Tag: Greece

The Friend of Fortune (411 - 336 B.C.) TIMOLEWN by Plutarch Against heavy odds, but with the help of the gods, Timoleon took up where Dion had left off, and liberated Sicily from barbarians and tyrants. His courage and wisdom established peace and prosperity where before there had been desolation an...

From Plutarch's Lives, still inspirational after 19 centuries: 15 Ancient Greek Heroes from Plutarch's Lives Ploutarcou A modern English edition, abridged and annotated by Wilmot H. McCutchen Preface It's brief, so start here, then read these biographies in chronological order: Theseus The Athenian...

PLOUTARXOS (circa 45 - 125 A.D.) Priest of the Delphic Oracle Greece, by the turn of the first millenium, was a sad ruin of its former glory. Mighty Rome had looted its statues and reduced Greece to conquered territory. 1 Despite these circumstances, Mestrius Plutarchus (known to history as Plutarch...

If we explore the literature of Heroism, we shall quickly come to Plutarch, who is its Doctor and historian. ... I must think we are more deeply indebted to him than to all the ancient writers. Each of his "Lives" is a refutation to the despondency and cowardice of our religious and political theori...

Surviving Greek and Roman texts reveal the remarkable level of mathematical and engineering skill that went into the development of these early ballistic-missile launchers by Werner Soedel and Vernard Foley Scientific American, March 1979, pp. 150 - 160 Web version made available with additional dia...

Greece, a land of ancient wonders and vibrant culture, is a dream destination for kids of all ages. From exploring ancient ruins to sailing the turquoise waters of the Aegean Sea, Greece offers a plethora of exciting experiences for young adventurers. 1. Visit the Acropolis: Home to the Parthenon Th...

(all dates B.C.) circa 9000 Atlantis disappears. circa 1600 Island of Thera explodes, causing a tidal wave that inundates coastal settlements in the Aegean, and cripples the civilization of Crete. circa 1300 Theseus establishes the city of Athens. circa 1250 Troy falls to Agamemnon and his Greek a...

"The Just" (530 - 468 B.C.) ARISTEIDHS by Plutarch Aristides was so respected throughout Greece for his fairness that Athens assumed the leadership of the alliance against the Persian invaders. His character is a model for all ages. Aristides was a close friend of Cleisthenes, the man who had stampe...

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The Savior of Syracuse (409 - 354 B.C.) DIWN by Plutarch Sicily was an important part of the Greek world. Dion led the struggle against tyranny in its largest city, Syracuse. Ingratitude and betrayal were his reward for indulging the democrats of Syracuse. Dionysius [the Elder] 1 had become tyrant o...

The Freedom Fighter (410 - 364 B.C.) PELOPIDAS by Plutarch Pelopidas led the Thebans to recover their liberty, then he led them to victory over the invincible Spartans. From beginning to end, his was the life of a hero. Pelopidas, the son of Hippoclus, was born into a prominent family of Thebes. He ...

The Slave of Fear (died 413 B.C.) N I K I A S by Plutarch The turning point of the war with Sparta was the disastrous Sicilian Expedition, eagerly undertaken by the greedy Athenians. Superstitious old Nicias was their reluctant leader in this debacle. After the death of Pericles, the democracy of At...