Ancient History Encyclopedia

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Ancient History Encyclopedia is a non-profit educational website with a global vision: to provide the best ancient history information on the internet for free.

We combine different media, subjects and periods in interactive ways that will help readers understand both the "big picture" and the detail. Editorial review is a key component in our process to ensure highest quality.

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476 definitions
380 articles
1,052 illustrations
2,976 references
2,490 keywords
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Latest Content

Featured
Article

A Visual Glossary of Greek Pottery

by Mark Cartwright
published on 22 March 2013
Alabastron (pl. alabastra) - a small jar for storing perfumes, named after the material (alabaster) the first examples were made from. They were often carried by a string looped around the neck of the vessel. Amphora (pl. amphorae) - one of the most common forms in Greek pottery, various shapes, always with two vertical neck-handles and... [continue reading]

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Paper-making Process

by 豐
published on 19 May 2013
An image of a Ming dynasty woodcut showing the main steps in the ancient Chinese papermaking process as outlined by Cai Lun in 105 CE.
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A Chinese Servant Statue

by Guillaume Jacquet
published on 19 May 2013
A servant statue, Western Han Period (206 BCE – 9 CE). Cernuschi Museum, Paris, France.
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Map of the Eastern Hemisphere (1 CE)

by Thomas Lessman (talessman@yis.us)
published on 19 May 2013
Map showing the political division in the Eastern hemisphere in 1 CE. The Han dynasty was almost at its peak in terms of geographical expansion.
Encyclopedia Definition

Marathon

by Mark Cartwright
published on 19 May 2013
The Battle on the plain of Marathon in September 490 BCE between Greeks and the invading forces of Persian king Darius was a victory which would go down in folklore as the moment the Greek city-states showed the world their courage and excellence and won their liberty. Although in reality the battle only delayed the Persians in their imperialistic ambitions... [continue reading]
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Roman Frescoed Room

by Mark Cartwright
published on 18 May 2013
A room from the Villa of the Farnesina, Rome, early 1st century BCE. Probably used as a bedroom. The fresco surrounds the whole room and uses trompe-l'oeil effects to create perspective. The central panels shows Dionysos nursed by nymphs, the left panel shows a seated Aphrodite with Eros. (Palazzo Massimo, Rome).
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Dionysos or Bacchus

by Mark Cartwright
published on 18 May 2013
A bronze statue of the god of wine Dionysos (Greek name) / Bacchus (Roman name), early 2nd century CE. His head is crowned with vine leaves and fruit. The eyes are from limestone, the pupils would have probably been in coloured glass paste and the lips are in copper. The statue was made using the lost-wax technique. (Palazzo Massimo, Rome).
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Alexander the Great

by Mark Cartwright
published on 18 May 2013
Head of Alexander the Great from a smaller than life-size statue, goldleaf on bronze, 2nd century CE. (Palazzo Massimo, Rome).
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Roman Sacrificial Altar

by Mark Cartwright
published on 18 May 2013
A marble sacrificial altar dedicated to the Roman gods Mars and Venus, c. 124 CE. Later used as a pedestal for a statue of the god Silvanus. The carvings tell of the founding of Rome with the figures of Romulus and Remus, their adoptive shepherd father Faustulus and a personification of the river Tiber. (Palazzo Massimo, Rome)
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Mycenaean Death Mask

by Xuan Che
published on 18 May 2013
A gold death mask from a Shaft Grave IV, Grave Circle A, Mycenae, 1600-1500 BCE. (National Archaeological Museum, Athens).
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Death Mask of Agamemnon

by Xuan Che
published on 18 May 2013
The so-called death mask of Agamemnon - the king of Mycenae in Homer's Iliad. Gold funeral mask from Grave Circle A, Mycenae (mid-16th century BCE). The mask in fact predates Agamemnon by 400 years but nevertheless remains solid evidence of Homer's description of Mycenae as 'rich in gold'. (National Archaeological Museum, Athens).

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