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  

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

In this episode, we discuss the iconography of Herakles, his early myths, his infamous twelve labors, his later life, his heroic persona, how he was worshipped as a pan-Hellenic divine hero, 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 apostle of Hellenism in the western Mediterranean Show Notes: http://www.thehistoryofancientgreece.com/2017/06/047-herakles-from-zero-to-hero.html

In this episode, we discuss the importance of heroes in Greek mythology, the creation of various beasts and monsters, and the lives and accomplishments of various mythic heroes who often times fought against these monsters; including Cadmus of Thebes and the Ismenian Dragon, Perseus of Argos and the Gorgon Medusa;  Bellerophon of Corinth, Pegasus, and the Chimaera; the cursed family of Pelops and the Oath of Tyndareus; the Lapiths, the Centaurs, and the Centauromachy; Meleager, Atalanta, and the Caledonian Boar Hunt; and the troublemaking of Pirithous and Theseus Show Notes: http://www.thehistoryofancientgreece.com/2017/06/046-monsters-and-heroes.html

In this episode, we discuss the various types of ancient Greek musical instruments during the Classical Period and 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 Ceos (556-468 BC), Bacchylides of Ceos (ca. 525-ca. 450 BC), and Pindar of Thebes (522-443 BC), as well as their connections with the lesser known poets Corrina of Tanagra, Lasos of Hermione, and Timocreon of Rhodes Show Notes: http://www.thehistoryofancientgreece.com/2017/06/045-music-and-victory-odes.html  

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 Pericles had on the radicalization of Athenian democracy, the magistracies, the ekklesia, the boule and prytaneis, the law courts and jurors, 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

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

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

Explore the 460s BC as Cimon leads a stunning victory at the Eurymedon River, reshaping Athenian power and intensifying tensions with Sparta. Delve into Themistocles' dramatic fall from grace and his surprising acceptance in the Persian court. Learn about the revolt of Thasos and its impact on Athenian ambitions. The episode highlights the assassination of Ephialtes, signaling a shift toward radical democracy, and the rise of Pericles as a pivotal leader amid growing unrest.

In this episode, we discuss the aftermath of the Persian Wars and how the Athenians and Spartans both come to terms with the new state of affairs; the formation of the Delian League under Athens to carry on the war effort against Persia at sea; and the post-war political factions in Athens (Themistokles and Xanthippos vs Kimon and Aristeides) and in Sparta (Leotychidas and Pausanias vs Pleistarchos) and their struggle to dictate Athenian-Spartan foreign policy in the 470s BC Show Notes: http://www.thehistoryofancientgreece.com/2017/04/040-war-hawks-and-peace-doves.html   Intro by Rob Sims of the History in the Making Podcast Website: http://www.hitmpodcast.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hitmpodcast Twitter: https://twitter.com/HITMpodcast