Caesar Augustus and the Propaganda of Empire
The Roman Republic was born out of a rejection of monarchy. Since the Republic’s foundation in 509 BC, no word was hated in Rome as...
How Old is Göbekli Tepe & Why Is It Fascinating?
You might have heard the name “Göbekli Tepe” thrown around in recent years. And that's because this relatively recent archaeological discovery has raised more questions...
Who Is the Greek God of War?
The Greek god of war was called Ares. The Romans renamed him Mars, which is where the name of the month of March comes from....
What are the Wonders of the Ancient World?
The wonders of the ancient world were some of the grandest feats of mankind, achievements that stand as symbols of human ingenuity and perseverance. From...
Who is Medusa in Greek Mythology?
If you’re petrified of monsters, just wait until you hear about this one. Medusa, a prominent figure in ancient Greek mythology, gave the word “petrify”...
Who Was Achilles? The Myth of the Achilles Heel
You may not know much about the mythic hero Achilles, but you’ve certainly heard the idiom that uses his namesake: Achilles' heel. The expression refers...
10 Places Where You Can Visit a Roman Coliseum Outside of Rome
If you thought you needed to visit Rome to see a Roman coliseum, you thought wrong. While it’s true that the Colosseum (note the spelling)...
Trojan War: Myth vs. Fact
The Trojan War is one of those rare events that's equal parts myth and history. In fact, until the 19th century, it was regarded solely...
The Greek Architecture Guide
This article will survey some of the Greek architecture of the ancient and classical past. It will also explain the reasons why the highlighted structures...
Best Ancient History Books
In this article we recommend seven of the best ancient history books that are still extant and widely available. All of these texts are products...
Albany Institute of History and Art: Antiquities Highlights
Our coverage of museums, both big and small, aims to highlight collections that showcase the ancient and classical world. The museum in focus in this...
The Last Pharaoh: Caesarion, Son of Cleopatra
Caesarion was the love child of Cleopatra and Julius Caesar. And because of his two extremely famous parents, he could have perhaps gone on to...
The Three Periods of Ancient Greece
The three periods of ancient Greece produced countless famous names: Aristotle, Homer, Pythagoras, Leonidas, Cleopatra, Euclid, Socrates, Alexander the Great. Plato, this website’s namesake, is...
List of Greek Gods: An Introduction to the Pantheon
This list of Greek gods includes the Titans, the 12 great gods of Olympus, and some lesser Olympians. These gods are the oldest and, perhaps,...
3 Types of Greek Columns in Ancient Greek Architecture
There are three types of Greek columns that correspond to the Classical Orders of Architecture: Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian. And each type is still used...
Socrates on Democracy in Plato’s Republic
Democracy is, perhaps, the greatest invention of ancient Greece. Its meaning -- quite literally, power to the people -- has become the mantra of just...
Allegory of the Cave: Plato’s Cave Allegory Explained
Plato's allegory of the cave challenges readers to reconsider their understanding of reality. Its main point is simple: The things that you believe to be...