Did You Know? - All About The Ancient Greeks
- by XpatAthens
- Monday, 08 October 2018
From questioning who exactly is Homer to how women were viewed in society, these 6 things you (probably) didn't know about the Ancient Greeks are sure to rouse your curiosity. Paul Chrystal, author of The Ancient Greeks in 100 Facts, shares his wisdom with BBC History.
There may have been no Homer
Who was Homer? Controversay ensues whether or not Homer existed as a single, real, and identifiable poet. Nineteen different places, including Athens and Chios, claim Homer as their son, however the ancient city of Smyrna may have the most believable claim.
Men were thought to be more perfect than women
"Blood ‘clogging up the venous system’ in the breasts signified that the woman was going mad – a physiological ‘explanation’ for the age-old stereotype that women are naturally neurotic, erratic and unpredictable. Menstruation as a purging agent was, then, considered a good thing."
Different rules for women for different parts of Greece
"We know that in Delphi, Gortyn, Thessaly, Megara and Sparta, women were allowed to own land but, generally speaking, women had no legal or political status. Sparta, however, was another world; women played a vital role in keeping the Spartan war machine well-oiled and efficient. Generally, they enjoyed status, power, and respect that was unheard of in other parts of ancient Greece."
To read this article in full, please visit: History Extra