Ancient Greek Pancakes

Ancient Greek Pancakes
By Adrian Altieri

Although the concept of a pancake, especially one with toppings like chocolate, fruit, or whipped cream, may seem like a more modern idea, a particular version was a staple of the Ancient Greek breakfast. This type of pancake, referred to as a “girdle-cake” (ταγηνίτης, tagenites) by the Athenians or a “griddle-cake” (τηγανίτης, teganites) by the Anatolian Greeks, is a mixture of wheat flour and water, fried in olive oil, including either sea salt, honey, or sesame seeds…

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A Brief History of Common Latin and Greek Sayings

A Brief History of Common Latin and Greek Sayings
By Adrian Altieri

As a language rich in vocabulary, English is often able to encapsulate many complex ideas on its own. A large proportion of English vocabulary is derived from Latin via French, and many other terms are descended from Ancient Greek. However, in certain cases, it is best to leave phrases in their original languages, allowing for a faithful transmission of…

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Can We Trust Ancient Historical Accounts?

Can We Trust Ancient Historical Accounts?
By Adrian Altieri

For Penn students who have taken history courses at the university, an introduction to a historical method of critical thinking is commonplace. Professors often discuss the importance of reliable primary sources, careful sifting through other sources of evidence, and…

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