For hundreds of years, the Greeks economically and culturally ruled most of the Mediterranean Sea, founding wealthy colonies from Spain in the West to Turkey in the East, and from Egypt to the Black Sea. Their influence on the Western World today has left its mark in our politics, art and architecture like no other civilization.
Whether studying the cultural prosperity of Athens or the military invincibility of Sparta, the Ancient Greek world has much to offer in historical studies today. This blog series will delve into Ancient Greek culture, language, politics and warfare, my personal speciality, with the intent of helping you better understand your truly fascinating, rich and amazing past.
Welcome to the dawn of Western Civilization!
Ancient Greece in 18 Minutes (I DO NOT own this video)
Why is the Black Sea called the Black Sea? Why that color?
I had a look in Herodotus' "Histories", and in Book 7.58, he mentions a force under Xerxes rounding the sea, calling it "the Black Gulf". His army crossed a river flowing into the sea, called the Black River "after which the gulf is named". He then states that the river "was not large enough to avoid being drunk dry by the army", and while he doesn't continue on from there, my guess is that dark or black could have something to do with the river's ease of being dried up by marching armies. If that's got any link with the Black SEA though, I'm not sure.
I also had a look online; the Greeks first naming of the sea was "Póntos Áxeinos", originating from the old Iranian name "axšaina", meaning "dark coloured", from the Old Persian "axšaina", meaning "turquoise", Middle Persian "axšēn/xašēn", meaning "blue", and New Persian "xašīn", meaning 'blue" as well. The Greeks adopted this, and called it "á-xe(i)nos", meaning "Inhospitable", later changed again to "Euxīnus", meaning "Hospitable". My guess here is that "inhospitable" is being linked to "black" in that both words inhabit a sense of darkness and loneliness.
Hope that helps!
Yeah, that connection between black and inhospitable makes sense. That would be the most likely reason for it being called the Black Sea.
Black Soldiers
Did the soldiers wear black or dark color clothing? If so, then as they crossed the Black River or rivers, like you said, then the river would appear black from far away. So, that makes sense.
Sounds very interesting! Welcome to Steemit :)