Ancient Greece and its culture are important for world history. Here are just a few interesting facts about ancient greece, culture, customs, features of the Greeks and more.
1. The word "teacher" originates from Ancient Greece. It has a literal meaning - "leading the child." But in those days, it was not called the teacher, as it is now, but the slave who was supposed to take the child to school and bring him back.
Most often, they preferred to take as teachers slaves who were unsuitable for any other work, but were distinguished by their loyalty to the house.
The duty of the teacher was to protect his pupil, as well as to preserve his moral and physical health. In addition, the duties of the teacher included teaching the child the most simple things until the student enters school.
2. Greek word scale from which our modern word“school”, denotes leisure, rest, idleness. However, now this word refers to educational institutions in which the main work of schoolchildren takes place, and by no means rest. How did it happen? It all started in Ancient Greece, in the 1st century BC. In public places, they began to erect benches of a semicircular shape, which were intended for recreation. People could sit on them, talk heart to heart. Over time, these benches became a favorite place for speakers, they began to have regular listeners, and earlier benches that were intended for idle rest suddenly became a place of intense and lengthy discussions. When such meetings of "students" and "teachers" became permanent, it became necessary to create educational institutions operating on a permanent basis, with their own premises. According to tradition, institutions began to be called "scholas".
3. According to the ideas of the ancient Greeks, in order to get into the kingdom of the dead, the shadow of a deceased person had to cross one of the four rivers that surrounded the kingdom of Hades - Acheron, Styx, Piriflegeton or Kokit. Charon, who served as a carrier of the shadows of the dead across these rivers, was a gloomy but energetic old man in dirty rags. For his service, he demanded a certain payment of one obol from each shadow.
In this regard, the relatives of the deceased put a coin under his tongue. It was called in those days "the right of the dead." In addition, a honey cake was put into the hand of the deceased. She was needed to appease Cerberus with three heads, who guarded the entrance to the realm of the dead. If none of the relatives put a coin of the deceased, then his shadow was doomed to while away all his time on the shore.
4. There is one misconception associated with the legend of Diogenes, who lived in a barrel. Diogenes could not live in a barrel, because at that time the ancient Greeks simply did not know how to make them. The philosopher was sheltered in an earthen vessel called "pithos". As a rule, pithoi about 1.5 - 2 meters high were completely buried in the ground to preserve the grain.
5. According to many authors of antiquity, the soldiers of Ancient Greece wore special armor called " linothorax". Even Alexander the Great himself was depicted in similar armor on a mosaic from Pompeii. The most popular version among historians says that the linothorax was made from several layers of linen, which were fastened together with glue. Scientists at the University of Wisconsin recreated a similar material, given the materials and technologies that were available at the time. As a result, they found that such clothing perfectly protects against cold weapons and archery.
6. Parthenon- a snow-white temple that towered over the sea and land was built as a temple of the goddess Athena, the patroness of the great city of Ancient Greece. A giant statue of the goddess stood near the temple. Her gilded helmet sparkling in the rays of the sun served as a kind of beacon for ships approaching the city. From the Parthenon began a wide marble staircase. It was surrounded by temples and porticoes; the stairs descended to the city's market square, the "agora". During the day, a crowd of sellers and buyers was seething here, and in the evening the trade subsided, the Greek people gathered here to discuss business and find out last news. Also, there was a national meeting every ten days.
7. The ancient Greeks did not know how to swim and were afraid of the sea. They could swim only along the coast, they were wary of the open sea. If the shore was not visible, they fell into a hysterical state and prayed to the gods for their salvation.
8. The Greeks wore loincloths. There was a case when one of the runners did not lose the bandage, but at the same time came running first. After that, all the participants in the games began to run naked, however, and went naked too often. All this was from the fact that the Greeks in those days did not know 
shame. In general, such a concept as shame appeared already in the Middle Ages, when the priests began to work together to inspire people that a naked body is something indecent.
9. Ancient Greece is the birthplace of democracy, however, even in the 4th century BC, people had to pay money in order for them to want to participate in elections.
10. Ancient Greece is also the birthplace of theater. There were two genres in the theater of that time: satire and drama. The name "satire" originates from satyrs, that is, forest deities, cheerful creatures with goat legs, as well as fertility demons. Satyrs are mischievous, lustful, and great drinkers. satire in ancient Greek theater wore the same vulgar character with greasy jokes.
Dramatic performances lasted for several hours and were truly tragic, with a large number of deaths and various sufferings.
Did they play in theater of ancient Greece only men. If the actor had a role beautiful girl He wore a white mask over his face. If ugly - then yellow. Only men could watch performances in the theater. Spectators brought food and drink to the theatre.
Interesting facts about Ancient Greece there is still quite a lot, it is not without reason that it is considered one of the most developed ancient states, many interesting people lived there, and until now their names are not forgotten, and their teachings are popular - these are Plato, Socrates, Aristotle, Diogenes and many others.
- Modern Greece is only the center of ancient Greek civilization, which included southern Italy, the coastal regions of Turkey and the Black Sea, as well as a number of colonies in North Africa, Southern France and Spain.
2. Mountains occupy 80% of the territory of Greece, 50% of the territory is covered with forests. Greece consists of about 3,000 islands, but only a few hundred of them are inhabited. The largest island in Greece is Crete (8260 km2).
