Why we still live like the Ancients

Modern life often feels like an endless sprint though it is peppered with small moments and traditions which add value. Those most meaningful parts tend to be a glass of wine with friends, enjoying high-quality meals with family, or being gifted special symbols of love, protection, and luck. Many are the echoes of a world that predates us all. This certainly applies in southern Europe where the Mediterranean spirit is as much about lineage than it is about location. From the sacred laws of hospitality to the superstitious charms tucked into the pockets of the most cautious, the customs of Ancient Greece and Rome didn’t vanish with their empires. Instead, many have flowed through history, evolving into traditions which suit the modern Mediterranean. Here, we explore the ancient traditions that still define the soul of southern Europe.

The Evil Eye (Malocchio / Mati)
In both countries, there is a strong conviction in a malevolent glare that causes misfortune. This belief dates back more than 5,000 years, born from the idea that a glance fuelled by envy could physically manifest as bad luck. While the evil eye is a globally recognised symbol, the earliest traces come from ancient Greece and Rome. The superstition is so powerful that nowadays equally cautious measures are taken to ward off misfortune. Modern Greeks often wear a blue glass eye (mati), and Italians might use a red horn (cornicello), both of which are direct descendants of ancient apotropaic charms used to cast envy away.

Xenia
The ancient Greek philosophy of Xenia (which refers to the divine law of being kind to strangers) remains a pillar of Greek culture. In many rural Greek villages, a stranger is still treated with a level of hospitality that feels sacred, a remnant of the belief that any guest could be a god in disguise.

The Piazza and the Agora
The Roman forum and the Greek agora survive both in their urban design and in the social life of every town. They are considered the gathering places of for citizens, lined with cafes, tavernas, perhaps a church and dotted with a few benches were locals will meet their friends during evening strolls. Occasionally, market stalls might pop up for the weekly shop that offer a sensory alternative to the sterile supermarket experience. The Italian passeggiata (leisurely stroll) is a manifestation of the ancient habit of congregating in public squares to discuss politics, gossip, and business.

Engagement Rings
It was the Romans who popularised the exchange or rings as a legal pledge of marriage. It was a gesture which came from the belief that a ‘vein of love’ (vena amoris) flowed from the fourth finger of the left hand directly to the beating heart. As such, an external jewel was to signal a commitment to that inner course. During the second century BC, Roman brides were gifted two rings. One was gold which was worn in public; the other - made of iron - was worn at home while carrying out domestic duties. The contemporary practice of proposing and exchanging rings on the wedding day therefore comes from similar romantic practices from thousands of years ago.

The Bridal Veil
In ancient Rome, brides would wear a flammeum on the day of their wedding. This was a bright orange-yellow veil, the colour of a flickering flame, designed to protect them from evil spirits as they entered a new chapter of their lives. Today, the common practice of wearing a white veil offers the same sentiment as thousands of years ago, protecting from evil spirits. Similarly the romantic custom of carrying the bride across the threshold of her new home originates from ancient Rome. Originally, it was introduced to ensure the bride didn’t trip, which would have been considered a bad omen from the household gods.

The Mediterranean Diet
The foundations of the Mediterranean diet - olive oil, wine, and bread - have not changed in 3,000 years. This holy trinity of the table is as revered today as it was by the Ancient Greeks and Romans who developed and incorporated them into their daily lives. Indeed, many of the olive trees and vineyards dotted over the Mediterranean are the very same which yielded produce for the ancients, not to mention the use of ancient grains (like farro) which are regaining popularity especially across southern Italian regions. This food and wine is often enjoyed over long, multi-course meals - a pillarstone of community in southern European culture. They derive from the Greek symposium (literally meaning ‘drinking together’) and Roman convivium (meaning ‘living together’).

Mid-August Festivity
In Italy, the 15th August is a public holiday known as Ferragosto. It derives from the Feriae Augusti (the Festivals of Augustus), established in 18 BCE by the Emperor Augustus to celebrate the harvest. These festivities used to last a month offering citizens well deserved rest after toiling the lands. Today, the majority of offices in Italy will close down for at least two weeks in August giving employees a similar sense of relaxation.