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Classics Rock Star

by on October 23, 2020

NB**Today is the LAST DAY you can get tickets to our Inaugural Symposium, as well as all the recordings of the event…You can get the Two Day Pass for only $22.50 (that’s less than 2 movie tickets!) See below for details.
You will want to watch because we have a genuine Rock Star of the Classics World presenting this weekend… a brilliant classicist and storyteller who will be discussing Philosophers, Kings and Philosopher Kings.**
Symposium Spotlight: James S Romm

Ancient Agora

by on October 23, 2020

Written by Ed Whalen, Contributing Writer, Classical Wisdom

The ancient Agora of Athens is one of the most influential archaeological sites and says a lot about the life of the Greeks. ‘Agora’ literally meaning ‘a place of gathering.’ It was a marketplace where every Athenian citizen participated in governance, overlooked judicial matters, traded commodities, exchanged ideas, or worked together to build the most dynamic society in the world.

In fact, the Agora of Athens is the birthplace of democracy. It is at this place that brilliant minds like Aristotle and Socrates gained popularity, taught their disciples, and eventually died.

Agora

An imaginary depiction of the Agora of ancient Athens at the time of Pericles.

For centuries, this area served as a common ground for merchants, artisans, politicians, and intellectuals. It was considered an honor to participate in such ‘common activities’ that led to the development of society. (A quick fact: the term ‘idiot’ or idiotis, was coined to mock people who avoided participating in such common activities.)

A Short History of Wine

by on October 21, 2020

Written by Lydia Serrant, Contributing Writer, Classical Wisdom

What is believed to be the first winery in the world was recently found in a cave in Vayots Dzor, Armenia, and dates back to around 6100 BC. It currently holds the title as the oldest-known winery (also, fun fact, it is home of the worlds oldest leather shoe).

It is believed that the Armenians were the first to use the barefoot method of winemaking, but there is evidence of wine production in China as far back as 7000 BC. Wherever it started, there is no doubt that the love affair between humans and wine is a long one. Wine has a very complex and interesting history with nations, consumers, and individuals who pioneered the spread of wine and wine cultivation.

Baccus by Caravaggio (1596-97)

The Rise of Wine

Do we NEED to hear Opinions we don’t like?

by on October 19, 2020

I’m going to start off today’s mailbag with a Dare.
Whatever side of the political spectrum you happen to find yourself…next time you are watching the News, I dare you to watch your opposing side’s channel for at least 5 minutes.
If you get your current events from CNN or MSNBC, for example, switch on Fox News or click on the New York Post. If you read the Washington Times, then check out the Washington Post. Apply this to whatever local outlet in whichever country you find yourself!
That doesn’t sound too tricky, I hear you say… but there’s a catch…

Do Philosopher Queens Exist?

by on October 17, 2020

You know how it goes… all ancient men hated women. Right?
And Socrates… well, he was a terrible husband. So surely that means he wouldn’t have anything nice to say about the ‘fairer’ sex.
And then, there is the Woman Question...
It’s a scene in Plato’s Republic…. The debate between Glaucon and Socrates is over what women’s nature, role, and political position in the human community is or ought to be.

Five Surprisingly Ancient Inventions from Greece and Rome

by on October 16, 2020

Written by Lydia Serrant, Contributing Writer, Classical Wisdom

Robots, computers, showers and vending machines? Believe it or not, this article does indeed belong on Classical Wisdom instead of a publication like Modern Magazine! Here’s why…

Ever since the worlds first known analogue computer – the famous Antikythera mechanism – emerged from an ancient Greek shipwreck in 1901, historians have been trying to come to terms with the fact that ancient technological knowledge was far more advanced than previously thought.

The mechanism was first believed to be nothing more than a lump of rock. In 2012, it was revealed to be a complex system of cogs that could perform more calculations than a Swiss watch.