Ancient Greece

In this episode of History 102, WhatIfAltHist creator Rudyard Lynch and Erik Torenberg uncover the diverse and fascinating world of ancient Greek city-states, beyond Athens and Sparta, and their unique cultures. Discover the realities of ancient Greece beyond the myths, including its complex social structures, its role in philosophy, and its impact on the world. 🔥 Apply to join over 400 founders and Execs in the Turpentine Network: https://hmplogxqz0y.typeform.com/to/JCkphVqj -- RECOMMENDED PODCAST: 🎙️ This Won't Last - Eavesdrop on Keith Rabois, Kevin Ryan, Logan Bartlett, and Zach Weinberg's monthly backchannel. They unpack their hottest takes on the future of tech, business, venture, investing, and politics. Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1765665937 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2HwSNeVLL1MXy0RjFPyOSz YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ThisWontLastpodcast – SPONSOR: BABBEL | WorkOS 🌐 Ready to achieve your 2024 goals? Start learning a new language with Babbel in just three weeks. Enjoy app lessons, live classes, and podcasts designed for real-world conversations. Get up to 60% off at babbel.com/torenberg 💻 Building an enterprise-ready SaaS app? WorkOS has got you covered with easy-to-integrate APIs for SAML, SCIM, and more. Join top startups like Vercel, Perplexity, Jasper & Webflow in powering your app with WorkOS. Enjoy a free tier for up to 1M users! Start now at https://bit.ly/WorkOS-TCR This show is produced by Turpentine: a network of podcasts, newsletters, and more, covering technology, business, and culture — all from the perspective of industry insiders and experts. We’re launching new shows every week, and we’re looking for industry-leading sponsors — if you think that might be you and your company, email us at [email protected]. – FOLLOW ON X: @whatifalthist (Rudyard) @eriktorenberg (Erik) @TurpentineMedia TIMESTAMPS: (00:00) Introduction (02:30) The Geography Connection (09:04) Greek Dark Ages and Recovery (10:49) Greek Military and Democracy (13:46) Athens vs. Sparta (15:08) Sponsor: Babbel (36:00) Greco-Persian Wars (44:13) Peloponnesian Wars and Decline (48:42) Rise of Macedonia (51:30) The Philosophical Contributions of Aristotle (54:22) Misunderstandings and Underappreciated Aspects BOOKS MENTIONED: "The Ancient City" by Numa Denis Fustel de Coulanges "The Life of Greece" by Will Durant "Sailing the Wine-Dark Sea" by Thomas Cahill "Rise of the West" by McNeil "The Classical World" by Robin Lane Fox