r/AncientCivilizations 4h ago

Asia A bronze mirror with colorful paintings from the Western Han dynasty of China, found in a tomb in Xi'an, Shaanxi province, around 202 BC-8 AD

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28 Upvotes

r/AncientCivilizations 5h ago

Athenian "apotympanismos" (execution by binding to a plank) is one of the most under-discussed Greek punishments because the sourcing is so thin

7 Upvotes

Most of what we know comes from Plato's Gorgias and a handful of references in Aristophanes, plus some later lexicographers (Hesychius) trying to explain the term to readers who no longer recognized it. The method itself - bound at neck, wrists, ankles to a wooden plank/board, left to die of exposure - sounds close to Persian methods, and some scholars (Gernet argued this decades ago) think it might actually be a borrowed practice rather than indigenous Athenian law, given how rarely it shows up in the actual legal orators like Demosthenes compared to how much airtime it gets in philosophy.

Curious if anyone's seen more recent epigraphic evidence beyond what Gernet was working with - feels like a topic that hasn't been revisited much since.


r/AncientCivilizations 6h ago

A statue of Amenhotep III wearing a wig compared to an identical real ancient Egyptian wig found in archaeological records. 1386 to 1349 BC.

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125 Upvotes

r/AncientCivilizations 6h ago

Asia There’s a Roman theater right in front of my house in Jordan.

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722 Upvotes

This Roman theater is literally right in front of my house. It’s only a small part of the ancient village where I live. Every time maintenance or construction work is carried out in the area, archaeologists uncover new historical remains. Because of these discoveries, many believe that the entire area is hiding a vast, undiscovered archaeological site beneath it. This is in Irbid,the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan


r/AncientCivilizations 7h ago

Roman 6th century Eastern Roman court lady. Illustration by JFoliveras

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22 Upvotes

r/AncientCivilizations 7h ago

An inscription in Latin and Palmyrene found on the Via Appia in Rome

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12 Upvotes

A bilingual Roman funeral stele found on the Via Appia, one of the roads that led to Rome which had a number of graves and mausoleums along the way. While Latin (used for the first part of this inscription) and Greek were the most commonly used languages in the Roman empire, there were plenty of others spoken in certain regions including Palmyrene, which was an Aramaic dialect. The language from a part of Syria was used as well by people from there who moved around the Roman empire including some soldiers on Hadrian's Wall in northern England.

"For the souls departed of Habib, son of Annubat, originally from Palmyra, who lived 32 years, 5 months, 21 days; (his) brother Heres saw to (the making of this tomb).

Text in Palmyrene language: Funerary monument of Habib, son of (the deceased) Malco Annubat." Per the Capitoline Museums in Rome where this 2nd century AD object is on display.


r/AncientCivilizations 11h ago

Europe Porta Soprana, Genova

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51 Upvotes

r/AncientCivilizations 15h ago

Greek Panathenaic prize amphora. Greek, Attic, ca 470 BC. Terracotta with black figure decoration attributed to the Niobid Painter. Baltimore Museum of Art collection [2695x3600]

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187 Upvotes

r/AncientCivilizations 17h ago

The Astragaloi Players, paint on marble, Herculaneum, 1st c. BC-1st AD. The unexpectedly dark scene depicts five mythological women: Leto, Niobe and Phoebe in the background, with Niobe's daughters, Aglaia and Ilaria, playing the game of knucklebones... just before they are killed... [1280x1090][OC]

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102 Upvotes

r/AncientCivilizations 1d ago

Question Ancient Civilization movies for kids

5 Upvotes

Hi! I am going to be teaching 6th grade social studies this year and I will be teaching about Ancient Mesopotamia, Ancient Egypt, Ancient Greece, Ancient Rome, Ancient China, South and Central America, Medieval Europe, and the Renaissance, Reformation, and the Age of Exploration.

I am searching for movies to show for each of these units that are appropriate for 6th graders. I am okay with anything during the time frame (for example, Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief during Ancient Greece even though it's not totally accurate).

