Parties in ancient Greece were wild, with evidence of copious alcohol and sex. That’s the popular idea that endures today.

But there were different types of parties at the time. Not all involved lots of alcohol and debauchery. Some featured moderate eating and drinking, and intellectual conversation.

So what actually went on at these parties? And how exactly do you party like an ancient Greek?

Ancient Greek historian Idomeneus of Lampsacus (4th–3rd century BCE) tells us the Greeks began partying in the 6th century BCE. He said that’s when two members of Athens’ ruling class started the trend:

Hippias and Hipparchus invented parties and wandering the streets drunk; this is why they were surrounded by a large number of horses and many friends.

The Greek writer Athenaeus (2nd century CE) provided more evidence for the role of alcohol at parties. He wrote that the Greek Macedonian nobleman Proteas (4th–3rd century BCE) declared at a party he once attended:

he who drinks most will........

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