3. Ancient Greek legend says that when God created the earth, he sifted all the soil through a sieve. After the ground was covered with good soil, he threw the remaining stones in the sieve over his shoulder, and thus Greece was created.
Express info by country
Greece (Hellenic Republic) - state in southern Europe.
Capital– Athens
Largest cities: Athens, Thessaloniki, Patras, Larissa
Form of government- Parliamentary republic
Territory– 131,957 km2 (95th in the world)
Population– 10.77 million people (75th in the world)
Official language– Greek
Religion- orthodoxy
HDI– 0.865 (29th in the world)
GDP– $235.5 billion (45th in the world)
Currency– euro
Borders with: Albania, Macedonia, Bulgaria, Turkey
4. The ancient Greeks considered the most high mountain countries - Olympus (2919 m).
5. Greek has been spoken for over 3,000 years, making it one of the oldest in Europe.
Greek folk dance Sirtaki
6. Many modern names have Greek origin: Alexander (Alexandros => “protector of man”), Andrew (Andreas => “courageous”), Denis (Dionysios => “follower of Dionysius”), Gregory (Gregorios => “vigilant”), Elena (Helen => “light sun"), Catherine (Aikaterine => "pure"), Nicholas (Nikolaos => "victory of the people"), Peter (Petros => "stone"), Sophia (Sophia => "knowledge"), Stepan (Stephanos => "crown"), Fedor (Theodoros = > "God's gift").
7. In Greece is the largest number archaeological museums in the world. This is not surprising, considering rich history and culture of the country. The most famous of these is the new Acropolis Museum, located on a hill below the Parthenon.
8. The Greeks call their country Hellas (Hellas, Ellada), and its official name sounds like the Hellenic Republic. The name "Greece", this is how the country is called in the world, comes from Latin word Graecia, which was used by the Romans and which literally means "land of the Greeks".
Traditional houses in the Plaka area of Athens
9. Approximately 98% of the population of Greece are ethnic Greeks. The largest group of national minorities are Turks. Albanians, Macedonians, Bulgarians, Armenians and Gypsies also live in the country.
10. The Greek diaspora has about 7-8 million people. Main countries of residence: USA, Australia, Ukraine, Russia, Great Britain, Germany. Australian Melbourne is the city with the largest Greek population outside of Greece.
11. Athens is one of the oldest cities in Europe. The city has been continuously inhabited for over 7,000 years. Athens is the birthplace of democracy, Western philosophy, Olympic Games, political sciences, Western literature, historiography, basic mathematical principles, tragedy and comedy.
12. Family values are strong in Greece. There are almost no nursing homes in the country; elderly parents live out their lives in the homes of their daughters. Young people usually live with their parents before marriage. Among developed countries Greece has the lowest percentage of teenagers living in foster families.
13. Greece has one of the lowest cancer death rates in Europe.
14. 85% of Greeks own their own home - the highest rate in the EU.
15. Despite the fact that in last years, due to the economic crisis, the suicide rate in the country has increased dramatically, Greece continues to be the country with the most low level suicide in the EU. Malta follows.
16. Since ancient times, shipping has been one of the key industries in Greece. Greek shipowners own more than 3,500 ships of various types, which is 25% of the world's fleet, and more than 70% of the European one.
Famous ancient galleys
17. Aristotle Onassis (1906-1975) was one of the most famous shipping businessmen in history. During his heyday, Onassis was considered the richest man in the world.
18. Greek law stipulates that 75% of the crew of a Greek vessel must be Greek.
19. Hundreds of thousands of birds stop in the swamps of Greece during their migration. About 100 thousand birds from Northern Europe and Asia winter in Greece.
20. Greece is the only country in the world with twice the number of tourists than the local population. More than 20 million people visit Greece every year, while the country's population is just over 11 million. Tourism revenues account for about 20% of the country's GDP.
21. For Greeks, name day is a more important holiday than birthday. Every Orthodox saint has a day of remembrance on which people bearing that saint's name receive gifts from friends and family and have big parties with plenty of food, wine and dancing.
22. About 7% of all marble produced in the world comes from Greece.
23. Greece has over 250 sunny days(or 3000 sundial) in year.
24. Greece is the third largest producer of olives in the world. Some olive trees that were planted in the 13th century still bear fruit.
25. Waving a hand with an open palm and spread fingers is called moutza and is an insult. If you feel like waving at someone in Greece, be sure to do it with your palm closed.
Protesters near the walls of parliament demonstrate moutza
When studying history, we are still in high school we will learn about the intellectual heritage that Hellas gave to the world. The following interesting facts about Ancient Greece will refresh our knowledge about this wonderful country.
Ancient Greece included one and a half thousand independent city-states. And the largest among them was Athens. Each of the cities issued its own laws and maintained an army, their foreign policy often led to wars.
The supreme governing body of some cities was general meeting adult male citizens. In other states, the board of the richest citizens, called oligarchs, or “ruling minority”, ruled.
Wealthy Greek women were accustomed to an idle lifestyle, their main interest was the acquisition of jewelry and jewelry. It was believed that they did not need to study or work. Even their own babies were fed by specially hired milk slaves.