I am also considering showing clips from certain movies (I just saw The Odyssey today and found a couple of clips I want to show my students just to show them what Ithaca looks like in that particular adaptation).

Please let me know if you have recommendations, thank you in advance!


r/AncientCivilizations 1d ago

Question Where on earth do I start?

0 Upvotes

I want to get into ancient civilizations and how each started and kind of the cause and effect it had on history. Where should I start and then what order should I go? I know I could start with what interests me most but I don’t really want to start from somewhere that won’t help the progression.

Sumerians?
Mesopotamians?
Babylonians?
Greeks?
Romans?
Egyptians?
Japanese?
Chinese?
Etc


r/AncientCivilizations 1d ago

Laodikeia ancient city with a6400

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117 Upvotes

r/AncientCivilizations 1d ago

Rare Hellenistic Ritual Complex Unearthed in North Macedonia

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20 Upvotes

r/AncientCivilizations 1d ago

Egypt Ptolemaic Papyrus

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35 Upvotes

The Ptolemaic dynasty became the longest-lasting of Alexander's Successor kingdoms after establishing its rule over Egypt. But was military power alone enough to explain that success?

In the ancient world, religion stood at the heart of everyday life. It shaped politics, society, and personal identity. Alongside the Greek gods, local cults remained central to the communities that worshipped them.

During the Hellenistic period, ruler cults took on a new significance. Kings were presented not only as political leaders but also as figures with divine status, making religion one of the most effective tools for legitimizing power.

The Ptolemies understood this better than anyone else. Rather than replacing Egypt's religious traditions, they embraced them. They adopted the traditions of the pharaohs, integrated themselves into local cults, and established new dynastic cults for members of the royal family. In doing so, they succeeded in presenting themselves not only as Greek monarchs, but also as the legitimate pharaohs of Egypt.

Perhaps the true strength of the Ptolemaic dynasty was not what they conquered on the battlefield, but what they won in the minds and beliefs of the people.

Papyrus and Translation


r/AncientCivilizations 1d ago

Local head shop had the coolest stickers

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23 Upvotes

r/AncientCivilizations 1d ago

The Fall of Olympus: How Lucian Exposed the Absurdity of the Gods

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9 Upvotes

r/AncientCivilizations 1d ago

Europe Is Durrës, Albania Worth a Visit? The Roman Ruins say Yes, but.....

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2 Upvotes

Once one of the most important cities of the ancient and Byzantine world as it was the biggest port of the western Balkans (and is currently Albania's primary port). This city is where the Via Egnatia began and led to Constantinople. It also has the largest arena in the Balkans and some significantly thick walls. I explore all significant ruins from the Arena to the Byzantine Forum and the newly opened archaeological museum. Hopefully, if you come to Albania, this will give you an idea if the city is worth stopping in (it is definitely a mixed bag).


r/AncientCivilizations 1d ago

Europe Roman wall of Durres, Albania (Dyrrachium) at Sunset.

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72 Upvotes

Once one of the most important cities of the ancient and Byzantine world as it was the biggest port of the western Balkans (and is currently Albania's primary port). This city is where the Via Egnatia began and led to Constantinople. It also has the largest arena in the Balkans and some significantly thick walls. I explore all significant ruins from the Arena to the Byzantine Forum and the newly opened archaeological museum. Hopefully, if you come to Albania, this will give you an idea if the city is worth stopping in (it is definitely a mixed bag).


r/AncientCivilizations 1d ago

Asia Lacquer paintings from China's Warring States period, found in Jingmen, Hubei province, around 3rd century BC, they were originally colorful

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35 Upvotes

r/AncientCivilizations 1d ago

Greek Walls of Troy

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325 Upvotes

Notice the distinct inward-sloping limestone masonry built around 1300–1180 BCE. These walls defended the upper citadel during the Late Bronze Age siege.


