What Was the Weather Like in Ancient Greece?

Ancient Greece's climate is thought to be similar to the Mediterranean temperatures most of the country now experiences. Northern Greece has milder summers and occasional snow in the winters. Southern Greece has rainy winters and summers that can have temperatures that exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

Ice Age

The Ice Age lasted up until 14,000 years ago. Greece was considerably colder and dryer than in either ancient times or today.

Climate Change

In the 5th century B.C., the climate of Greece started to change into what is known today. Greek history started just after the climate settled into the familiar Mediterranean patterns, according to the Encyclopedia of Ancient Greece.

Fun Fact

In the same encyclopedia, there is some speculation as to whether the climate in ancient Greece might have been somewhat warmer, indicated by the amount of scantily clad people found on vases and other artifacts from that period.

Pollution

Another thought in the encyclopedia is that the hazy conditions of the modern world that plague the country compared with the clear atmosphere of ancient Greece may be a reason why the temperatures are a bit cooler today.

Climatology

Theosphrastus was a climatologist in ancient Greece. The ancient Greeks had already labeled climatology as a valid scientific discipline.

References

• Basic Info on Greek climate
• Encyclopedia of Ancient Greece; Nigel Guy Wilson; 2006; Pg 173 & 174