There were women in Greek society who opposed this way of life. They were called getters. They were educated and lived independent life. Society considered hetairas to be bad wives, and therefore they rarely married.
Talking about interesting facts about Ancient Greece, we note that the ancient Greek representatives of the fair sex lived on average 36 years, slightly longer than men - up to 45. The mortality rate among newborns was amazingly high, in the first year of their lives, half of the babies died.
The monetary unit of Ancient Greece was the drachma, and its hundredth part was the mite. From that time to the present day, the expression "do your bit" has come down.
The first Greek coins had images of heroes and gods minted in full face. Since the nose was quickly erased on them, they began to issue coins with profiles.
Hellas we owe the concept - democracy. It should be noted that the amazing activity of voters at that time was a consequence of the payment to the townspeople who came to the polls.
Mathematics became a theoretical discipline among the ancient Greeks. The founders of many of its sections were Pythagoras, Euclid and Archimedes.
According to the customs of that time for classes exercise the Greeks were naked.
Running was the only discipline in the first thirteen Olympic Games.
As awards, ancient athletes received branches of the olive tree, olive wreaths and amphoras with olive oil.
Drinking undiluted wine was considered bad manners. It was diluted sea water, maintaining a ratio of 1:7, due to the high cost of fresh water. Throughout the day, this wine mixture was consumed as a soft drink.
Athens was named after Greek goddess. Legend has it that she gave the city-state an olive tree, her rival Poseidon gave Athens water. Having figured out that the water was salty, the townspeople named Athena the winner.
According to a legend that has come down to us, an ordinary barrel served as the home of the philosopher Diogenes. In real life, it was a pithos - a vessel made of clay large size buried in the ground. Usually it was used as a container where grain was stored.
The progenitor of world travel guides for tourists had the name "Description of Hellas". It belongs to the 2nd century AD. e. The author of this work, consisting of 10 books, he is considered Pausanias, recommending readers to visit the most attractive places in Greece, gives detailed descriptions theaters, beautiful statues and magnificent temples. The guide does not forget to tell about the traditions and customs of the places described.
WINGED WORDS AND EXPRESSIONS
Augean stables
In Greek mythology, the Augean Stables are the vast stables of Augius, king of Elis, which have not been cleaned for many years. They were cleansed on the same day by Hercules: he directed the river Alpheus through the stables, the waters of which carried away all the impurities. This myth was first reported by the ancient Greek historian Diodorus Siculus. The resulting expression " Augean stables” - about the extremely neglected premises, as well as (trans.) about affairs that are in extreme disorder.
Aurora
In Roman mythology, Aurora is a goddess dawn. In figurative and poetic speech, it is generally a synonym for dawn. The expression "pink-fingered Aurora" was included in literary speech from the poems of Homer. In Greek mythology, it corresponds to Eos.
Antey
In Greek mythology, Antaeus is a giant, the ruler of Libya, the son of the god of the seas, Poseidon, and the goddess of the earth, Gaia. Called to battle all who appeared in his domain, and was invincible while in contact with mother earth. Strangled by Hercules, who tore him off the ground. This myth is transmitted by the Greek writer Apollodorus in the "Library". The image of Antaeus is used when talking about the power that a person possesses if he is connected with his native land, native people.
Argus, Argos
In Greek mythology, Argus is a hundred-eyed giant, the personification of the starry sky, the son of Gaia. The goddess Hera forced him to guard Io, the beloved of her husband Zeus, who was turned into a cow by him in order to protect him from anger jealous wife. Hera begged a cow from Zeus and assigned Argos to her, who vigilantly guarded her - only two of his eyes closed at the same time, the others were open and vigilantly watched Io. Only Hermes managed to kill him. Hera transferred the eyes of Argos to the plumage of a peacock. The name of Argus has become a household name for a vigilant and vigilant guardian. According to another legend, the stout-eyed Argus personifies the starry sky.
Ariadne's thread, Ariadne's thread
In Greek mythology, Ariadne is the daughter of the Cretan king Minos and Pasiphae. When Prince Theseus arrived in Crete from Athens, along with young men doomed to be eaten by the Minotaur, Ariadne fell in love with him. The Minotaur was in the Labyrinth - a palace with so many passages that it was impossible to get out of it. Ariadne gave Theseus a ball of thread, which he unwound as he entered the Labyrinth. Having killed the Minotaur, Theseus got out of the Labyrinth along an unwound thread (Ovid, Metamorphoses). In a figurative sense, the thread of Ariadne is a guiding thread, an opportunity that helps to get out of a difficult situation.
Arcadia
an area in the central part of the Peloponnese (Greece). IN ancient literature and later (mainly in the pastorals of the 16th-18th centuries) Arcadia was portrayed as a paradise country with a patriarchal simplicity of morals. In a figurative sense - a happy country.
Achilles' heel
In Greek mythology, Achilles (Achilles) is one of the most powerful and brave heroes; He is sung in Homer's Iliad. The post-Homeric myth, transmitted by the Roman writer Gigin, reports that Achilles' mother, the goddess Thetis, wanting to make her son immortal, immersed him in the sacred waters of the Styx River; only the heel, by which Thetis held him, did not touch the water and remained vulnerable. In this heel, Achilles was mortally wounded by the arrow of Paris. The expression "Achilles' heel" that arose from here is used in the sense of: a weak, vulnerable spot.
