Greece is a nation rich in culture and history, whose legacy has shaped Western civilization for many years. Thus it has a long and fascinating history, from the gods’ stories to the conflicts between the ancient city-states.
Let’s have a look at 10 of the most fascinating historical facts about Greece in the following! Let’s find some interesting facts about Greece history!
Ancient Greece
Ancient Greece, actually was a civilization, despite speaking a variety of dialects, the Greeks shared many cultural characteristics, a religion, and a language.
The city-state was the fundamental political unit, thus they frequently engaged in conflict, yet they were also capable of cooperating to fight against mutual enemies, as they did in the Persian Wars (492-449 BCE). Also, Athens and Sparta had an impact outside of their borders.
Origin of Democracy
The idea of democracy or „government by the people,” is among the most important things ancient Greece gave to the modern world. The birthplace of democracy is frequently attributed to Athens, one of the great city-states in ancient Greece. Indeed, the word “democracy” is Greek in origin in a society where kings and other monarchs held absolute power, this arrangement was revolutionary.
The first democracy, which allowed all residents to participate in political decision-making, was created in Athens in 50 B.C. This kind of government is widespread in many nations today. The greatest gift the ancient Athenians gave us might be this.
War of the Trojans
The Trojan War is one of the most well-known wars. Ten years were spent fighting in the conflict between the Greeks and the Trojans. The iconic Trojan horse and the fall of Troy marked the end of the conflict. How come that?
Well, the tale of the Trojan Horse is well known. According to the legend, the Greeks were losing confidence in their fight against the Trojans, who were safe behind the thick walls of Troy.
Thus, the Greeks built a huge wooden horse and set it aside the gates as a tribute to Athena to surprise the Trojans. According to reports, the Trojan Horse measured 10 feet in width, 25 feet in height, and about 8 feet in length. There was room for 40 soldiers inside the Trojan Horse. The Trojans carried the horse inside, assuming the Greeks were gone. The Trojan War has put to an end when the Greeks emerged from the Trojan Horse while they were asleep and besieged Troy.
Greece and slaves, “a piece of property that breathes”
Ancient Greece made up almost 80% of the population slaves, beginning with prisoners and ending up with the children of the slaves. The Ancient Greeks bought slaves. Not with money as you think, but…with salt. Yep, and from here derives the saying „not worth his salt”.
Stop questioning if you’re „worth the salt” and let’s learn more interesting facts about Greece history.
Spartans – childhood only until 7 years old
Males shared barracks in a sort of enormous military camp that the Spartans called home. Sons were only cared after by women up until the age of 7. When spartans were sent to the garrison, thus started military training.
Moreover, it seems that their military service was complete at age 30, which is the time when Spartan Men were permitted to remain with their families.
Greece – “faulty babies” not wanted
Each child that was born feeble and unwell was slain, according to the Greek historian Plutarch, since in their conception, they were useless.
Ancient Greece – major importance
Philosophy, mathematics, literature, astronomy, medicine, and many other fields all benefited greatly from the work of the ancient Greeks. Despite the passing of three thousand years, many facets of contemporary life still draw on Greek concepts. For instance:
Several prefixes and suffixes in the English language have their root in Ancient Greek terms like the words „anti” and „micro” which means „against” and „tiny”.
You see, you already spoke some Greek language!
The Hippocratic oath is still occasionally taken by doctors today as a symbol of their ethical commitment to providing the best care possible for patients. The oath they take today is based on the original writings of the Greek physician Hippocrates.
Pythagoras of ancient Greece was the first to demonstrate that, in a right-angled triangle, the sum of the squares of the two right-angle sides will always equal the square of the hypotenuse (the long side). Today’s schools still cover Pythagoras’ Theorem in their curricula.
Greece and the Olympic Games
Every four years, the Olympic Games, a major international sporting event, are held. The earliest known Olympics were conducted in Greece in 776 B.C., and they were a celebration of Zeus, a Greek deity. Participating in the Olympics, according to the ancient Greeks, was a method to worship the gods and bring good fortune.
Theodosius I of Rome outlawed the Olympics in 39 B.C., but they were reinstated in 1896 and have been conducted every four years since. Greece is renowned for serving as the host nation for the Athens 2004 Summer Olympics.
Greece and the marathon
The marathon is a long-distance running competition, we all know that, but what’s the story behind it? In 490 B.C., the Marathon was originally held to honor the Greek victory over the Persians at the Battle of Marathon. Since its founding in 1896, the modern marathon has been held in many places all around the world.
The greatness of Alexander The Great
One of the craziest Greek historical facts related to the illustrious Alexander the Great is that the Macedonian King made every effort to rule the entire world. And he did. His dominion reached a distance of more than 3,000 miles from Greece to India in just 13 short years.
From the end of the Mycenaean civilization, which was around 1200 BCE, to Alexander the Great’s death in 323 BCE, there was an unmatched impact on Western culture left by the Ancient Greeks’ political, intellectual, artistic, and scientific advances made during this time.
To sum up, Greece’s past is rich with fascinating tales and significant occasions that have influenced the modern world. Greece’s history is rich and varied, and it continues to arouse people’s interest around the world. From democracy and the Olympic Games to the Trojan War, to the most creepy tales, Greece’s history is nothing but captivating.
Travel to the country of legends, hospitality, and Mediterranean delicacies! Now with full baggage of interesting facts about Greece.
