Ancient Greek Drinking Games (not suitable for modern parties)

In this video, I put on a bed sheet, break out the box wine, and try to recreate kottabos and some of the other drinking games played by the Greeks and Romans. Don't try this at home, kids...
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If you liked this video, you might also enjoy my book “Naked Statues, Fat Gladiators, and War Elephants: Frequently Asked Questions about the Ancient Greeks and Romans.”
www.amazon.com/Naked-Statues-...
If you're so inclined, you can follow me elsewhere on the web:
/ toldinstone
/ toldinstone
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Chapters:
0:00 Introduction
0:40 Disclaimer
1:06 Why the Romans were bad at drinking games
1:49 The Greek symposium
2:30 Recreating a symposium
3:51 First rounds
4:28 Kottabos
5:12 Kottabos is hard
Thanks for watching!

[@matthewpateman9393]

I hope that wine was classed as a business expense. Purely academic.

[@adamwelch4336]

Tax write off! 💰 💸

[@altdelet3778]

At least in the Athens upper crust

[@constancemiller3753]

'Symposiums' are classy affairs.

[@drcoonass]

Seeming “uncivilized” for not mixing the wine with water makes a lot more sense in a society where sipping isn’t a thing

[@thefreshvince879]

they dont drink straight liquor, they gotta have their mixers. i imagine itd be like 65% liquor 35% mixer. straight cocktails

[@jsgwam]

@@thefreshvince879 it's wine?

[@Alamyst2011]

Wasnt there wine like 160 proof?

[@Lifesizemortal]

@@thefreshvince879 and some of the content is almost always, unfortunately, lead acetate (yes, they used to use a lead-based sweetener, you can probably gather how that went)

[@sparklesparklesparkle6318]

@@Alamyst2011 depends on the wine. I drink everynight I drink 5% ABV seltzers and a bottler of 14% sake. I don't drink the sake cuz Im a weeb I just need a low cal wine in the 14% range to be able to sleep and it's super cheap.

[@wauliepalnuts6134]

*_"OK. DRINK EVERY TIME YOU HEAR SOCRATES SAY SOMETHING WISE."_*

[@i-never-look-at-replies-lol]

"If I took a shot for every time Diogenes showed up with that chicken of his..."

[@brettdziekonski1451]

IT YOU!!!.......GREAT TO SEE A FANBUDDY!!!

[@stickemuppunkitsthefunlovi4733]

Steaming.

[@highviewbarbell]

@@i-never-look-at-replies-lol what do you mean that's clearly a human. it's a featherless biped, just like you said

[@djowen5192]

That Aristotle was a bugger for the bottle.

[@halcyonzenith4411]

Socrates is being interrogated by the police. He says to the detective: "I'll ask the questions here."

[@bezahltersystemtroll5055]

😂😂😂

[@WorgenGrrl]

I see what you did there.

[@bombfog1]

Purportedly, the Gauls would trade two slaves for one box of Franzia wine.

[@Alamyst2011]

3 goats and a hen would also suffice

[@DanCooper404]

A bargain, even at twice that price!

[@hibernianperspective6183]

Her: "Where are you going?" Me: "Why to the Symposium of course!"

[@MonkeyspankO]

Primary research: an essential foundation for all academic endeavors

[@spankflaps1365]

Once I drunk a full box of red wine in 1 hour, at V Festival. I then fell asleep stood up, propped up in the crowd, watching the Stereophonics. Afterwards my mouth looked like Dracula. I drunk it quickly because it was too heavy, and I didn’t realise my mates all hated red wine.

[@Lifesizemortal]

Party animal!!

[@sparklesparklesparkle6318]

next time drink a whole vial of mystery juice

[@ayebraine]

3 liters???

[@robinfrederick3020]

This was a heroic endeavor, worthy of Homer's heroes. I wish I could have partaken.

[@dungeontsar7749]

They do say science is repeatable, and may I say I am feeling downright scientific tonight

[@nondescript2892]

I am at the moment travelling in northern Greece , reading your book and writing this from my sunbed next to the pool literally gazing at mount Olympus.....me and my travel buddy are trying to keep the drinking on an equilibrium with the ancients 😁

[@marigold3208]

That resulted in many fewer injuries than the time we made our own flint knives in class. (In archaeology, we dispensed with any attempt at drinking games, just went straight to getting wasted.) Also, probably a great way to get good reviews in “Rate my Professor”. Throughly wholesome.