Poor as Ir
In Greek mythology, Ir is one of the characters in the Odyssey, a beggar who entered into a fight with Odysseus when he, disguised as a beggar, returned to native home. In a figurative sense - the poor. (“The poet was poor, like Ir.” Herzen A.I. Past and thoughts).
Barrel Danaid, bottomless barrel
The Danaids in Greek mythology are the fifty daughters of the king of Libya, Danae, who, at the behest of their father, killed their husbands on their wedding night. Only one decided to disobey her father. As a punishment, the Danaids had to fill a bottomless barrel with water forever in Hades. In a figurative sense - "barrel of Danaid", "work of Danaid" - useless and endless work. The myth of the Danaids was first described by the Roman writer Hyginus (Fables), but the image of a bottomless vessel was found among the ancient Greeks earlier. Lucian was the first to use the expression "danaid barrel".
Age of Astrea
In Greek mythology, Dike Astrea is one of Or, the goddess of justice, the daughter of Zeus and Themis. Dike informed Zeus about all the injustices happening on earth. The time when she was on earth was a happy, "golden age." She left the earth in the Iron Age and since then, under the name of Virgo, has been shining in the constellation of the Zodiac. The nickname Astrea (starry, heavenly) is probably associated with the idea that true justice is possible only in heaven. The expression "age of Astrea" is used in the meaning: a happy time.
Libation [worship] Bacchus [Bacchus]
Bacchus (Bacchus) - Roman name Greek god of wine and fun Dionysus. Among the ancient Romans, when sacrificing to the gods, there was a rite of libation, which consisted in pouring wine from a bowl in honor of the god. From this arose the playful expression "libation to Bacchus", used in the meaning: a drinking bout. The name of this ancient Roman god is also used in other playful expressions about drunkenness: “worship Bacchus”, “serve Bacchus”.
Hercules. Herculean labor [feat]. Pillars of Hercules [pillars].
Hercules (Hercules) - in Greek mythology, the hero, the son of Zeus and the mortal woman Alcmene. He performed the famous twelve labors: he strangled the Nemean lion, killed the Lernean hydra, cleared the Augean stables, etc. In memory of his wanderings, Hercules erected the Pillars of Hercules. So in the ancient world they called two rocks on opposite banks of the Strait of Gibraltar. These pillars were considered "the edge of the world", beyond which there is no way. Therefore, the expression "to reach the Pillars of Hercules" began to be used in the sense: to reach the limit of something, to the extreme point. The name of Hercules himself became a household name for a person with great physical force. The expression "Hercules labor, feat" is used when talking about any business that requires extraordinary efforts.
Hercules at the Crossroads
The expression arose from the speech of the Greek sophist Prodicus, which became known to us in the presentation of Xenophon. In this speech, Prodicus told an allegory he had composed about Hercules (Hercules), sitting at a crossroads and thinking about life path which he was to choose. Two women approached him: Pampering, who promised him a carefree life full of pleasures, and Virtue, who showed him the difficult path to fame. Hercules preferred the latter, and after many labors became a god. The expression "Hercules at the Crossroads" is applied to a person who finds it difficult to choose between two solutions.
Hydra
In Greek mythology, the hydra is a multi-headed snake, in which new heads grow in place of severed heads. For the first time the myth about her was transmitted ancient Greek poet Hesiod in Theogony. Figuratively: a hostile force, the fight against which is unusually difficult.
Hymen. Bonds [chains] of Hymen
In Greek and Roman mythology, the deity of marriage. He was depicted as a naked young man, decorated with garlands of flowers, with a torch in his hand. In a figurative sense, the “bonds of Hymen” is a marital union.
Homeric laughter (laughter)
Uncontrollable, extraordinary laughter (from the description of the laughter of the gods in Homer's poem "The Iliad").
Heap Pelion on Ossu
Pelion and Ossa are mountains in Thessaly, located near Mount Olympus. The expression "heap Pelion on Ossa" originates from Homer's Odyssey, which tells how the brothers Aloids, Otos and Ephialtes, tried to pile Mount Pelion on Mount Ossa and climb Olympus. Only Apollo was able to stop them with his arrows. "To heap Pelion upon Ossa" means to do something unusual and grandiose.
Sword of Damocles
The expression originated from an ancient Greek tradition told by Cicero. Damocles, one of the associates of the Syracusan tyrant Dionysius the Elder, began to enviously speak of him as the happiest of people. Dionysius, in order to teach the envious man a lesson, put him in his place. During the feast, Damocles saw that a sharp sword was hanging on a horsehair over his head. Dionysius explained that this is a symbol of the dangers to which he, as a ruler, is constantly exposed, despite the seeming happy life. Hence the expression "sword of Damocles" got the meaning of impending, threatening danger.
Greek gift. Trojan horse. 
