Greg Beyer
Verified AuthorEditor

Greg Beyer

South Africa

@greg-beyer

AuthorEditorHistorian
Member since Nov 01, 2021
South Africa
476 published articles

Greg is an editor specializing in African history as well as the history of conflict from prehistoric times to the modern era. A prolific writer, he has authored over 400 articles for TheCollector. He is a former teacher with a BA in History & Linguistics from the University of Cape Town. Greg excels in academic writing and finds artistic expression through drawing and painting in his free time.

Education

BA History University of Cape Town

BA Linguistics University of Cape Town

Journalism Diploma CityVarsity

Areas of Expertise

African HistoryWorld HistoryHistory of Conflict
Ancient Greek statues and mythological line drawing

8 Guardians Who Protected the Underworld in Greek Mythology

From dogs to gods, the Greek underworld was full of guardians, dutifully keeping the world of the dead apart from the world of the living.

Read article
Dante and Virgil meeting Charon by boat

Why Did Charon Require a Coin to Get You to the Underworld?

In Greek mythology, before one’s soul can enter the realm of the dead, one must deal with Charon, the fierce ferryman who guards the waters of Hades.

Read article
Paintings of Circe

15 Paintings of Circe Throughout the Ages

From ancient Greece to the modern day, Circe, from Homer’s Odyssey, has been a popular subject for artists.

Read article
Van Gogh portrait over Starry Night background

The Emotional Pains That Shaped Van Gogh’s Art and How to See Them on the Canvas

From dark and depressing tones to vibrant canvases saturated with color, Van Gogh’s art acts as a window into his emotional turmoil and his difficult life.

Read article
Two female warriors in royal attire

The Warrior Queen Tomyris Who Defeated the Persian Empire

A shrewd and formidable leader and warrior, Tomyris humbled the superpower that was the Persian Empire under Cyrus the Great.

Read article
Zhang Qian statue and Silk Road map

How Zhang Qian Accidentally Opened the Silk Road

On a mission to create an alliance, Zhang Qian built something else entirely with information brought back from the west.

Read article
Reconstruction of Neanderthal man and child

Neanderthals vs Homo Sapiens: The Similarities and Differences Between the Species

Neanderthals had unique biological traits that exemplify their evolutionary trajectory, shaped by factors that differed markedly from those experienced by Homo sapiens.

Read article
what happened stalin children

What Happened to Stalin’s Children? A Look Into Their Tragic Lives

Joseph Stalin fathered several children, all of whom ended up living difficult lives.

Read article
Ancient Mesopotamian relief of Enheduanna

The Life of Enheduanna History’s First Author and High Priestess of Ur

A powerful religious and royal figure, Enheduanna took the written word and made it her own.

Read article
Orientalist paintings of Moorish guard and mosque

10 Most Famous Orientalist Paintings

In the 19th century, Orientalist painters wowed the audiences of Europe with incredible paintings of exotic wonder.

Read article
Greek hoplite and Rocroi, the Last Tercio (1643) by Augusto Ferrer-Dalmau

How the Spear Became the Weapon That Shaped Empires

From the depths of prehistory to the modern age, the spear has been one of the most prominent weapons of all time.

Read article
Two classical paintings depicting Aeneas and souls in the Underworld

7 Realms of the Dead in Greek Mythology

The ancient Greek concept of the afterlife was complex, with many places a soul could end up after death.

Read article