Anna Wichmann

1 week ago | greekreporter.com | Anna Wichmann

Atalanta, a heroine from ancient Greek mythology, was known never to back down from a challenge. She was an incredibly skilled huntress and had immense strength and speed which could match that of the strongest and fastest of the Greek heroes. Much like many figures in Greek mythology, Atalanta has two different origin stories.

1 week ago | greekreporter.com | Anna Wichmann

The summer solstice, which occurs each year on June 21, marks the longest day of the year. In ancient times it was celebrated by many cultures around the world, including the Ancient GreeksIn fact, celebrations of the longest day of the year go all the way back to the Stone Age, and human beings have been organizing parties, dances, and festivals in honor of the event for millennia.

1 week ago | greekreporter.com | Anna Wichmann

Theano of Crotone, an ancient Greek philosopher and mathematician in her own right, is often referred to as the wife of Pythagoras. Many experts believe Theano, who lived in the 6th century BC, to be the first known woman mathematician, although some argue that she may actually be a composite figure of two separate women mathematicians. Unfortunately, not much is known about Theano’s life.

1 week ago | greekreporter.com | Anna Wichmann

An ancient Greek plant, now extinct, called Silphium, was used by the ancient Greeks and Romans for perfume, seasoning, medicine, and even contraception. It was one of the most sought-after goods in the ancient world. The plant was so useful that Julius Caesar himself was said to have a large stash of silphium on hand at all times. Silphium only grew in a narrow strip of land near the North African city of Cyrene in modern-day Libya and was essential to the city’s economy.

3 weeks ago | greekreporter.com | Anna Wichmann

Iris, the Greek goddess of the rainbow, also served as a messenger of the gods. Although now a little known member of the pantheon, Iris was a prominent figure in many ancient myths and is now even a character in Jack Riordan’s “Lightning Thief” book series. The Greek goddess was the daughter of Thaumas, whose name means “miracle” or “wonder” in Greek, an old and powerful sea god who was linked to the wonders of the sea, and Elektra, a sea-dwelling nymph.