People of Ancient Greece and Rome

The history of classical antiquity is bound up with the lives of remarkable individuals whose ideas and actions still echo today. In Greece, the philosopher Plato, a student of Socrates and teacher of Aristotle, founded a school in Athens and wrote dialogues that became foundations of Western philosophy. The historian Herodotus, often called the father of history, wrote a detailed account of the wars between the Greeks and the Persian Empire.

Military and political leaders reshaped the ancient world. Alexander the Great of Macedon conquered an empire reaching to the edge of India and carried Greek, or Hellenic, culture across the Mediterranean and the Near East, founding cities such as Alexandria. The city of Athens, centred on the Acropolis, produced statesmen, playwrights and thinkers during its golden age, while the legendary palace civilization of Knossos on Crete belonged to a much earlier era.

Roman history is likewise told through its leading figures. The brothers Tiberius and Gaius Gracchus attempted land reforms that exposed the Republic's social divisions, and their deaths marked a turning point toward civil strife. Later, a succession of Roman emperors ruled the empire at its height. The remains of Roman life, from the buried town of Pompeii to the underground catacombs, give a human face to the people who built and lived within the classical world.

Frequently asked questions

Who was Plato?

Plato was an ancient Greek philosopher, a student of Socrates and teacher of Aristotle. He founded a school in Athens and wrote dialogues that shaped Western thought.

Why is Herodotus important?

Herodotus is often called the father of history because he wrote one of the first systematic accounts of the past, focusing on the wars between Greeks and Persians.

Who were the Gracchi?

The Gracchi were the brothers Tiberius and Gaius Gracchus, Roman reformers who sought land redistribution. Their violent deaths deepened the conflicts of the late Republic.