Ancient Greek Drinking Games

Ancient Greek symposium in full swing.
Click to enlarge.

 

A professor of Greek and Roman history explains how to party like an Ancient Greek:

 

Very amusing; but I must tell you that Dr. Ryan's videos are usually more dignified and educational, such as this one:

 

He posts a new video every week, so check out his YouTube channel if you are antiquely inclined.

-----

Groovin' with the Greeks

Ancient Greek rocker auditioning for Athenian Idol

Have you ever wondered what ancient Greek music sounded like?  I did - but we were told in Music Appreciation 101, which I took at only a slightly later point in history, that it was impossible to know because (1) they had no tape recorders back then, and (2) they couldn't be arsed to write down the scores.  So I gave up wondering and focused my mind on more pressing mysteries, like modern poetry and passing that damn algebra class.

But it is a true saying that in the unending cycles of Time, all things old are new again, eventually.  Point 1 above remains true, so far as present knowledge goes, but Point 2 apparently was misinformation.

For lo and behold, now comes an Oxford professor who believes - nay, asserts unequivocally - that here at the end of all the ages, he has unlocked the musical sounds of antiquity for us to enjoy.  And perhaps he has.  Here is a truly fascinating video he made recently that will give you an earful of ancient Greek chart-toppers:



I am no musician, so in my ignorance, I dare not presume to comment on the technical aspects of this rediscovered music. But no doubt it will soon be heard on American Top 40, and why not? Sounds no worse than the other stuff the younger generation dotes on these days. I can't wait till Ancient Greece: The Musical arrives on Broadway. With roller skates and laser lights, no doubt.

Rockin' out!

Apparently some kind of bagpipe player with a rather peculiar tether string

Won't you take me to Funky Town?

Party dude came home singing from the drinking contest, helped by his handy servant boy who holds up an empty wine jug for Papi to pee in.
I'm not making this up.

Old goat making his move on a handsome flute player -
"Here, let me teach you how to blow it."

What I'm Watching: Who Were the Greeks?

Dr. Michael Scott, classics professor at the University of Warwick in England, wrote and narrates this excellent BBC documentary covering many aspects of ancient Greek life and society, the ultimate source of our own civil culture. If you are into this sort of thing, you can search around on YouTube for several other documentaries the studly Dr. Scott has done for the BBC.

The Antikythera Mechanism

Them ol' Greek boys were a lot smarter than you ever thought. I tell you what.

Archimedes' Secret