[@gododoof]

Have you heard of the practical joke goblets that were designed to spill the drink of a person who fills it up too high? Those were ingenious little ancient devices.

[@TOBAPNW_]

The drunkards cup? I had heard that was just a design; have archeologists actually discovered drunkards cups from the period?

[@gododoof]

@@TOBAPNW_ I'm not sure if it's been found in any archaeological sites, but the Pythagoras Cup is what I'm thinking about.

[@carlosspeicywiener7018]

@@gododoof Also known as a greedy goblet.

[@happytofu5]

@@carlosspeicywiener7018 like the pot of greed yu gi oh card?!

[@Holygiant]

@@happytofu5 it lets you draw two cards

[@stickemuppunkitsthefunlovi4733]

The dog looks very confused as to why you would waste perfectly good tasting puddle water.

[@Dejanga]

I'm not sure how you're able to make a description of pool floaties sound sophisticated but dammit, you do it

[@a_l_b__a607]

So close to 100k now! I’m sure you’ll get the chance to improve your Kottabos skills when celebrating the milestone.

[@gperrin9050]

I really enjoy watching this channel. It hits the mark perfectly with how humor and accurate historical information are put together.

[@pedro-on-wheels]

thanks for a great chuckle in the middle of the day!

[@yesman6559]

Yes

[@dj-kq4fz]

Probably the best and most scholarly presentation on Rome I've ever seen. Well done sir! Thanks! Dave J

[@Alamyst2011]

Look up the epic Mike Duncan podcast The History of Rome. Probably about 60 hours of pure Roman history told very well.

[@dj-kq4fz]

@@Alamyst2011 Thanks!

[@spkspkspks]

This one''s a banger

[@ruthanneseven]

Heroic effort! 😂 I think the ratio was half water though. Crappy red wine will always taste better if decanted for an hour or so. All you were missing, was an already-toasted symposium crasher like Alcibiades, to liven things up. Sharing your couch, complaining about not getting enough attention from Socrates. All things Venus... I'm gonna laugh all day over this one 😂👋. New sub! After a decade of research on 415 bce, I have a few questions. I'm taking it up again after a long hiatus. It's going to be very exciting to see what I may have glossed over 25 yrs ago!

[@sallybeach8510]

I am sufficiently delighted and edified.

[@Succumbed2Rum]

This was absolutely brilliant. Got to love the commitment. 👏

[@IrrelevantGeOff]

Just got the book! Can’t wait to read more about their debauchery lol

[@ThisNameWasTaken0]

I love how much you love antiquity. Keep making the great vids.

[@gerardjacquemier5137]

A la fois très amusant et très savant. Bravo Garrett!

[@primordialpouch1139]

Just found your channel last month, keep killing it sir!

[@alanjackson1691]

Loving that wholesome "farmer tan" at 2:20 😎

[@user-vh1si2zl9w]

What’s your background in classics? Do you have a good reading list for classics? I’ve read SPQR by Mary beard, The Storm Before the Storm by Mike Duncan, 1177 BC The Year Civilization Collapsed, and lives of Caesars by Suetonius but want to read more books about the classical period by contemporary and classical authors. Also I’ve been here since you had like 3k subscribers it’s great to see your channel growing so quick.

[@toldinstone]

I'm a professional classicist by training (my PhD is in Greek and Roman history). For an extensive reading list - once you're done, of course, with my own book! - I recommend checking out the ancient section of the AskHistorians reading list, which I helped to assemble. Thanks for your commitment to my channel!

[@user-vh1si2zl9w]

@@toldinstone thanks for making this great and engaging content! I just graduated college but now I wish I studied the classics.

[@Alamyst2011]

@@user-vh1si2zl9w I am a life long addict of Roman History. If you have not already listened to Mike Duncan's epic podcast The History of Roman Empire I would think that a very fitting place to start. Mike does an excellent job of mentioning historical authors. Personally I would recommend the Bibliotehca Historia. Diodorus Siculus was a counterpart of Scipio Africanus and he details a great, albeit embellished early history. Livy is a great source but so very much is missing. The Mediations by Emperor Aurelies are also interesting.

[@sparklesparklesparkle6318]

@@user-vh1si2zl9w its never too late to keep researching. School just prepares you for a life of scholarly pursuit. Lemme tell you mate you can have a wife or you can have science. Just be glad you have science if nothing else.

