Classical Studies of made of Silk
by Eugenia Manolidou The first World Congress of Classical Studies, held in Beijing from November 6 to 8, 2024, brought together professors and academics to discuss the relevance of ancient wisdom in a rapidly evolving world. However, beyond academic debates, the conference unveiled something deeper: China’s determination to establish its own classical identity. In the […]
The Urgent Need to Change the Methodology for Teaching Ancient Greek
By Eugenia Manolidou In his article on September 7, 2024, in the newspaper TA NEA titled “Should Ancient Greek be taught from middle school?” Professor Thanos Veremis raises a critical question: How can we strengthen the ties of the Greek language to its ancient sources? The professor emphasizes that Greek is the living thread connecting […]
Greek Lessons for … a Nobel Prize!
By Eugenia Manolidou The Nobel Prize in Literature is awarded each year to an author whose work has made a profound contribution to literature, encompassing writings that deeply resonate with readers and offer new perspectives on the human experience. Recently, the Swedish Academy honored Han Kang, a writer from South Korea, for her “intensely poetic […]
Ancient Greek: Passing the baton
ελληνική γλώσσα, με συνεχή παρουσία πάνω από 3.000 χρόνια, είναι το νήμα που υφαίνει την ιστορία μας, η σκυτάλη που αδιάκοπα παραδίδεται από γενιά σε γενιά, η φωνή που αντηχεί στους αιώνες. Από τα ομηρικά έπη μέχρι τη σύγχρονη λογοτεχνία, η ελληνική γλώσσα φέρει μέσα της τον πολιτισμό, τη φιλοσοφία και την πνευματική κληρονομιά που διαμόρφωσε τον δυτικό κόσμο και συνεχίζει να τον διαμορφώνει μέσω των εφευρέσεων και της τεχνολογίας.
The Importance of Methodology in the Teaching of Ancient Greek
by Eugenia Manolidou The word “method” finds its roots in the rich soil of the Greek language; it derives from the word “méthodos” (μέθοδος). This term originally meant “pursuit” or “a following after,” combining the prefix “meta” (μετά), meaning “in pursuit or quest of,” with “hodos” (ὁδός), which translates to “a path, track, road,” or […]
Teaching Ancient Greek Philosophy as a Tool for Reducing School Violence
Teaching Ancient Greek Philosophy as a Tool for Reducing School Violence by Eugenia Manolidou The initiative to teach Ancient Greek Philosophy in a public elementary school in Belfast is a shining example for modern education. It highlights the timeless and universal value of ancient Greek education, offering a wonderful and effective way to combat violence […]
From «Αὐτόματον» to Automation | The Ancient Greek Roots of Modern Technology
Within the extensive vocabulary of Ancient Greek, the term «Αὐτόματον» emerges as a significant word whose influence permeates a myriad of languages and cultures, thus illustrating the enduring legacy of Greek etymology in contemporary society. This term, colloquially abbreviated to “auto”, represents a fundamental concept in the understanding of mechanisms that dominate our technological landscape. […]
Χάος: A Word as Old as Time
By Eugenia Manolidou Hey there, Classical Kids! Did you know that the word “chaos,” in Greek «χάος» (pron. “háos”), is as old as time itself? It’s true! In fact, the earliest mention of chaos comes from the Greek poet Hesiod (8th B.C.). His work “Theogony” begins with: “First there was Chaos,” and described how everything […]
Ἆθλος: Let’s get physical!
By Eugenia Manolidou This week, I thought we should “get physical” and explore the world of sports and athletics, by uncovering origins of terms like “athletes,” “gym,” and “stadium” that still exist in our everyday language, with roots traced all the way back to Ancient Greece. Ἆθλος (pronounced áthlos, meaning contest or feat), is a […]
From Nano to Tera – Size Matters!
By Eugenia Manolidou Ever wondered how we measure things, from the tiniest speck to the grandest of ideas? Time to explore the world of prefixes, those special beginnings of words that tell us about size and scale! Nano, from the Greek word «νάνος» (pronounced: nános) meaning dwarf or very small, nano helps us talk about […]