In the history of ancient Greece, the Archaic period is usually dated to between ca. 800 and 500 BC. Often, the date is extended down to around 480 BC Some authors hold that the Archaic period proper starts with the first supposedly historic event, the Olympic Games of 776 BC. Others have the Archaic period start at around 700 BC.
A Cypriot chariot in Amsterdam
The Allard Pierson Museum in Amsterdam features a reconstruction of a chariot found in a tomb on the island of Cyprus.
How Corinthian is the Corinthian helmet?
The best known type of Greek helmet is known as “Corinthian”. Is this because there is incontrovertible evidence that ancient Corinth was the place where this type of helmet was first invented?
The Athenian tyrant-killers
A statue group currently in Naples serves as the start of a brief discussion of tyranny in ancient Athens.
Greeks bearing arms
A brief look at a depiction of an armed youth on the inside of a beautiful red-figure cup from Rhodes.
The hoplite’s “hoplon”
The typical Greek word for shield was not hoplon, and the hoplite is therefore not named after it. Yet, the myth persists.
The Minotaur
The Minotaur, a half-bull creature, is perhaps the best-known element of the myths surrounding Theseus.
Democracy (2015)
A well-made graphic novel set in Classical Athens, following the adventures of the fictional Leander.
Swords in ancient Greece
A look at ancient Greek swords, with particular reference to blades from the Archaic and Classical periods.
A Cypriot chariot
The British Museum has many interesting objects from Cyprus, such as this jug depicting a chariot.
The shield of Achilles
The description of Achilles’ shield in the Iliad tells us much about what Homer’s views might have been on warfare and violence.