The expression is used in the meaning: insidious gifts that bring death to those who receive them. Originated from Greek legends about the Trojan War. The Danans (Greeks), after a long and unsuccessful siege of Troy, resorted to a trick: they built a huge wooden horse, left it at the walls of Troy, and pretended to swim away from the shores of Troy. The priest Laocoön, seeing this horse and knowing the tricks of the Danaans, exclaimed: “Whatever it is, I am afraid of the Danaans, even those who bring gifts!” But the Trojans, not listening to the warnings of Laocoon and the prophetess Cassandra, dragged the horse into the city. At night, the Danaans, who hid inside the horse, went out, killed the guards, opened the city gates, let in their comrades who returned on ships, and thus captured Troy (Homer's Odyssey, Virgil's Aeneid). Virgil's half-line "I'm afraid of the Danaans, even those who bring gifts", often quoted in Latin ("Timeo Danaos et dona ferentes"), has become a proverb. This is where the expression " Trojan horse", used in the meaning: a secret, insidious plan; betrayal.
Two-faced Janus
In Roman mythology, Janus - the god of time, as well as every beginning and end, entrances and exits (janua - door) - was depicted with two faces facing in opposite directions: young - forward, into the future, old - back, into the past. The expression "two-faced Janus", or simply "Janus", which arose from here, means: a hypocrite, a two-faced person.
Dragonseed (seed of discord)
The ancient Greek myth tells how the Theban king Cadmus killed the dragon guarding the Key of Kastal. Athena ordered the dragon's teeth to be pulled out and sowed. Cadmus did what the goddess commanded, and immediately a whole detachment of armed warriors grew out of the teeth of the dragon, who entered into an internecine battle and killed each other. From this legend, the expression "dragon seed" was born - i.e. seed of discord.
Echidna
In Greek mythology, Echidna is a monster, half-maiden-half-snake, which gave birth to a number of monsters: the Sphinx, Cerberus, the Nemean lion, the chimera, etc. In a figurative sense, it is an evil, caustic and treacherous person.
The Golden Fleece. Argonauts
In ancient Greek myths it is said that the hero Jason went to get the Golden Fleece - the golden skin of a magical ram - which was guarded by the dragon of the king of Colchis, Eet. Jason built the ship "Argo" and, having collected greatest heroes, who by the name of the ship became known as the Argonauts, set off. Having overcome many adventures, Jason obtained the Golden Fleece. The poet Pindar was the first to expound this myth. Since then, the golden fleece is called gold, wealth, which they seek to master; Argonauts - brave sailors, adventurers. 
Golden age
Hesiod called the golden age the very first and happiest time in the history of mankind, when people knew neither wars, nor worries, nor suffering. In a figurative sense, the golden age is called the time of the highest prosperity.
Golden Rain
This image arose from the Greek myth of Zeus, who, captivated by the beauty of Danae, the daughter of King Acrisius, appeared to her in the form of a golden rain, after which her son Perseus was born. Danae, showered by a rain of gold coins, is depicted in the paintings of many Renaissance artists (Titian, Correggio, Van Dyck, etc.). Figuratively, “golden rain” is called abundant income, profit, wealth.
Sink into oblivion. Summer
In Greek mythology, Lethe is the river of oblivion in the underworld. The souls of the dead, having tasted the water from Lethe, forgot about their earthly life. “Sink into oblivion” - to be forgotten, to disappear without a trace.
Cassandra, prophetic Cassandra
In Greek mythology, Cassandra is the daughter of the Trojan king Priam. Cassandra received a prophetic gift from Apollo, but when she rejected his love, he made it so that her prophecies were no longer believed. So, the Trojans did not heed the words of Cassandra, who warned her brother Paris against the abduction of Helen, the latter, as you know, led to the Trojan War and the death of Troy. The name of Cassandra became common name a person who warns of danger, but who is not believed.
labyrinth
In Greek mythology, the Labyrinth is a palace from which it is impossible to find a way out. Built by a skilled craftsman Daedalus in Crete on the model of a similar Egyptian palace. Now the word "labyrinth" is used to refer to an intricate network of paths, passages, rooms that communicate with each other. In a figurative sense - a complex, intricate arrangement, a combination of something.
Mars. Son of Mars. Field of Mars
In Roman mythology, Mars (Greek Ares) is the god of war. A military or belligerent person is sometimes called a "son of Mars." The expression "Champion of Mars" in ancient times was used in the meaning of "battlefield". Also in ancient rome one of the parts of the city on the left bank of the Tiber, intended for the military and gymnastic exercises. In Paris, this name is given to a square in the western part of the city, which originally served for military parades. Petersburg, this is the name of the square between summer garden and the barracks of the Life Guards of the Pavlovsky Regiment, where large military parades were held under Nicholas I and later.
Between Scylla and Charybdis
Scylla and Charybdis are two monsters that lived on both sides of a narrow strait and killed sailors passing between them. Hence the expression "between Scylla and Charybdis" is used in the meaning: to be between two two dangers, between two fires.
Mentor. mentor tone
Mentor is a peer of Odysseus and his closest friend on Ithaca. Odysseus, going under Troy, entrusted Mentor with the care of his son and house. The wise and prudent Mentor has always stood guard over the interests of the Odysseus family. Having adopted his image, Athena takes care and instructs Telemachus, the son of Odysseus, during his trip to Greece (hence the “mentor” - an authoritative mentor). The mentor's tone is strict and instructive.
