The foundation of Athens’ power was her formidable navy. While most other Greek city-states could only afford a couple of dozen triremes, the Athenian Navy could deploy more than 200 triremes (!)
We’re lucky enough to have full catalogs of names of warships of the Navy of Ancient Athens. Check out some of my favorite trireme names.
Also… keep in mind those were warships! Isn’t it a bit odd to give a cute name to an instrument of war? Think about it.
The goddess of quarrel and strife was Eris. She was sister and companion of murderous Ares, the Greek god of war and daughter of Nyx (Night). Unhappy and displeased that she was not invited to the wedding ceremony of Peleus (the king of the island of Aegina) and Thetis (the sea-nymph), Eris felt pushed aside and soon came up with a cunning plan in revenge for not being invited
Eris. Attic plate, ca. 575–525 BC (Berlin Antikensammlung)
The feast was attended by most of the Olympian Gods. Eris’ idea was to ‘forget’ a golden apple in the great banquet. That apple carried an inscription: “TO THE FAIREST” (ΤΗ ΚΑΛΛΙΣΤΗΙ). Eris knew that her shiny apple would quickly draw attention.
Yes, that was all she had to do. Soon, three goddesses at the wedding were fascinated by the golden apple and wanted it for themselves. Aphrodite, Athena and Hera immediately competed for it. They asked the other Greek Gods who should own it, but they proved smart and they chose not to interfere. They immediately smelled trouble. What was the point? If they chose one, then the other two goddesses would probably hold this against them. It sure was a hard call so the Gods agreed that Paris, being the most handsome mortal, should be the judge.
Walter Crane – The Judgement of Paris (watercolor on paper, 1909)
Everyone was happy with this solution and the gods were very pleased. Paris had a difficult task laying ahead. Athena, Hera and Aphrodite stripped naked in front of Paris and each goddess offered him an appealing gift trying to win his decision.
Athena tried to tempt him offering infinite wisdom.
Hera promised him absolute power over great kingdoms.
Aphrodite offered him the love of the most beautiful woman on earth, Helen.
Deal-maker! Paris made his choice
As you know, Paris gave the golden apple tot he Goddess of Love, Aphrodite. Spoiler alert: This decision would soon lead to the outbreak of one of the most famous wars ever, the Trojan War… And the fall of Troy would later lead to the foundation of Rome!
A secret that can keep your relationship healthy and happy (from the 5th c. BC)
Perhaps the most famous woman of classical Athens was Aspasia, wife of Pericles. Aspasia presents us with the best solution for a couple to find happiness together:
Neither will be happy, Aspasia says, as long as they both desire an ideal partner;
…rather, each must be the best spouse!
Then, their partner’s wish will be fulfilled…
Born in Miletus, Aspasia was a truly remarkable woman that Pericles adored and respected immensely. The so-called ‘father of the Athenian Democracy’ was even accused that some of his speeches were actually written by Aspasia. Pericles’ love for Aspasia was known all over Athens. He always kissed her goodbye and hello when he left and came home. This was unseemly for a respectable man, and for a man of Pericles’ standing, unheard of. He was often criticized for his relationship with Aspasia, and for his obvious reliance on her help and judgment. Famous Athenian men -like Socrates- were turning up at Pericles’ house just to have a discussion with his wife.
Pericles
To the question what makes a couple happy and successful, Aspasia had a simple answer.
In Cicero’s book ‘De Inventione’, we come across a dialogue where Aspasia is counseling a respected Athenian, Xenophon, and his wife.
“Please tell me, madam, if your neighbor had a better gold ornament than you have, would you prefer that one or your own?”
“That one,” she replied.
“Now, if she had dresses and other feminine finery more expensive than you have, would you prefer yours or hers?”
“Hers, of course,” she replied.
“Well now, if she had a better husband than you have, would you prefer your husband or hers?” At this the woman blushed.
But Aspasia then began to speak to Xenophon. “I wish you would tell me, Xenophon,” she said, “if your neighbor had a better horse than yours, would you prefer your horse or his?”
“His” was his answer.
“And if he had a better farm than you have, which farm would you prefer to have?”
“The better farm, naturally,” he said.
“Now if he had a better wife than you have, would you prefer yours or his?” And at this Xenophon, too, himself was silent.
Then Aspasia concluded: “Since both of you have failed to tell me the only thing I wished to hear, I myself will tell you what you both are thinking. That is, you, madam, wish to have the best husband, and you, Xenophon, desire above all things to have the finest wife.
Therefore, unless you can contrive that there be no better man or finer woman on earth you will certainly always be in dire want of what you consider best, namely, that you be the husband of the very best of wives, and that she be wedded to the very best of men.”
