The most prestigious law school admissions discussion board in the world.
|
 |
 
|
Ancient Greeks LOLing uncontrollably as Birdshits tell them they are European
| AZNgirl Signing Trade Deal w/Sigma Alpha Epsilon | 07/27/25 |
| AZNgirl Signing Trade Deal w/Sigma Alpha Epsilon | 07/27/25 |
| AZNgirl Signing Trade Deal w/Sigma Alpha Epsilon | 07/27/25 |
Poast new message in this thread
Date: July 27th, 2025 6:53 PM Author: AZNgirl Signing Trade Deal w/Sigma Alpha Epsilon (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5755333&forum_id=2],#49135669) |
Date: July 27th, 2025 6:55 PM Author: AZNgirl Signing Trade Deal w/Sigma Alpha Epsilon No, **ancient Greeks did not think of themselves as “European”** in the modern sense of continental identity.
### Here’s why:
---
### 1. **The Concept of “Europe” Was Geographic, Not Cultural**
* The ancient Greeks used **“Europe” (Eurṓpē)** as a **geographic term** to describe the landmass west of the Aegean and north of the Mediterranean. * It **didn’t imply a shared identity or civilization**. * Greece itself was sometimes viewed as a **borderland between Europe and Asia**, culturally and geographically.
---
### 2. **Greeks Identified as “Hellenes”**
* They thought of themselves primarily as **Hellenes (Ἕλληνες)**, united by language, religion (the Olympian gods), and customs. * They contrasted themselves with:
* **“Barbarians” (barbaroi)** — Non-Greek speakers. * **Asians (Persians, Phoenicians, etc.)** — Often viewed as despotic or effeminate in Greek writings. * **Scythians, Thracians, Egyptians, etc.** — Recognized as different cultures but not framed under a “continent” idea.
---
### 3. **“Europe” Was an Abstract Notion**
* The Greeks were aware of **Europe, Asia, and Libya (Africa)** as the **three known world regions**. * But **cultural-political identities were city-state based (Athens, Sparta, etc.) or Hellenic as a whole**. * The **European identity as we know it (shared Western Civilization idea) is a post-Roman, post-Renaissance concept**.
---
### TL;DR:
Ancient Greeks saw themselves as **Hellenes, not “Europeans”**. Europe was a **landmass label**, not a cultural identity.
---
Would you like me to show **how the ancient Greeks depicted Europe, Asia, and Libya on their old maps or writings?**
|
|
Date: July 27th, 2025 6:58 PM Author: AZNgirl Signing Trade Deal w/Sigma Alpha Epsilon JFC DEVASTATINNG for Birdshits:
Yes, **Ancient Greeks knew far more about India than they did about Northern or Western Europe**.
### Here's why:
---
## 🇮🇳 **India (Indikē) — Known & Recorded**
* India was part of the **Achaemenid Persian Empire’s eastern satrapies**, so **Greeks had second-hand knowledge through Persian sources**. * After **Alexander the Great’s invasion (326 BCE)**, the Greeks had **direct contact with northwest India (Punjab region)**.
* They learned about **Indian kings (like Porus), elephants, ascetic philosophers, trade goods (spices, gems)**. * Hellenistic kingdoms were established in **Bactria and northwest India**, leading to **Greek-Indian cultural exchanges (e.g., Gandhara art, Buddhist influence)**. * Greek geographers (Strabo, Ptolemy) wrote **detailed accounts of India’s geography, rivers (Ganges, Indus), and customs**. * **Greek merchants and travelers** traded in Indian goods via overland and maritime routes.
---
## 🇪🇺 **Northern & Western Europe — The Barbarian Unknown**
* To the ancient Greeks, lands beyond **Macedonia and Thrace** were **“Barbarian” territories**, poorly understood. * They had **vague and myth-laden ideas about Northern Europe**:
* **Celts (Keltoi)**: Known as fierce warriors inhabiting regions of **Gaul (France), Iberia (Spain), and Britain**. * Lands beyond were considered **mystical, cold, and inhabited by strange peoples (Hyperboreans, etc.)**. * **No direct Greek colonization or systematic exploration** of northern or western Europe occurred. * Knowledge of **Britain, Scandinavia, or Germany was minimal and full of myths**.
---
### 🌍 **Comparison:**
| Region | Level of Greek Knowledge | Source of Information | | --------------------------- | ------------------------------------ | ------------------------------------------------------------------ | | **India (Indikē)** | Moderate to Detailed (esp. NW India) | Persian records, Alexander’s campaigns, Indo-Greek kingdoms, trade | | **Northern/Western Europe** | Very Limited, Mythical | Traders, rumors, vague reports of Celts and distant cold lands |
---
### TL;DR:
The **Ancient Greeks had much clearer, documented knowledge of India** (due to Persia and Alexander) than they did of **Northern/Western Europe**, which was **mystified and distant** in their worldview.
---
Do you want me to show **ancient Greek maps (worldviews) to visualize how they saw India vs Europe?**
|