Professor Answers Ancient Greece Questions From Twitter | Tech Support | WIRED

Summary

Professor Paul Christensen enlightens viewers on Ancient Greece, debunking myths like constant nudity and discussing the accuracy of '300'. He covers topics from Alexander the Great's early death to the significance of the Acropolis and Greek temples' colors. Christensen also delves into Greek philosophy, their democratic practices, the original Olympics, and contributions like the alphabet. He addresses Greek diet, their understanding of the Earth's shape, and the concept of ostracism, providing a well-rounded view of Ancient Greek life and culture.

Takeaways

• 😀 Ancient Greeks did not commonly walk around naked; public nudity was primarily acceptable in gymnasiums, reflecting the cultural value placed on fitness and character.
• 🎭 The movie '300' offers a mix of historical accuracy and embellishment, highlighting Spartan military prowess while downplaying their oppressive practices.
• 🤔 The early death of Alexander the Great at 32 can be attributed to his numerous battle wounds, heavy drinking, and a fatal bout of malaria.
• 🗿 The Acropolis indeed housed a massive bronze statue of Athena, known as Athena Promachos, by the sculptor Phidias, challenging modern misconceptions of Greek temple color schemes.
• 🏛️ Ancient Greek temples were not just white; they were vibrantly painted with bright colors, a fact often overlooked due to the paint's deterioration over time.
• 👫 Greek society was open to extramarital and same-sex relationships, with certain age-based relationships between men and boys, or women and girls, being socially acceptable.
• 📜 Homer's 'Iliad' and 'Odyssey' are fundamental to understanding Ancient Greek thought and continue to pose universal questions about life, death, and heroism.
• 🔥 The Library of Alexandria, while not definitively destroyed by a single fire, was a significant repository of knowledge that gradually declined due to neglect.
• 🏺 The practice of placing a coin in the mouths of the deceased Greeks was a symbolic payment for the ferryman to cross the river into the underworld.
• 🏛️ Aristotle is highlighted as a preeminent Greek philosopher for his extensive contributions to knowledge across various disciplines and his influence on Alexander the Great.
• 🗳️ Athenian democracy, unlike modern representative systems, practiced direct democracy with citizens voting for themselves, though it excluded women, slaves, and non-citizens.
• 🏟️ The original Olympic Games were a significant cultural and religious event with a limited range of sports, and winners were honored with a laurel wreath from Zeus's sacred tree.
• 🔤 The Greeks' most impactful invention may be the alphabet, which included vowels and laid the foundation for modern literacy and communication.

Q & A

Did Ancient Greeks commonly walk around naked in public?

No, the Ancient Greeks did not walk around naked all the time. It was socially acceptable to be nude in public only in specific contexts such as the gymnasion, which means 'the nude place', where they exercised.

How historically accurate is the movie '300' in portraying Spartan culture?

The movie '300' is fairly accurate in many aspects, including the Spartans' treatment of a Persian ambassador and their military training. However, it embellishes and glorifies the Spartans, omitting the oppression and violence they used to control the helots.

What were the reasons behind Alexander the Great's early death at 32?

Alexander the Great died young due to a combination of factors: he had been wounded multiple times in battles, had serious alcohol issues, and his death was attributed to malaria, possibly exacerbated by his drinking habits and physical condition.

Was there a large outdoor statue of Athena in the Ancient Greek Acropolis as depicted in 'Assassin's Creed'?

Yes, there was a gigantic bronze statue of Athena called the Athena Promachos, created by the sculptor Phidias, which was located on the Acropolis.

What was the significance of the Ancient Greek practice of placing a coin in the mouth of the deceased?

The coin was placed in the mouth of the deceased to pay the ferryman, Charon, to cross the river into the underworld. Without this payment, it was believed that the soul would wander the Earth as an unhappy ghost.

How did the Ancient Greeks view marriage and extramarital relationships?

The Ancient Greeks were big on marriage, but it was also acceptable for men, and sometimes women, to have sexual relationships outside of marriage. They were particularly open to same-sex relationships where an older man would mentor a younger male.

Why are students often assigned to read Homer's 'Iliad' and 'Odyssey'?

Homer's works are important because they provide insights into Ancient Greek thought and culture, and they explore universal human questions about life, death, and the value of heroism and family.

What was the function of the Library of Alexandria and why was it significant?

The Library of Alexandria was a major center of scholarship and stored a vast collection of valuable books. It was significant because it was a hub for knowledge and cultural preservation, although modern scholarship suggests it didn't burn down in a single event but rather fell into disrepair.

How did Ancient Greece elect its leaders, and what was unique about their democratic process?

Ancient Greece, particularly Athens, practiced a form of direct democracy where citizens voted for themselves in the legislative assembly. They used a lottery system to select many leaders to prevent the wealthy from dominating the government.

What can we learn about the original Olympic Games from Ancient Greece?

The original Olympic Games were a significant event in Ancient Greece with a limited program of sports, a religious element, and a large stadium that could seat about 50,000 people. Winners were awarded with a branch from a sacred tree as a gift from Zeus.

What is considered the most significant invention by the Ancient Greeks?

The most significant invention by the Ancient Greeks is arguably the alphabet, which included vowels and made reading and writing easier, leading to mass literacy and influencing the development of the modern alphabet.