r/AncientCivilizations 2d ago

Roman A Roman gold aureus minted by Emperor Domitian

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204 Upvotes

A Roman gold aureus minted by Emperor Domitian (who is holding a wreath and a septer) during a triumph, standing in a quadriga decorated by Victory. This was minted in Rome in 90-91 AD. Domitian took part in several triumphs, including the one of his father and brother in 71 AD after the Jewish War, as well as over the Dacians, Chatti and some people in the Rhine region in the 80s AD when he was sole ruler. This coin commemorates him with the title Germanicus (conqueror of Germany) and is on display in the Museum of Fine Arts in Lyon, France.


r/AncientCivilizations 2d ago

7,000-Year-Old Fish Traps Reveal Hunter-Gatherers Stocked Norway’s Mountain Lakes | Ancientist

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191 Upvotes

r/AncientCivilizations 2d ago

Mesopotamia Barhadad of Edessa's Memory of Ancient Aramean Kings

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1 Upvotes

r/AncientCivilizations 2d ago

Egypt The Nabta Playa Archaeological Site, one of the earliest of the Nubian Neolithic Period (7500 BC)

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298 Upvotes

The Nabta Playa archaeological site, one of the earliest of the Nubian Neolithic Period, is dated to circa 7500 BC

Nabta Playa was once a large endorheic basin (a temporary lake, or "playa") in the Nubian Desert, located approximately 800 kilometers south of modern-day Cairo or about 100 kilometers west of Abu Simbel in southern Egypt, 22.51° north, 30.73° east. Today the region is characterized by numerous archaeological sites. The Nabta Playa archaeological site, one of the earliest of the Nubian Neolithic Period, is dated to circa 7500 BC.

———

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nabta\\_Playa

Source: https://raggeduniversity.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Ibrahim-MegalithsNabtaPlaya-2025.pdf

Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Fertile_crescent_Neolithic_B_circa_7500_BC.jpg


r/AncientCivilizations 2d ago

Other Ancient Minoan Art from Crete in Ancient Near East

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65 Upvotes

Foreign Princes pay Homage to the King (Ancient Egypt), Ancient Minoan Art from Crete in Ancient Near East, and Biblical cross reference

Foreign Princes pay Homage to the King

“These are the princes of Keftiu and of Khatri respectively; Keftiu is probably the name for Crete, and Khatri is better known to us as the land of the Hittites.

Behind them follows the prince of Tunep holding out an infant son who is evidently to serve as a hostage.

The appearance of these great chieftains belies the hieroglyphic labels written above them, and we can but conclude that the artist was a very poor ethnologist.

The prostrate Cretan is pictured as a Syrian, and to fit his name he would have had to resemble the fourth figure of the row, who exhibits the long parted locks and decorated skirt that were seen in Plate XIV.

This last tribute-bearer is further proclaimed a Cre­tan by the characteristically Minoan bull's head, perhaps of silver with blue inlay, which he carries on a basket, though the folded cloth with coloured borders and tassels borne on the arm is in close agreement with the correctly shown cloak of the real Syrian prince immediately preceding.

As for the kneeling prince described as a Hittite, his bearded face and fashion of wearing his hair are again those of a Syrian, and not at all in harmony with the national traits known from better, though later, sources.

———

Source: https://digitalcollections.aucegypt.edu/digital/collection/p15795coll44/id/20/

Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ancient_Near_East_1700BC.svg#mw-jump-to-license

Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Minoan_fresco,_showing_a_fleet_and_settlement_Akrotiri.jpg

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Akrotiri_Antelopes_fresco.jpg

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Heraklion_—_Cup_bearer_fresco.jpg

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Knossos_women_fresco.jpg

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Akrotiri_Antelopes_fresco.jpg

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Gifts_from_the_Keftiu,_Tomb_of_Rekhmire_MET_DT10884.jpg

Source: https://archive.org/details/historicaltextbo00cole/page/n11/mode/1up