"In the Homeric times, the Greeks used a belt for the sword, and another for the shield. These passed over the shoulders and crossed upon the breast. The shield-belt lay over the other, and was the larger and broader of the two. This mode of carrying the shield was subsequently laid aside, on account of its inconvenience. The later method is shown." — Anthon, 1891

Greek with shield

"In the Homeric times, the Greeks used a belt for the sword, and another for the shield. These passed…

A woman kneeling by a column, with several articles of pottery nearby.

Greek woman

A woman kneeling by a column, with several articles of pottery nearby.

A group of ancient Greek around a stone table.

Gathering of Greeks

A group of ancient Greek around a stone table.

"Griffin, from a Greek Sarcophagus. GRIFFIN. In mythology, an imaginary animal supposed to be generated between the lion and the eagle, and to combine the head, front, and wings of an eagle with the body and hind quarters of a lion." -Whitney, 1911

Griffin

"Griffin, from a Greek Sarcophagus. GRIFFIN. In mythology, an imaginary animal supposed to be generated…

The Greek Griffin is associated with Antiquity and fire, usually appears on Candelabras and friezes. The Griffin has the body of a Lion and the head and wings of an Eagle.

Greek Griffin

The Greek Griffin is associated with Antiquity and fire, usually appears on Candelabras and friezes.…

"The griffin is a monster with the body of a lion, the head and wings of an eagle, and back covered with feathers." —Bulfinch, 1897

Gryphon

"The griffin is a monster with the body of a lion, the head and wings of an eagle, and back covered…

"The mode of platting the hair, and then fastening it with a pin on a needle, is shown in the annexed figure of a female head, taken from a marble group which was found at Apt, in the south of France." — Anthon, 1891

Platted hair

"The mode of platting the hair, and then fastening it with a pin on a needle, is shown in the annexed…

"These were disgusting birds, with the heads of maidens, with long claws and faces pale with hunger. They were sent by the gods to torment a certain Phineus." —Bulfinch, 1897

Harpies

"These were disgusting birds, with the heads of maidens, with long claws and faces pale with hunger.…

"When once the mortal part of him has perished, Juno lays aside her enmity and marries him to Hebe, her own daughter and the embodiment of youth." —Bulfinch, 1897

Hebe

"When once the mortal part of him has perished, Juno lays aside her enmity and marries him to Hebe,…

"He promised her marriage, and as they stood before the alter of Hecate, called the goddess to witness his oath." —Bulfinch, 1897

Hecate

"He promised her marriage, and as they stood before the alter of Hecate, called the goddess to witness…

A depiction of the mythological combat between Achilles and Hector.

Combat Between Achilles and Hector

A depiction of the mythological combat between Achilles and Hector.

"Helios the Sun-God." —Bulfinch, 1897

Helios

"Helios the Sun-God." —Bulfinch, 1897

"The Sun-god." —Bulfinch, 1897

Helios or sol

"The Sun-god." —Bulfinch, 1897

""The crested Achilles was pressing on in his chariot." Some idea of the ancient crests may be formed from the following woodcuts, selected from ancient gems." — Anthon, 1891

Crested helmets

""The crested Achilles was pressing on in his chariot." Some idea of the ancient crests may be formed…

"In the following we have back and front views of the heads of statues from Herculaneum, on which we perceive the <em>vitta</em>." &mdash; Anthon, 1891

Herculaneum

"In the following we have back and front views of the heads of statues from Herculaneum, on which we…

"Hercules descended into Hades, accompanied by Mercury and Minerva. He obtained permission from Pluto to carry Cerberus to the upper air provided he could do it without the use of weapons; and in spite of the monster's struggling, he seized him, held him fast, and carried him to Eurystheus, and afterward brought him back again." &mdash;Bulfinch, 1897

Hercules and Cerberus

"Hercules descended into Hades, accompanied by Mercury and Minerva. He obtained permission from Pluto…

"Hercules, a Theban prince, was another of the descendants of Pelops. The numerous and extraordinary feats of strength and valor of Hercules excited the admiration of his contemporaries, and, being afterwards exaggerated and embellished by poets, caused him at length to be regarded as a person endowed with supernatual powers, and even to be worshipped as a god." &mdash; Goodrich, 1844

Young Hercules

"Hercules, a Theban prince, was another of the descendants of Pelops. The numerous and extraordinary…

A sculpture with a head or torso above a plain lower section.

An Archaic Herm

A sculpture with a head or torso above a plain lower section.

Statue of Hermes (Mercury).

Hermes

Statue of Hermes (Mercury).

The messenger of the gods in Greek mythology.

Hermes

The messenger of the gods in Greek mythology.

"The first writer who deserves the name of a historian is Herodotus, hence called the Father of History. Herodotus was born in the Dorian colony of Halicarnassus in Caria, in the year 484 B.C., and accordingly about the time of the Persian expeditions to Greece." &mdash; Smith, 1882

Bust of Herodotus

"The first writer who deserves the name of a historian is Herodotus, hence called the Father of History.…

Herodotus of Halicarnassus was a Greek historian who lived in the 5th century BC (c. 484 BC&ndash;c. 425 BC) and is regarded as the "Father of History" in Western culture. He was the first historian to collect his materials systematically, test their accuracy to a certain extent and arrange them in a well-constructed and vivid narrative.

