Oligarchy

Oligarchy

Author: Emmanuela Lia March 20, 2022 Duration: 1:06

(Piano music) 

Hello and welcome to Your Greek Word On A Sunday, a weekly, bite-size podcast for anyone curious on language, etymology and connections. I am your host, Emmanuela Lia and wherever you are in the world, if you want to entertain your brain for a few minutes, this is the podcast for you. Let's Go! 

Ancient Greece has seen a fair amount of different types of ruling, from Kings to Democracy and it's been a bumpy ride. Άρχειν (archin) is an ancient Greek infinitive and it means 'to rule'. It has lasted a very long time due to its use as a second component of combined words. One of the political systems or structures rather, that still, unofficially, exists in society, is the ruling of a few socially prominent men -who happen to be rich as well. Aristotle was the first to coin the term and link it to wealth. Ολίγοι (oligi) in Ancient Greek and Λίγοι (ligi) in modern, means 'the few' and combined with the infinitive means, 'the ruling of the few'. In England the word came from France in the 15th century and sadly it's a word that we hear often today. Ολιγαρχία/Oligarchy

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Each week, Emmanuela Lia offers a quiet, thoughtful moment with Your Greek Word On A Sunday. This award-nominated podcast explores the fascinating journey of language, focusing on a single Greek word that has found a home in everyday English. It’s a bite-sized piece of history and connection, released every Sunday. You’ll hear more than just a definition; each episode traces the word’s path from ancient roots to modern usage, revealing how ideas and culture travel and transform across centuries and continents. Emmanuela unpacks the stories embedded within these travelling words, showing how they silently shape our thinking and link us to a distant past. Listening to this podcast feels like uncovering a hidden layer of meaning in the language we use without a second thought. It’s for anyone curious about where words come from, how history echoes in our speech, and the subtle threads that connect different worlds. The gentle, weekly rhythm and focused format make it a perfect companion for a reflective morning or a calm evening, turning a simple etymological exploration into a consistent ritual of discovery.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 335

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