History at The Paideia Institute

the sweat of ancient Greek and Roman athletes was sold as a prized commodity

The Sweat and Body Grime of Athletes was Prized by Ancient Greeks and Romans

In the end, godlike aspirations often met with all too human final moments.

The Divine Comedy of Roman Emperors’ Last Words

No engine? No problem! This is the story of the daring early days of rocket science.

Ancient astronauts and the very, very early Space Race

The Roman Colosseum is a giant, oval amphitheater built almost two thousand years ago. Despite its age and a 14th century earthquake that knocked down the south side of the colosseum, most of the 150-some foot building is still standing. Like many ancient Roman structures, parts of it were constructed using a specific type of concrete. Scientists and engineers have long suspected a key to these buildings' durability is their use of this Roman concrete. But exactly how this sturdy concrete has contributed to the architecture's strength has been a mystery to researchers across the globe.

Rome wasn't built in a day, but they sure had strong concrete

Going back as far as 3,500 years ago in ancient Greece, followers of a cult to the goddess Demeter participated in a secretive and profound religious ceremony during which they consumed a hallucinogenic drink. The rituals were meant to reenact the story of the goddess’ loss of her daughter to the god of the underworld, and their subsequent reunion.

Psychedelics in ancient Greece: Death and rebirth during a renowned religious ceremony

It has become fashionable to compare the United States’ current disarray to that of ancient Rome. The parallels are easy to make — both are powerful empires, nominally operating by the rule of the people, with hefty engineering and military might to back up their conquest. Harder to appreciate is the fact that what we imagine as “Rome” is often just one sliver of a 2,200-year-old history, lasting from approximately 753 BCE to 1453 CE, with the fall of Constantinople. If the United States is at risk of following the path of Rome’s fall, this nation-state of nearly 250 years has quite a bit further to go.

The Roman Empire Visualized in Infographics

An archaeological dig that began last summer for the start of the Appian Way has been stymied by ground water.

Ancient Roman Road’s Beginning Will Remain a Mystery for Now

An unexpected ancient manufacturing strategy may hold the key to designing concrete that lasts for millennia.

Riddle solved: Why was Roman concrete so durable?

DNA from a 2,500-year-old battlefield in Sicily reveals that mercenary soldiers were common, if not the Homeric ideal.

Hidden in 54 Corpses, a Revelation About Ancient Greece

Once local and irregular, time-keeping became universal and linear in 311 BCE. History would never be the same again

When time became regular and universal, it changed history – Paul J Kosmin | Essays