Profile Bust of Herodotus

Herodotus of Halicarnassus was a Greek historian who lived in the 5th century BC (c. 484 BC–c.…

"The Greeks and Romans used hinges exactly like those now in common use. The following cut exhibits four Roman hinges of bronze, now preserved in the British Museum." &mdash; Anthon, 1891

Roman hinges

"The Greeks and Romans used hinges exactly like those now in common use. The following cut exhibits…

Famous physician from ancient Greece.

Hippocrates

Famous physician from ancient Greece.

An ancient greek epic poet, believed to have written The Illiad and The Odyssey.

Homer

An ancient greek epic poet, believed to have written The Illiad and The Odyssey.

"Of the Homeric poems the Iliad and the Odyssey were the most distinguished and have alone come down to us. The subject of the Iliad was the exploits of Achilles and of the other Grecian heroes before Ilium or Troy, that of the Odyssey was the wanderings and adventures of Odysseus or Ulysses after the capture of Troy on his return to his native island." &mdash; Smith, 1882

Bust of Homer

"Of the Homeric poems the Iliad and the Odyssey were the most distinguished and have alone come down…

Homer is traditionally held to be the author of the ancient Greek epic poems the Iliad and the Odyssey, as well as of the Homeric Hymns. Today the hymns are considered to be later works but many still regard Homer as the author or compiler of the epics.

Bust of Homer

Homer is traditionally held to be the author of the ancient Greek epic poems the Iliad and the Odyssey,…

A citizen-soldier of Ancient Greece.

Hoplite

A citizen-soldier of Ancient Greece.

From an archaic Greek vase, a picture of horses and chariots.

Aryan Speaking People, Horses and Chariots

From an archaic Greek vase, a picture of horses and chariots.

"The horse-race." &mdash; Smith, 1882

Horse-race

"The horse-race." — Smith, 1882

"In the evening Aurora came, accompanied by the Hours and the Pleiades, and wept and lamented over her son." &mdash;Bulfinch, 1897

The Hours

"In the evening Aurora came, accompanied by the Hours and the Pleiades, and wept and lamented over her…

"Greek Hydra, Good Style." &mdash; Encyclopedia Britanica, 1893

Hydra

"Greek Hydra, Good Style." — Encyclopedia Britanica, 1893

"Water jaw, <em>Hydria</em>" &mdash; The Delphian Society, 1913

Hydria

"Water jaw, Hydria" — The Delphian Society, 1913

"Water-jaw, <em>Hydria</em>." &mdash; The Delphian Society, 1913

Hydria

"Water-jaw, Hydria." — The Delphian Society, 1913

A hydria is a type of Greek pottery used for carrying water. The hydria has three handles. Two horizontal handles on either side of the body of the pot were used for lifting and carrying the pot. The third handle, a vertical one, located in the center of the other two handles, was used when pouring water. This water vessel can be found in both the red and black figure pottery styles. They often depicted scenes of Greek mythology, that reflected moral and social obligations.

Hydria

A hydria is a type of Greek pottery used for carrying water. The hydria has three handles. Two horizontal…

This is a decoration of the neck of a Greek Hydria.

Greek Hydria

This is a decoration of the neck of a Greek Hydria.

The Greek Hydria is used as a water-pot to carry water with from springs. Maidens carried it on their heads vertically when full and horizontally when empty.

Greek Hydria

The Greek Hydria is used as a water-pot to carry water with from springs. Maidens carried it on their…

This Greek Hydria has a Kalpis form that is smooth and painted in black and red figures on the shoulder. It is used as a water-pot to carry water from springs.

Greek Hydria

This Greek Hydria has a Kalpis form that is smooth and painted in black and red figures on the shoulder.…

This Greek Hydria is painted in black, reddish brown and white. Decorated of the highest class, the shoulder is decorated with an ivy band. It is used as a water-pot to carry water.

Greek Hydria

This Greek Hydria is painted in black, reddish brown and white. Decorated of the highest class, the…

"Hygea and Aesculapius." &mdash;Bulfinch, 1897

Hygea and Aesculapius

"Hygea and Aesculapius." —Bulfinch, 1897

"In the classical mythology, the goddess of Health- the daughter of Aesculapius. She was worshipped at Athens, Corinth, Argos, and other important cities, and in works of art is usually represented as a blooming virgin, with a snake, the symbol of health, which drinks from a cup held in her hand." &mdash; Chambers, 1881

Hygieia

"In the classical mythology, the goddess of Health- the daughter of Aesculapius. She was worshipped…

"Hymen had been called to bless with his presence the nuptials of Orpheus with Eurydice; but though he attended, he brought no happy omens with him." &mdash;Bulfinch, 1897

Hymen

"Hymen had been called to bless with his presence the nuptials of Orpheus with Eurydice; but though…

The base of the column, torus, displays a concave molding called a scotia. This type of base was not present in the Greek Doric architecture, but are present throughout Ionic and Corinthian columns. The column is fluted. The Erechtheum, or Erechtheion is an ancient Greek temple on the north side of the Acropolis in Athens, Greece. a. sotia.

