Ancient cultures had diverse and often unexpected attitudes towards cats. While the Egyptians famously revered these enigmatic creatures, both the Greeks and the Romans held more practical—and sometimes humorous—views. If you’re a cat lover with a penchant for ancient languages, prepare to be charmed by a journey into how feline lore meets linguistic elegance.
Romans and Greeks talk cats
Future-Proof: When the Family Business is Divination
Teiresias depicted on an Apulian Calyx Krater, attributed to the Darius Painter, 350-300 BC (Boston, Museum of Fine Arts). While modern scepticism might label divination as superstition, in the ancient Greek world it was a serious and highly respected practice—particularly when political or military decisions were at stake. Seers were not mere fortune-tellers but trained […]
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Time Travelling Through the Equinox
A page from a handwritten draft of Newton’s Principia. Twice a year, the sun appears to pause in its path across the sky—day and night balance, and a subtle shift in the seasons begins. For the ancients, these moments held agricultural, ritual, and philosophical significance. But beyond observation came the question: why do these celestial patterns […]
Are you celebrating the Ludi Romani?
Every September the Romans celebrated the Ludi Romani, one of their most ancient and important festivals. Held in honour of Jupiter, the games, also known as the Ludi Magni, coincided with the anniversary of the dedication of the Capitoline Temple of Jupiter Optimus Maximus on the Ides (13th) of September 509 BCE.
Etymology corner: solstice
For our last blog post of 2023, we wanted to bring you something diverting to read on the longest night of the year. We don’t pretend to be experts on the etymology of the word ‘solstice’, but we enjoyed finding out what we’ve included here; if anyone knows more about it, we would love to […]