THEMISTOCLES THE STRATEGOS

                To win a war, you must have a good strategy and use good tactics. The Greek word “strategos” is the Greek word for “general”. Their word “taktos” meant “ordered or arranged”. We now use strategy to refer to the overall plan to win a war. Tactics refers to the Read more

THEMISTOCLES THE TRICKSTER

             Greek civilization passed on many achievements to Rome and then Western Civilization. Had the Persians won the Persian Wars, it is possible that we would not have the plays of Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripedes, and Aristophanes. We might not have all the teachings of Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle. Our civilization Read more

A TALE OF TWO PROPHECIES

            In 480 B.C., Athens learned that a huge Persian army and fleet were coming to get revenge for the Battle of Marathon. The chances of defeating the Persians were small. Many Greek city-states gave “earth and water” symbolizing surrendering to Persian control. It was that or be sacked. Some Read more