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.
Dionysius the Phocaean
An Archaic pirate
Even though the ancient Mediterranean was rife with piracy, relatively few pirates are known to us by name.
A warrior on a red-figure cup
The collection of the Allard Pierson Museum includes this beautiful red-figure cup with a picture of a warrior.
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.