Graeco-Roman

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Alcetas

October 23, 2022

Alcetas (Alketas). Younger brother of Perdiccas (J 13.6.15; D 18.29.2; ASucc 1.21), hence probably also a son of Orontes of Orestes (cf. A 3.11.9; 6.28.4; AInd 18.5); possibly of Argead descent (C 10.7.8).30 Born ca. 355, he succeeded Perdiccas as taxiarch of the Lyncestians and Orestians, perhaps as early as 331/0, though Perdiccas retained nominal command of the taxis (cf. A 3.18.5). In 327 he campaigned with Craterus, Polyperchon, and Attalus in Paraetacene (A 4.22.1; cf. C 8.5.2), receiving the news of the abortive attempt to introduce proskynesis and the conspiracy of Hermolaus in a letter from Alexander (PA 55.6). During the Swat campaign of 327, Alcetas, Attalus, and Demetrius the hipparch attacked the town of Ora, while Coenus was besieging Bazira = Bir-Kot (A 4.27.5–6); the honor of taking the town appears to have been reserved for the King himself (A 4.27.9).31 At the Hydaspes Alcetas’ battalion, along with that of Polyperchon, remained in the main camp under

Lycurgus (Spartan Lawgiver) by Marcus Niebuhr Tod

March 25, 2022

Caption: Lycurgus marble bas-relief, one of 23 reliefs of great historical lawgivers in the chamber of the U.S. House of Representatives in the United States Capitol. Sculpted by C. Paul Jennewein in 1950. Diameter 28 inches. In Greek history, the reputed founder of the Spartan constitution. Plutarch opens his biography of Lycurgus with these words: “About Lycurgus the lawgiver it is not possible to make a single statement that is not called in question. His genealogy, his travels, his death, above all, his legislative and constitutional activity have been variously recorded, and there is the greatest difference of opinion as to his date.” Nor has modern historical criticism arrived at any certain results. Many scholars, indeed, suppose him to be in reality a god or hero, appealing to the existence of a temple and cult of Lycurgus at Sparta as early as the time of Herodotus, (i. 66), and to the words of the Delphic oracle (Herod. i. 65)— δίζω ἤ σε θεὸν μαντεύσομαι ἤ ἄνθρω

AHHIYAWA

February 06, 2022

Fig 1. Homeric depiction of the . Few topics have aroused greater controversy than the identity and location of this land. In the 1920s Emil Forrer equated Ahhiyawa with the Homeric Achaia, observing that Homer refers not to Greeks but to Achaeans. His view attracted both supporters and skeptics. Locations for Ahhiyawa have been proposed for the western mainland of Anatolia, the Aegean islands, Thrace and the mainland of Mycenaean Greece. In fact most specialists have envisaged its extending over more than one of these. The least plausible location would be entirely on the Anatolian mainland. With the title of “Great King” for the rulers of Ahhiyawa, it cannot have covered only a very restricted area; and western Anatolia now appears fully occupied by the various components of Arzawa, before and after its division by Mursili II. Likewise a carefully argued case for locating Ahhiyawa as an island realm with a narrow coastal strip on the Anatolian mainland from Mi

Julius Nepos

December 11, 2021

Copyright (C) 1998, Ralph W. Mathisen. After the death of Anthemius (467-472), not to mention that of Olybrius (472), the aging eastern emperor http://orb.rhodes.edu/encyclop/early/De_Imp/leo1.htm">Leo would have viewed himself once again as sole emperor, with the right to select a new emperor in the west. Initially, he seems not to have made any effort to name a western colleague, perhaps being forestalled by the example of what had happened to Anthemius and by not having a suitable candidate of his own. In 473, however, he decided to take action after the Patrician Gundobad raised Glycerius, the Count of the Domestics, to the purple in March. John of Antioch noted, "When Leo, the emperor of the east, learned of the election of Glycerius, he appointed Nepos as general of an expedition against him" (fr.209.2: Gordon trans., p.122). Leo must have dithered for some time before doing so, because by the time the decision was made the approaching winter had cl

Theodosius I The Great

June 21, 2021

Theodosius is one of the sovereigns by universal consent called Great. He stamped out the last vestiges of paganism, put an end to the Arian heresy in the empire, pacified the Goths, left a famous example of penitence for a crime, and reigned as a just and mighty Catholic emperor. His father, the Comes Theodosius, was a distinguished general; both he and the mother Thermantia were Catholics at a time when Arianism was at its strongest. Theodosius the son distinguished himself in the army, was made Dux of Moesia, defeated the Sarmatians (Ammianus Marcellinus, XXIX, 6); then, when an intrigue brought about the disgrace and execution of his father (376) he retired to his own property in Spain. But his reputation was not forgotten. The Emperor Gratian (375-383) after the death of Valens (378) took Theodosius from private life and made him his fellow-emperor (Augustus) for the East (January 19, 379). He was already married to "Elea Flacilla, by whom he had two sons, Arcadiu

Byzantium

March 12, 2021

Topographical map of Constantinople during the Byzantine period, by Cplakidas via Wikimedia Byzantium was a Greek city located on the western side of the Bosporus, one of the straits* that separates Europe from Asia Minor. The city had great strategic importance because it was situated on a hilly, triangular-shaped peninsula and had natural protection against attack. Its large, well-protected natural harbor, known as the Golden Horn, provided a secure location for ships. Its location at the crossroads of Europe and Asia made the city an important center of trade. In late Roman times, Byzantium became the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire (later known as the Byzantine Empire) and the name of the city was changed to Constantinople. Byzantium was founded in the 600s B.C. by Greeks from the city of Megara. According to tradition, it was named after its legendary founder, Byzas. Before setting sail from Megara, Byzas asked an oracle where he should establish a new colony. The

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