Morpheus. Embrace of Morpheus
In Greek mythology, Morpheus is the god of dreams. Appeared to people in dreams, taking the form of any person. He was usually depicted as a young man with wings on his temples. In a figurative sense - “plunge into the arms of Morpheus” - fall asleep and dream.
Flour Tantalum
In Greek mythology, Tantalus is the son of Zeus and the Phrygian queen Pluto. A Lydian or Phrygian king, a cunning and greedy man. Being a demigod, he took part in the feasts of the gods, while he stole nectar and ambrosia from their meals and distributed it to his earthly relatives, divulged the secrets of the gods. One day, wanting to test their omniscience, Tantalus served them during the meal the meat of his son Pelops. The gods resurrected the young man, and Tantalus was doomed to eternal torment in Hades (“Tantalum torment”): standing up to his neck in water and seeing the fruits descending from the tree, Tantalus could not quench his thirst and hunger, as the water left from under his lips, and a branch with fruits was removed. Hence the expression "torment of Tantalus" - the torment caused by proximity, the seeming achievability of desire and the impossibility of implementation.
Narcissus. Narcissistic like Narcissus 
In Greek mythology, Narcissus is a beautiful young man, the son of the river god Kefiss. Seeing his reflection in the water, he fell in love with his own reflection in the water (hence the expression "narcissus narcissus") and died of anguish. According to one version of the myth, Narcissus rejected the love of the nymph Echo, for which he was punished by Aphrodite: he fell in love with himself and stabbed himself out of hopelessness. A narcissus flower grew from drops of his blood. His name has become a household name for a person who admires himself, narcissistic.
Start with Leda's eggs
In Greek mythology, Leda is the daughter of the king of Aetolia, Testius and Leucippe, the wife of the Spartan king Tyndareus. Zeus, captivated by the beauty of Leda, took possession of her, turning into a swan. From this connection came Elena. According to one of the myths, Elena was born from one Leda's egg, and her brothers, the twins Castor and Polydeuces, from another. Helen, who later married Menelaus, was kidnapped by Paris and served as the culprit of the Trojan War. The expression "begin with Leda's eggs" goes back to Horace, who praises Homer for starting his story about the Trojan War not ab ovo - not from an egg (meaning the myth of Leda), not from the very beginning, but immediately introduces the listener in medias res - in the middle of things, in the very essence of the matter. It should be added to this that the expression "ab ovo" among the Romans was proverbial; in full: "ab ovo usque ad mala" - from beginning to end; literally: from egg to fruit (the Roman dinner began with eggs and ended with fruit).
Nectar and ambrosia
In Greek mythology, nectar is a drink, ambrosia is the food of the gods, giving them immortality. Portable: Extraordinary delicious drink, gourmet dish; supreme pleasure.
Olympus. Olympians. Olympic bliss, greatness, tranquility
Olympus is a mountain in Greece, where, as it is told in Greek myths, the gods lived. The Olympians are immortal gods; in a figurative sense, people who stand above ordinary passions and unrest, maintaining an imperturbably calm appearance and outward grandeur. From this arose a number of expressions: “literary Olympus”, “ musical Olympus"- a group of recognized poets, writers, musicians. "Olympic Bliss" highest degree bliss; "Olympic greatness" - solemnity in manners, in all appearance; "Olympic calm" - imperturbable calm.
panic fear
In Greek mythology, Pan is the god of the herds, the patron of the shepherds, then of all nature. Pan can instill such fear when a person rushes headlong to run, not making out the road, through forests, over mountains, along the edge of abysses, not noticing that flight threatens him with death every minute. It happened that Pan inspired a similar fear in an entire army, and it turned into an unstoppable flight. The Greeks believed that he struck the Persians with such fear at the battle of Marathon. Hence " panic fear"- unaccountable, sudden, uncontrollable fear, covering a person or many people, causing confusion. This is where the word "panic" comes from.
Parnassus
In Greek mythology, Parnassus is a mountain in Arcadia. On Parnassus, the sacred Kastalsky spring, dedicated to the muses, originates. Habitat of Apollo and Muses. In a figurative sense, Parnassus is the world of poetry, poets. "Parnassian sisters" - muses.
Pegasus 
In Greek mythology - winged horse Zeus. From the blow of the hoof of Pegasus on Mount Helikon, the source of Hippocrene arose, from which poets drew inspiration. Symbol of poetic inspiration.
Penelope. Penelope's work
In Greek mythology, Penelope, the wife of Odysseus, waited for her husband's return from Troy for twenty years, stubbornly rejecting the harassment of numerous suitors. She promised to choose a new husband for herself after she finished weaving a veil for her father-in-law's coffin, so that, according to custom, when he died, she would prepare a decent funeral for him. However, at night she unraveled everything that she had time to weave during the day. The image of Penelope is a symbol of female nobility and marital fidelity. Allegorically: the work of Penelope is an endless work.
Pygmalion and Galatea
In ancient Greek myth, Pygmalion is the king of Cyprus. Having fallen in love with Aphrodite, he carved her statue from marble and turned to the goddess with a plea to breathe life into the cold statue. Touched by such love, Aphrodite revived the statue, which, under the name of Galatea, became the wife of Pygmalion. In a figurative sense, a person who fell in love with his creation.
