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 […]
Μικρόν: A Tiny Word with a Colossal Impact
By Eugenia Manolidou There are certain words that I call door-openers. One of the most common ones is the word “micro” – in Greek µικρόν (pron.“micrón” meaning small). «Μικρόν» is indeed one of these words that open the door to a world of concepts, innovations, and discoveries. Despite its size, it plays a colossal role […]
From Philologists to Logophiles | Tracing the roots of “Philo”
Let’s explore the linguistic treasures of Ancient Greek with the University of Athens e-learning Course Classical Greek Level A. Today, we will discover the essence of love and friendship encapsulated in the small yet powerful word, “φιλῶ” (philó), meaning “to love”. In the vast world of Greek vocabulary, “φιλῶ” resonates profoundly, embodying not just individual […]
Φιλῶ: A four letter word worth repeating.
By Eugenia Manolidou In the vast cosmos of the Greek language, there’s this tiny but super ancient word, «Φιλῶ» (philó), that is all about love and friendship. It is not just about romantic love; it also covers the whole vibe of “philía” which embraces the idea of friendship and togetherness. This little word, «φιλῶ» is […]
Greeking Out On Automagic
By Eugenia Manolidou, In the labyrinth of the Greek language, there exists a powerful, almost magical word that has woven its way into countless languages and cultures… and it’s not one you might have ‘automatically’ known is Greek! It is the word «Aὐτόµατον» (automaton), pronounced in Greek as “aftómaton,”but it also goes by the nickname […]
Celebrating the International Greek Language Day
«Εἰ θεοὶ διαλέγονται τῇ τῶν Ἑλλήνων γλώττῃ χρῶνται» – “If the Gods speak, they will surely use the language of the Greeks,” Κικέρων – Cicero Today, on the International Greek Language Day, we celebrate not just a linguistic tradition but a cultural cornerstone that has shaped civilizations for millennia. The words of Cicero, “If […]
Stargazing Through Time: Unveiling the Cosmic Influence of Classical Greek
In our modern world, where technology and education intersect, there’s no better time to delve into the roots of our linguistic and cultural heritage. Embracing the timeless wisdom and beauty of Classical Greek not only enriches our understanding of the past but also illuminates the present. As we explore the celestial wonders that have captivated […]