Tag Archives: Ancient Greek and Roman tradition

Rituals, Temples and Worship in the Ancient World

Written by Ben Potter, Contributing Writer, Classical Wisdom The importance of rituals and temples in the ancient world are hard to clearly differentiate from worship. At first glance this might seen a little odd to the modern reader. These days, it seems perfectly normal for a disinterested secularist to wander around the great cathedrals of the

Written on April 7, 2021 at 8:00 am, by Ben Potter

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Categories: Traditions

Tags: Ancient Greek and Roman tradition, belief, devotion, ritual, sacrifice, temple, worship

Flora, Goddess of Spring, and Her Festival Floralia

Written by Ed Whalen, Contributing Writer, Classical Wisdom Many ancient civilizations had fertility goddesses that played a crucial role in their religion. Rome was no exception. Perhaps the best-known fertility goddess in ancient Italy was Flora. She was an exceedingly popular goddess and every year a major festival, the Floralia, was held in her honor.

Written on April 2, 2021 at 8:14 am, by Whelan

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Categories: Gods

Tags: ancient fertility, Ancient Greek and Roman tradition, Flora, Floralia, Roman goddess, Spring

Roman Pantheon: A Gigantic Sundial?

Written by Ed Whalen, Contributing Writer, Classical Wisdom The Romans were great builders and are still revered as great engineers. One of the greatest buildings they constructed was the Pantheon. A new theory argues that the building was designed to act as a sundial during the Spring Equinox, which falls between March 19 and 21.

Written on March 19, 2021 at 8:22 am, by Whelan

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Categories: Architecture

Tags: Ancient Greek and Roman tradition, architecture, astronomy, Augustus, engineering, Parthenon, Politics, Rome

Book Review: “How to Tell a Joke,” By Michael Fontaine

Written by Ben Potter, Contributing Writer, Classical Wisdom As Michael Fontaine’s latest book How to Tell a Joke: An Ancient Guide to the Art of Humor comes hot on the heels of his fascinating How to Drink: A Classical Guide to the Art of Imbibing, one might reasonably expect the Cornell professor’s next installment to

Written on March 17, 2021 at 8:38 am, by Ben Potter

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Categories: Culture

Tags: Ancient Greek and Roman tradition, Cicero, humor

Volcanoes in the Ancient World: Cataclysm and Change

Written by Ed Whalen, Contributing Writer, Classical Wisdom Volcanic eruptions have had a devastating impact on pre-industrial societies such as the ancient Greeks and Romans. Volcanoes have in fact changed history. Some of the most important eruptions in the history of the Classical world are discussed below. Theran Eruption and the End of Minoan Civilization

Written on March 5, 2021 at 8:30 am, by Whelan

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Categories: Science

Tags: Ancient Greece, Ancient Greek and Roman tradition, Ancient Greek history, ancient history, Cleopatra, Climate, Egypt, Minoans, Politics, volcano, volcanoes

Philo of Alexandria, Jewish Philosopher

Written by Ed Whalen, Contributing Writer, Classical Wisdom Many ancient societies were deeply influenced by Graeco-Roman Civilization, including early Judaic culture. The exchange between them produced important thinkers in Judaism, among them the philosopher Philo. He is perhaps the most important representative of Hellenistic Judaism whose works had a decisive influence on later Christian thinkers.

Written on February 23, 2021 at 2:27 pm, by Whelan

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Categories: Philosophers

Tags: Ancient Greek and Roman tradition, Ancient Philosophy, Bible, Christianity, Early Christianity, Jewish tradition, Judaism, Philosophy, Plato