Procrustean bed
Procrustes bed - a bed on which the giant robber Procrustes forcibly laid travelers: those who had a short bed, chopped off their legs; those who were long, pulled. In a figurative sense - an artificial measure that does not correspond to the essence of the phenomenon.
Prometheus. Promethean fire
Prometheus in Greek mythology is a titan, in myths he acts as a theomachist and protector of people. After the victory of the gods over the titans, Prometheus took the side of the people, stole the fire from Olympus and brought it to the people. For this, on the orders of Zeus, Prometheus was pierced in the chest with a spear, and he was chained to a rock on the spurs Caucasian ridge and doomed to constant torment: an eagle flying every day pecked at his liver, which grew back overnight. The figure of Prometheus symbolizes a man who fights for the truth and goes to the most terrible torment in the name of an idea. The expression "Promethean fire" is used in the sense: the sacred fire burning in the human soul.
Cut the Gordian knot
In Greek mythology, Gordius is the first king of Phrygia, the eponym of the city of the same name in Asia Minor. Gordius was a simple farmer, and one day, while plowing, an eagle sat on the yoke of his oxen. This was interpreted as a sign foretelling royal power to Gordia. Soon the Phrygians, left without a ruler, turned to the oracle for advice on who to choose as king. The oracle predicted that they should choose the one they met first on the wagon. This man was Gorgias. Having become king, he built a city that received his name, and placed his wagon in the citadel, entangling its yoke with the most complex knot. It was believed that whoever unraveled this knot would become the ruler of all of Asia. According to legend, Alexander the Great in 334 BC. instead of unraveling the knot, he simply cut it with a sword, which is where the expression "cut the Gordian knot" came from - to make a quick and bold decision.
Cornucopia
In Greek mythology, the cornucopia is the horn of the goat Amalthea, who nursed Zeus with her milk; possessed the magical property of giving whatever its owner wished. In a figurative sense - an inexhaustible source of wealth, benefits.
Sisyphean labor
In Greek mythology, the Corinthian king Sisyphus was punished by the gods for his many sins: in the underworld he was sentenced to roll a heavy stone up the mountain, which, barely reaching the top, rolled down, and all the work had to be started anew. The expression is used in the meaning: hard, endless and fruitless work.
Sphinx. As mysterious as the Sphinx
In Greek mythology, the Sphinx is a winged half-woman, half-lion who lived on a rock near Thebes. She asked each approaching traveler the same riddle (“who walks on four legs in the morning, on two at noon, on three in the evening”). Those who failed to find an answer were devoured by the monster. Only Oedipus solved the riddle of the Sphinx, answering that it is a person - in childhood, maturity and old age; after that, the Sphinx threw herself off the cliff. The Sphinx is the embodiment of mystery. “Mysterious, like the Sphinx” - they say about a person whose words and actions are incomprehensible to others.
Titans
In Greek mythology, the Titans are the archaic gods of the first generation, born of Gaia and Uranus. They rebelled against the Olympian gods, for which they were cast into Tartarus. Figuratively, titans are people distinguished by strength, gigantic power of mind, geniuses; titanic - huge, grandiose.
Themis. Scales of Themis. Servants of Themis
In Greek mythology, Themis is the goddess of justice. She was depicted with a blindfold (a symbol of impartiality), with a sword and scales in her hands. Allegorically: Themis - justice, law; scales of Themis - a symbol of justice; servants (priests) of Themis - servants of the law, judges.
Phoenix. Rise like a phoenix from the ashes
In Greek mythology, the Phoenix is a fairy-tale bird, similar to an eagle, covered with fiery red and golden plumage. She lives for 500 years, and before her death she burns herself, but is immediately reborn from the ashes. A symbol of rebirth and renewal. "Rise like a Phoenix from the ashes" - die and come to life again.
Fortune. Wheel of Fortune
Fortune - in Roman mythology, the goddess of blind chance, happiness and misfortune. She was depicted blindfolded, standing on a ball or wheel, holding a steering wheel in one hand and a cornucopia in the other. The steering wheel indicated that fortune controls the fate of a person, the cornucopia - well-being, the abundance that it can give, and the ball or wheel emphasized its constant variability. Her name and the expression "wheel of Fortune" is used in the meaning: chance, blind happiness.
Fury
In Roman mythology, each of the three goddesses of vengeance (in Greek mythology, Erinyes). Aeschylus, who brought the Erinyes on stage, depicted them as disgusting old women with snakes for hair, with bloodshot eyes, with protruding tongues and bared teeth. Figuratively, an angry, grumpy woman.
Chimera
In Greek mythology, the Chimera is a monster with the head and neck of a lion, the body of a goat, and the tail of a dragon. Allegorically, a chimera is something unreal, impossible, unrealizable and strange dream.
Cerberus
In Greek and Roman mythology, Cerberus is a monstrous three-headed dog with a snake tail that guarded the entrance to underworld. Hence the word "Cerberus" is used in the meaning: an evil, ferocious overseer.
Cyclops. Cyclopean buildings
In Greek mythology, the Cyclopes are three one-eyed giants. They were credited with the construction of gigantic buildings. Hence "cyclops" is used in the meaning of one-eyed. "Cyclopean construction" - huge, gigantic buildings.
