Galanthus nivalis, a flower that blooms in January and is native to Greece and the surrounding region. The Kosmos Society’s sponsoring institution, the Harvard University Center for Hellenic Studies, will be phasing out its support during the next two months such that by October 1, 2023, Kosmos will be fully independent of the Center. In practical terms, what this means is that you should watch this space for further information… Read more
Alexander saw that the campaign against the Gandaridae would not be easy, but he was not discouraged. He had confidence in the fighting qualities of his Macedonians, as well as in the oracles which he had received, and expected that he would be victorious. He remembered that the Pythia had called him “unconquerable,” and Ammon had given him the rule of the whole world. 17.93.4, tr. Oldfather For August we… Read more
It’s summer in the northern hemisphere, and for many regions there have been severe heatwaves. Even the Acropolis in Athens had to be closed to visitors in the hottest part of the day. And with the wildfires raging in many places we hope everyone is staying safe. So we wondered what we could find in the ancient Greek texts about summer. The ancient Greeks tried to explain the seasons; for… Read more
To accompany our July–August Book Club readings about Alexander the Great, here is a gallery of just a few of the many images, ancient and more modern, depicting Alexander. Plutarch, in his ‘Life of Alexander,’ says: The outward appearance of Alexander is best represented by the statues of him which Lysippus made, and it was by this artist alone that Alexander himself thought it fit that he should be modelled.… Read more
Alexander accomplished great things in a short space of time, and by his acumen and courage surpassed in the magnitude of his achievements all kings whose memory is recorded from the beginning of time. In twelve years he conquered no small part of Europe and practically all of Asia, and so acquired a fabulous reputation like that of the heroes and demigods of old. But there is really no need… Read more