The Earth is around 4.6 billion years old. Physical evidence of geological changes and the mineralized remains of living organisms (fossils), as well as material remains and artifacts of human societies, offer archaeologists important insights into the past.

The rich heritage of the Greek history spanning back four and a half thousand years has sown the harsh grounds around the Aegean with stones and artifacts that blossom for centuries.

This is a collection of thoughts, images and resources from Greek Archaeological sites intended as a reference for a scholar, and as an introduction to the students of Ancient Greece.

Archaeologists working under the auspices of Greece’s Ministry of Culture and Sports announced a spectacular discovery in January, which proved to be only one of many such fantastic ancient Greek archaeological discoveries in 2021.

Although ancient Greek Society was dominated by the male citizen, with his full legal status, right to vote, hold public office, and own property, the social groups which made up the population of a typical Greek city-state or polis were remarkably diverse. Women, children, immigrants (both Greek and foreign), labourers, and slaves all had defined roles, but there was interaction (often illicit) between the classes and there was also some movement between social groups, particularly for second-generation offspring and during times of stress such as wars.

In ancient Greece there was a strict social structure. People had a place in society and it was respected, although it hadn't always been that way. The Greek Dark Ages were between 1000 B.C.E. and about 800 B.C.E., during which time there was a lot of chaos and fighting. Like other ancient civilizations, the ancient Greeks had only two social classes during this time.

Olympic Games, athletic festival that originated in ancient Greece and was revived in the late 19th century. Before the 1970s the Games were officially limited to competitors with amateur status, but in the 1980s many events were opened to professional athletes. Currently, the Games are open to all, even the top professional athletes in basketball and football (soccer). The ancient Olympic Games included several of the sports that are now part of the Summer Games program, which at times has included events in as many as 32 different sports. In 1924 the Winter Games were sanctioned for winter sports. The Olympic Games have come to be regarded as the world’s foremost sports competition.

Oracle, (Latin oraculum from orare, “to pray,” or “to speak”), divine communication delivered in response to a petitioner’s request; also, the seat of prophecy itself. Oracles were a branch of divination but differed from the casual pronouncements of augurs by being associated with a definite person or place. For example, the oracles of Zeus originated at Dodona, Olympia, or Siwa; those of the Sibyl were in general circulation, but their provenance was unknown.

The ancient burial practices of the Greeks had distinct stages: the prothesis, the ekphora, and the deposition. At each stage, specific actions had to take place for the benefit of both the deceased, and, to a lesser extent, the remaining family members. This article will discuss what took place at each stage as well as some of the beliefs surrounding funerals.

History 101: Ancient Greece
From artistry to politics, ancient Greece left a considerable impression on world history. Learn why Greek and Roman gods share so many similarities, how the alphabet got its name, and how the legacy of ancient Greece has evolved over thousands of years.

Sparta, Modern Greek Spartí, historically Lacedaemon, ancient capital of the Laconia district of the southeastern Peloponnese, southwestern Greece. Along with the surrounding area, it forms the perifereiakí enótita (regional unit) of Laconia (Modern Greek: Lakonía) within the Peloponnese (Pelopónnisos) periféreia (region). The city lies on the right bank of the Evrótas Potamós (river). The sparsity of ruins from antiquity around the modern city reflects the austerity of the military oligarchy that ruled the Spartan city-state from the 6th to the 2nd century bce.

In the ancient Greek world, warfare was seen as a necessary evil of the human condition. Whether it be small frontier skirmishes between neighbouring city-states, lengthy city-sieges, civil wars, or large-scale battles between multi-alliance blocks on land and sea, the vast rewards of war could outweigh the costs in material and lives.

The ancient Greeks used a variety of weapons on the battlefield, each suited to a different purpose. Some were adopted as primary weapons, whereas others were carried into engagements as a backup.

Democracy, literally, rule by the people. The term is derived from the Greek dēmokratia, which was coined from dēmos (“people”) and kratos (“rule”) in the middle of the 5th century bce to denote the political systems then existing in some Greek city-states, notably Athens.