Circe
Circe (Latin form; Greek Kirk) is a sorceress from Fr. Eya, who turned the companions of Odysseus into pigs, and kept him on his island for a year. In a figurative sense - an insidious seductress.
What is allowed to Jupiter is not allowed to the bull
By ancient Greek myth, Jupiter (Greek Zeus) liked the daughter of the Phoenician king Europe. Jupiter turned into a bull and kidnapped her. Quod licet Jovi, non licet bovi - the proverb speaks of an immodest or baseless claim
Apple of discord
In Greek mythology, the bone of contention is Golden Apple With 
the inscription "the most beautiful", which was thrown by the goddess of discord Eris to three goddesses: Hera, Athena and Aphrodite. The mortal youth Paris was supposed to award the apple to the most worthy (“Judgement of Paris”). Hera promised Paris power and wealth, Athena - wisdom and military glory, and Aphrodite - to marry the most beautiful woman. And Paris recognized the most beautiful of the goddesses Aphrodite. Fulfilling her promise, the goddess helped Paris kidnap the most beautiful of mortal women, Helen. This kidnapping started Trojan War. The expression "apple of discord" means: the cause of the dispute, contention.
Pandora's Box
In Greek mythology, Pandora is the first woman created by the gods as a punishment for humans for stealing fire from Prometheus. Zeus gave her in marriage to the titan Epimetheus. For the wedding, Zeus gave Pandora a box that contained all human vices, troubles, misfortunes and illnesses, but forbade him to open it. Seeing this vessel in her husband's house, the curious Pandora, despite the ban, opened it, and all the disasters from which humanity suffers spread throughout the earth. Only one Hope remained at the bottom of the vessel, as Zeus wished. In a figurative sense, "Pandora's box" is the source of all kinds of disasters.
Greece is a country that many rightly call the cradle of modern civilization. The ancient heritage of ancient Greece had a huge impact on the development of the culture of many peoples, and it is not for nothing that it is considered the property of all mankind. However, even today Greece is extremely interesting place, and it is not without reason that it is so popular with tourists.
- It was Greece that laid the foundation for modern Western civilization. Conditionally dividing the mainland into two parts of the world - Europe and Asia - was also invented by the Greeks.
- Greek is one of the oldest languages in existence today (it has been spoken for over 4,000 years and written for over 3,000 years). Greek origin is most of scientific terms.
- Greece is the birthplace of Western philosophy, literature, mathematics, theatre, history and political science.
- Greece has the oldest sports traditions among all the countries of the world and is the ancestor of the Olympic Games.
- The world's first democratic system of government was formed in the Athenian polis around 500 BC.
- Greece is the country of the sun, more than 250 days a year there is clear weather. This circumstance allows the widespread use of solar panels, just like in United Arab Emirates(cm. ).
- The distance from any point in Greece to the sea coast does not exceed 137 kilometers.
- Greece occupies last place among EU countries by the number of divorces.
- Not only Brazil, but also Greece is a country of carnivals. These festivals are held every year from January to March.
- Greece owns more than 2 thousand islands, but people live on only 170 of them.
- Greece has the most archaeological museums in the world. In Cyprus, however, there are not much fewer of them (see).
- Greek nature is the most diverse among the countries of Europe.
- The most popular tourist destination in Greece is the island of Rhodes, where one of the seven wonders of the world, the Colossus of Rhodes, once stood. It is thanks to this giant that the word "colossal" appeared.
- Herodotus, the world's first historian, who lived in 484-425 BC, is a man-symbol of all Greece.
- During each Olympic Games, the ancient Greeks sacrificed a hundred bulls to Zeus.
- The Greek currency, the drachma, lasted 2,650 years until it was replaced by the euro in 2002 (see).
- The saying "Take the bull by the horns" is of Greek origin - in one of the myths, Hercules defeats a rabid Cretan bull in this way.
- In Greece, it is customary to celebrate not your birthday, but the "name day" of the saint, whose name the Greek bears.
- In Greece, it is considered offensive if a person shows an open hand with outstretched fingers. Therefore, the Greeks wave their clenched fists at each other.
- According to the ancient Greek myth, God sifted the earth through a sieve during the creation of the world, and so many countries with fertile soil appeared. Then he threw out the remaining stones in the sieve, and Greece arose.
- Greece receives 16.5 million tourists every year, while the country's population is only about 11 million people.
- All residents of Greece over the age of 18 are required to vote.
- In the early 2000s, the Greek government banned gambling and computer games, but the ban had to be lifted as it was considered a violation of human rights.
- Every school day for Greek schoolchildren begins with a prayer.
- Textbooks that children studied at the end school year burned - it is not customary to use such books again in Greece.
- The Greeks express disagreement by moving their heads from bottom to top.
- The inhabitants of Greece eat more cheese than anyone else on Earth - about 2 kilograms per month. The most popular variety, by far, national pride- Chees Feta.
- Greece is one of the three largest olive producers in the world. There are about a hundred varieties of these fruits.
- Greece also has a siesta - as a rule, it lasts two hours, from 14:00 to 16:00. Most shops are closed at this time, as their owners and staff are simply asleep.