The Base of an Ionic Column at the Erechtheum

The base of the column, torus, displays a concave molding called a scotia. This type of base was not…

"What in this letter is contained, what here, Is written, all I will repeat to thee, That thou mayst bear my message to my friends, 'Gainst danger thus I guard: if thou preserve, The letter, that though silent will declare, My purport; if it perish in the sea, Saving thyself, my words too thou wilt save." &mdash; The Delphian Society, 1913

Iphegnia delivers letter to Pylades

"What in this letter is contained, what here, Is written, all I will repeat to thee, That thou mayst…

"When she was about to be slain at the altar, Artemis intervened and carried her off in a cloud to be priestess of her temple in Tauris (the Crimea), while a stag was substituted in the sacrifice." &mdash; The Delphian Society, 1913

Rescue of Iphigenia

"When she was about to be slain at the altar, Artemis intervened and carried her off in a cloud to be…

"When she was about to be sacrificed the goddess relented and snatched her away, leaving a hind in her place, and Iphigenia, enveloped in a cloud, was carried to Tauris, where Diana made her a priestess of her temple." &mdash;Bulfinch, 1897

Sacrifice of Iphigenia

"When she was about to be sacrificed the goddess relented and snatched her away, leaving a hind in her…

"Iris puts on her robe of many colors, and tingeing the sky with her bow, seeks the palace of the King fo Sleep." &mdash;Bulfinch, 1897

Iris

"Iris puts on her robe of many colors, and tingeing the sky with her bow, seeks the palace of the King…

"Isocrates was the son of a prosperous flute-maker; he was born at Athens B.C. 436, and lived till 338. He represents the excellence of that species of oratory which gives the highest place to artistic form and finish, and regards the subject-matter as comparatively of small importance." &mdash; The Delphian Society, 1913

Isocrates

"Isocrates was the son of a prosperous flute-maker; he was born at Athens B.C. 436, and lived till 338.…

"An Italo-Greek earring showing great craftsmanship." &mdash;The Encyclopedia Britannica, 1910

Italo-Greek Earring

"An Italo-Greek earring showing great craftsmanship." —The Encyclopedia Britannica, 1910

An illustration of a "jar of Castor ware with reliefs of a stag pursued by a hound, executed in semi-fluid slip." (Britannica, 1910)

Jar

An illustration of a "jar of Castor ware with reliefs of a stag pursued by a hound, executed in semi-fluid…

This antique jar belongs to the later period of the red figure style used in Greek figural paintings.

Antique Jar

This antique jar belongs to the later period of the red figure style used in Greek figural paintings.

"The Olympic games were of greater efficacy than the Amphictyonic Council in promoting the spirit of union among the various branches of the Greek race, and in keeping alive a feeling of their common origin. They were open to all persons who could prove their Hellenic blood, and were frequented by spectators from all parts of the Grecian world. They were celebrated at Olympia, on the banks of the alpheus, in the territory of Elis." &mdash; Smith, 1882

Hurling the javelin

"The Olympic games were of greater efficacy than the Amphictyonic Council in promoting the spirit of…

"Flavius Josephus was a strange amalgamation of Jew, Greek, and Roman, admittedly not what he should have been, either as a teacher of Mosiac law, as a patriot, or as a public man; and yet he performed successfully what he could not have achieved had he been any one of these only." &mdash; The Delphian Society, 1913

Flavius Josephus

"Flavius Josephus was a strange amalgamation of Jew, Greek, and Roman, admittedly not what he should…

A Greek jug from Rhodes.

Jug from Rhodes

A Greek jug from Rhodes.

"Thus the prince, both when present and when coming, was alike victorius: and these things he achieved just starting up from amidst his books; or rather, in marching against the adversary, he marched with his books, for he had always in his hands either books or arms, believing that war was wonderfully assisted by philosophy, and that a prince competent to give counsel threw more weight into the scale than a fighting one." &mdash; The Delphian Society, 1913

Julian

"Thus the prince, both when present and when coming, was alike victorius: and these things he achieved…

A depiction of Julian the Apostate, a noted philosopher and Roman Emperor, and his death.

Death of Julian the Apostate

A depiction of Julian the Apostate, a noted philosopher and Roman Emperor, and his death.

"Heathen Deities: Juno"-Willson, 1859.

Juno

"Heathen Deities: Juno"-Willson, 1859.

"Heathen Deities: Jupiter"-Willson, 1859.

Jupiter

"Heathen Deities: Jupiter"-Willson, 1859.

"Cup, <em>Kantharos</em>." &mdash; The Delphian Society, 1913

Kantharos

"Cup, Kantharos." — The Delphian Society, 1913

"Mixing bowl, <em>Kelebe</em>." &mdash; The Delphian Society, 1913

Kelebe

"Mixing bowl, Kelebe." — The Delphian Society, 1913