Of course, in a broad sense, Ancient Greece is not the cradle of human civilisation — that role fell to completely different states that existed earlier.
But this country is unique in that it brought so much knowledge, philosophical trends and discoveries to the modern world that it became a leading scientific and educational state (or rather, a specific area on the map) in the early history of human civilisation, single-handedly changing the face of the entire global community.
The influence of Ancient Greece can still be felt today. Moreover, without straining our memory, each of us can recall the names of Socrates or Plato, as well as at least two or three classic literary works that were popular in this region during the Ancient era.
And just as the achievements of the Greeks spread far beyond their time, modern digital entertainment platforms also reach global audiences. For instance, online casinos like those offering a Wanted Win promo code provide users with generous bonuses, fast payouts, and access to popular slots — blending excitement, risk, and reward in ways not unlike the competitive spirit of the ancient Olympic Games.
That is why today I have compiled 15 interesting facts about this conglomerate of city-states, which in ancient times was ahead of the rest of the world in its scholarship and pursuit of beauty.
1. The birthplace of handshakes
Nowadays, handshakes are common all over the world and are considered normal not only in business and professional life, but also in everyday interactions. To this day, it is considered a terrible insult not to shake an outstretched hand, which is why conflicts regularly flare up around the world between individuals and entire communities.
But few people know that the birthplace of handshakes is Ancient Greece.
The earliest depiction of a handshake was found by archaeologists on a well-preserved mosaic dating back to the 5th century BC. The plot is simple: the goddess Hera shakes hands with the goddess Athena, clearly agreeing with something.
The tradition of greeting each other with a handshake and sealing agreements with a handshake spread throughout the world after the conquests of Alexander the Great.
So, the next time you extend your hand, remember what you have read in this section.
2. Statues in Ancient Greece were rarely white
Nowadays, when we hear the words ‘ancient Greek statue,’ we imagine a white figure of a man or woman frozen in marble. But this is the result of centuries, even millennia, of influence since the creation of a particular sculpture.
Initially, almost all ancient Greek statues were richly and colourfully decorated with paint. It is only natural that over time, the paint completely evaporated from the surface, revealing the pristine whiteness of the pure stone to the eyes of future generations.
3. Not a politician means ‘idiot’
Originally, the word ‘idiot’ did not have a negative connotation and did not indicate low mental abilities in a human individual. The term appeared in Ancient Greece and was originally used to describe a person who did not participate in the social and political life of a city or country.
If you think about it and combine the ancient and modern meanings of the term, you get an even more accurate meaning.
4. The fashion for monobrows
You can get an idea of what the physical standards of male and female beauty were like by looking at two or three statues from the ancient world. But what the statues don’t show is the fashion for monobrows, which were considered not only a ‘beauty accessory’ but also a sign of high intelligence.
That is why ancient Greek women, who in 99% of cases were unable to grow a natural monobrow, corrected the situation with cosmetics, drawing in the missing section.
5. Mandatory peace before the Olympic Games
The Olympic Games are the most significant and important sporting event to this day.
In Ancient Greece, during the Olympic Games, an important rule was observed: all cities and countries participating in the competitions had to make peace with each other, at least for a while.
Unfortunately, in the modern world, this important element of the Olympic Games has been quickly forgotten.
6. Red lipstick is a sign of an easily accessible woman
In Ancient Greece, the work of women of easy virtue was considered important and in demand. At the same time, representatives of the oldest profession had an important distinguishing feature — they painted their lips with red lipstick to identify each other and present their activities.
7. Red carpet
It was in Ancient Greece that a red carpet was rolled out for people who were to receive a special welcome. The first mention of this practice in the ancient world appeared in the 5th century BC in the play ‘Agamemnon’, in which a Greek ruler decided to bestow upon himself the same honour that had previously been reserved for the gods.
8. The most prestigious position is lying down
In Ancient Greece, all important state affairs were decided exclusively while lying down. Numerous feasts were also held in this manner.
It was believed that if you were lying on a couch covered with a white toga and being served by numerous servants, this was a sign of status, which important ancient men often flaunted in front of each other while deciding serious matters.
9. Wine was always diluted
A logical continuation of the previous point is the numerous changes of dishes, which a polite guest had to try without exception. Since such feasts were washed down exclusively with wine, in order to ‘survive’ until the end of this ‘snack,’ the alcoholic beverage was necessarily diluted with clean water.
Over time, this purely practical solution to a difficult situation became a tradition and a rule of good manners in society.
10. Stones instead of toilet paper
I won’t go into detail on this point. But the fact remains. Sometimes pieces of moss or earth were also used.
11. Beans contain the souls of the dead
The ancient Greeks were very superstitious people. This is not surprising, given the peculiarities of the era.
However, one of the most amusing superstitions was the mass refusal to eat beans, as it was believed that the souls of the dead were found in these fruits.
12. Politics could be banished
According to the established democratic political system in Ancient Greece, politicians were not elected for a specific term, but could always lose their position in the event of widespread disapproval. If, during an interim vote, the crowd pointed out numerous mistakes made by a politician, they would be banished for 10 years.
Incidentally, this tradition of long-term exile from society later spread to ordinary citizens and was considered a very serious punishment by the standards of the time.
13. Spartans did not know family life until the age of 30
To be a Spartan meant to be a great warrior and devote your best years to your beloved city.
According to the famous Spartan warrior training programme called ‘Agoge’, boys were taken from their families at the age of 7. Only upon reaching the age of 30 were they finally allowed to leave the service and start a family.
14. The importance of salt
As well-known lovers of good food, the ancient Greeks were among the first to realise the importance of salt. That is why the salt industry was one of the most important in the region, and a bag of this food seasoning could fetch a fortune.
This combination of circumstances has led to the expressions ‘Not worth his salt’ and ‘That’s the salt of the earth’ still being used today, reflecting the great value placed on salt in ancient times.
15. Spartan infanticide
A very unpleasant fact, but genetic selection was first conceived in Ancient Sparta. At that time, when a baby with a disability was born, it was officially ‘rejected,’ after which the child did not live a single day.
These are some unusual and very interesting facts. I really hope you enjoyed this article, because the first centuries and millennia of human civilisation are a period that evokes completely different feelings and at the same time gives us an understanding of much of what is happening now.
Conclusion
Ancient Greece continues to captivate us not only through its philosophers and legendary heroes but also through the many surprising cultural details that shaped everyday life. From the fashion of unibrows to political exile and the first-ever red carpet, each fact reveals a different layer of a civilisation far ahead of its time. It is often these little-known curiosities that help paint a fuller picture of a society whose influence still echoes in modern politics, art, language, and values. By exploring the past, we gain a deeper understanding of the world we live in today.
