of Elaphebolion (late March/early April), as well as the Lenaia in the month of Gamelion (late January/early February); the physical space and early evolution of the theater in the sanctuary of Dionysios Eleuthereos on the southern slope of the Athenian acropolis; the various roles of the actors and the chorus and their costumes; the components of tragic and comedic plays; and drama's civic importance in 5th century BC Athens Show Notes: http://www.thehistoryofancientgreece.com/2017/07/049-theater-and-dionysia.html

10 Heinä 201747min

In this episode, we discuss how, when, and where different subgroups of ancient Greeks consumed food each day; what particular foods were part of each's diet; some famous early cookbook authors; viticulture and the economic, religious, and medicinal role of wine; the festival of Anthesteria in the month of Anthesterion (late February/early March), which celebrated the beginning of spring and marked the ceremonious opening of the wine jars from the previous autumn's harvest; and the symposium (drinking-party), an aristocratic social event which included philosophical/light-hearted discussions, musical performances, song-singing, storytelling, flirting, and competitions (such as kottabos, aka ancient wine pong) Show Notes: http://www.thehistoryofancientgreece.com/2017/07/048-food-wine-and-symposium.html

3 Heinä 201747min

In this episode, we discuss the iconography of the hero Herakles (also known as Hercules); his early myths, his infamous twelve labors, and his later life; his heroic persona, how he was worshipped as a pan-Hellenic divine hero, and some of his cults, including those in initiatory and pederastic contexts, as a guardian of the city, and as a military and wrestling champion; and his role as a founder of many Greek cities and as an apostle of Hellenism in the western Mediterranean Show Notes: http://www.thehistoryofancientgreece.com/2017/06/047-herakles-from-zero-to-hero.html

19 Kesä 20171h 2min

In this episode, we discuss the importance of heroes in Greek myth, the creation of various beasts and monsters, and the lives and accomplishments of various mythic heroes who often times fought against these monsters; including Kadmos of Thebes and the Ismenian Dragon, Perseus of Argos and the Gorgon Medousa;  Bellerophon of Korinth, Pegasos, and the Chimaira; the cursed family of Pelops and the Oath of Tyndareos; the Lapiths, the Kentauroi, and the Kentauromachia; Meleagros, Atalante, and the Kalydonian Boar Hunt; and the troublemaking of Peirithoos and Theseus Show Notes: http://www.thehistoryofancientgreece.com/2017/06/046-monsters-and-heroes.html

12 Kesä 20171h 6min

In this episode, we discuss the various types of ancient Greek musical instruments during the Classical Period; how and for what purpose they were used; and the lives and works of the three great 5th century BC lyric poets who pioneered the genre of the epinikion (victory ode)—Simonides of Keos (556-468 BC), Bacchylides of Keos (ca. 525-450 BC), and Pindar of Thebes (522-443 BC), as well as their connections with the lesser known poets Korrina of Tanagra, Lasos of Hermione, and Timokreon of Rhodes Show Notes: http://www.thehistoryofancientgreece.com/2017/06/045-music-and-victory-odes.html

5 Kesä 201757min

In this episode, we discuss the democratic machinations of Classical Athens in the mid-to-late 5th century BC; including the role that the Athenian statesman Perikles had on the radicalization of Athenian democracy, the magistracies, the Pynx and the ekklesia, the boule and prytaneis, the law courts and jury system, law and order, contemporary critiques of Athenian democracy, and the economics of running the democracy (through a system of public donations known as the liturgies) Show Notes: http://www.thehistoryofancientgreece.com/2017/05/044-democracy-under-pericles.html

15 Touko 201755min

In this episode, we discuss the years spanning 454-446 BC, covering Athens' increasingly imperialistic behavior and the final years of the First Peloponnesian War Show Notes: http://www.thehistoryofancientgreece.com/2017/05/043-imperial-athens.html   Intro by Rob and Jamie of the Totalus Rankium Podcast Website: https://totalusrankium.podbean.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/romanemperorstotalusrankium Twitter: https://twitter.com/TotalusRankium

8 Touko 201749min

In this episode, we discuss the years spanning 461-454 BC, covering the early part of the First Peloponnesian War / "The Undeclared War" Show Notes: www.thehistoryofancientgreece.com/2017/05/…war.html   Intro by Ahmet Ozakca of the Groovy Historian Podcast Website: https://groovy-historian.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GroovyHistorian Twitter: https://twitter.com/GroovyHistorian

1 Touko 201745min