[@user-vh1si2zl9w]

@@toldinstone I just requested that my local library gets your book and they said they will! I’m excited to read it

[@cameronfielder4955]

I love your content Garrett, and this recreation you put together was awesome! You’re great, man.

[@donaldauguston9740]

I love these videos. Your friends are really good sports.

[@kenboydart]

Now where else can you find information like this on the net ???? Huh ? Nowhere …………..love it

[@mikeross641]

How unexpectedly hilarious and as usual, informative! :-)

[@kenefdz]

Never have I seen a box of Franzia consumed so intelligently! Loved this video -- had me chuckling all the way through, especially when it came time to substitute items with contemporary ones. Kottabos will never be the same at my house!

[@Crossword131]

I love this channel so much. It feels like someone dug into my id and said "yep, we can do that." And then did -- with full scholarly attention to detail.

[@416dl]

Jovial times...haha. As for that mixing bowl; hope you will explore a little bit about what, besides water, they mixed into their wine; I refer to the recent explorations on that subject by your fellow classical researcher Brian Muraresku and his remarkable book "the Immortality Key".

[@eternalrecurrence6042]

this was a dope learning experience thanks man

[@GrandDawggy]

I enjoy the light hearted tone of this one 👍

[@Neillan]

Even if it's historical accuracy is suspect, this was pretty wholesome, ngl. Really enjoyed the video!

[@sparklesparklesparkle6318]

im glad you and your friends had a wonderful evening.

[@microcolonel]

I wish all symposia were at least a little more like this. Just me and the boys, some floutists, and watered down wine.

[@drpavel_]

This is such a wonderful channel

[@zac2780]

Hands down my favourite chanel

[@novalone3211]

This video has such good vibes Gods bless 🙏🙏

[@mmmhhhwaffles4785]

Great stuff

[@cgygflkj]

Absolutely amazing

[@nancyM1313]

Well done👏🏾

[@rustyshackelford3590]

I had a life in Ancient Greek class today and this was the subject of the day what a coincidence.

[@twin3290]

love this vid

[@quandaledingle113]

Love this vid.

[@NLvideomaster]

I love this!

[@douglascoxjr.3117]

Omg...this is hilarious..so glad i found ur channel

[@jamestiberiuskirk4713]

Dude the picture at minute 1:39 is from a book that I remember from my childhood. One of my favourites. I think I still have it somewhere.

[@MerkhVision]

That looked like fun! I wanna try that with some friends some time

[@DanGoodShotHD]

Use of over the top proper language made this video hilarious! Good show.

[@koksalceylan9032]

Fantasticly made,funny.

[@factsoverfiction7826]

Kottabos must've been invented by a wine merchant. 😉

[@novalone3211]

"Stay thirst my friends, for knowledge" 😂

[@shawna620]

😄 Enjoyed that!

[@jbo7615]

This is awesome

[@Angelfeather100]

Among all gathered for the drinking game, dog included, you Garrett are the Greekest of them all. That eyebrow at 2:27!!… Your much awaited book is supposed to arrive by post in 2 days. Can’t wait! Question: you had a gender-mixed society for your game, but in ancient Greece were women also supposed to attend these drinking games, or was it just for men?

[@toldinstone]

Very glad to hear it! Greek symposia were all male, though female entertainers were often involved.

[@Angelfeather100]

@@toldinstone Thank you for answering, Garrett. So the attendance to the celebration was not as strict as for the Bona Dea in ancient Rome, with that famous incident and the drama concerning Julius Caesar’s wife - whom he divorced as a result… (because she should have been above any suspicion). Famous festivals in ancient Rome might be another interesting topic for a future video.

[@deewesthill4705]

Heteiras, a class of young courtesans and entertainers, sometimes attended symposia.

[@234dB]

Epic Doc.

[@thefreshvince879]

i honestly think if this channel had higher production quality, it would have more views, but that's not what it's about. its about information first and i cant get enough ancient history. i love stuff like this! keep it up!

[@richardsleep2045]

Got to love historical recreations :)

[@FuzzyLoad]

That symposium ratio could have been legendary

[@spunj]

Among everything I learned, I'm quite interested in the fact that I learned the origin of the word, Crater.

[@brianmckeever5280]

Well...that looks like a lot of fun.

[@cherylsmith4826]

I came for the topic but stayed for the bedsheets

[@lightdark00]

6:02 got a great laugh out of me! 😆

[@kellyb1420]

Loved the thumb nail!

[@playmsbk]

For the classical Greek period Athens symposium that this recreation draws from, I think that 2 parts water 1 part wine would be considered too undiluted, in my knowledge a 4 to 1 ratio was the norm. However if you have knowledge to the contrary, I'd love to learn.

[@toldinstone]

There was always a range of opinion about the proper proportion (I seem to recall a lengthy discussion in Athenaeus to that effect), but most of the wine at symposia was probably between two-thirds and three-quarters water. I kept the wine at my party a little stronger, since Franzia does not dilute well...

[@henryeccleston7381]

To speak as a priest of Dionysus, I will absolutely be doing this sort of thing

[@Randoplants]

I love the low budget nature of this, how jazzed everyone looks to be there, and also how this seems like a fantastic way to socialize while social distancing.

[@semjones564]

Please make a series about ancient Egyptian history :)

[@ciaotiziocaius4899]

This was so funny to watch

[@jorgeo1492]

6:03 lmao we resorted to desperate measures

[@victorstroganov8135]

my favorite video has now been defined

[@susangailkoch3935]

Best video on KZbin! 😂

[@Gabtchko]

You are my favorite historian :)

[@libslayer4280]

The exact recreation of the ancient wine box was spot on. Lol

[@Suntanned]

best. video. yet.

[@zaptolite2719]

This video is so academic i love it

[@gross_punk9539]

Oh this is going to be interesting

[@JJoeisCooking]

I'm sure finding people willing to work for wine and pizza was pretty easy. Good times.

[@bes03c]

I laughed aloud multiple times throughout this video.

[@silver_tongue9644]

I love it:D

[@alkeenan7906]

I need to watch this later but lmao. I used to steal Franzia and sneak it into school in water bottles.

[@phoule76]

like a modern Theseus

[@Metroidkeeper]

As soon as I saw the thumbnail I had to give the video a like 🤣

[@neusci]

HAHAHAHA! Man! I love this! I'm a fan, first saw your stuff on reddit. Love the stuff you put out there! I ordered your book, too. I'm in academia (sort of, clinical not traditional) myself. Would love if I could get my copy of your book signed. If you're cool with that and have a PO Box or University address, please DM me it. P.S. Costco has Kirkland boxed wine that is actually not terrible. Way better than Franzia.

[@toldinstone]

Glad you enjoyed it! Unfortunately, I don't have a PO box for signing books (I've been encouraging people to buy signed copies from bookstores I've visited) - but I hope to do some sort of bona fide book tour next year. With any luck, I'll be coming to a city near you then!

[@neusci]

@@toldinstone Gotcha. I pre-ordered a while back, so didn't follow about the signing. I'll keep an eye out for your tour. May I recommend South Orange County in CA as a stop? 😁

[@Booka60]

OMG! I feel like I just went through Ancient Greece with my mouth open!

[@marcussmith4913]

Im not sure what im watching here but was entertaining though thanks now I know some drinking games.

[@sethmangini6671]

Man, I want to party with these guys! Planning a reunion for my high school Latin class friends, gives me ideas for some drinking games while we watch I Claudius...

[@ostsan8598]

Ah yes, that best of all ancient Greek cuisine: pizza.

[@jimjimsauce]

all jokes aside, your hostas are lovely!!

[@andrenewcomb3708]

Do they have trouble getting light? Or is your house on the south side?

[@brandonjohnson801]

LOL, this is great.

[@alksi1]

Man, i cant even drink two bottles of wine and i hurl them all out and they drink like 3-4 bottles to warm up, no need to mention that ancient grecian wine is known to be stronger than modern wine.

[@Tonyx.yt.]

no way ancient wine was stronger than modern, just because in the past oxidation of wine was inevitable so some alchol become acetic acid. also today's wine are 1 abv on average stronger than mid 1900's

[@Holygiant]

@@Tonyx.yt. also like the video said they mixed it with lots of water

[@MiciusPorcius]

I second this; best thumbnail

[@freeman7079]

Bunch a dorks! I love it!

[@Mxkckenfjjckx]

incredible

[@susanjaeger5645]

I gotta say... That was a riot Alice!! 😂😀😭🥂🍷