In ancient Greece, a unique and symbolic custom was used by men to declare their love and propose to women. This practice involved throwing an apple at the object of their affection. The act of tossing an apple was not merely a playful gesture but a profound declaration of love and intention to marry.<img src="/uploads/apple_of_discord_3e4d444ec1.jpg" alt="apple of discord.jpg" srcset="/uploads/thumbnail_apple_of_discord_3e4d444ec1.jpg 226w,/uploads/small_apple_of_discord_3e4d444ec1.jpg 500w,/uploads/medium_apple_of_discord_3e4d444ec1.jpg 750w," sizes="100vw">@Brad Smithfield/thevintagenews.comIf the woman caught the apple or threw it back, it signified that she reciprocated the man's feelings and was prepared to marry him. This mutual exchange indicated her acceptance of the proposal and willingness to enter into a marital relationship with the potential groom. The origin of this custom is explained by two legends.The first legend concerns the "apple of discord," which sparked the Trojan War. This apple was to be given to the most beautiful woman, but the goddesses Hera, Athena, and Aphrodite quarreled over it, leading to the war.The second legend tells of the warlike maiden Atalanta. She forced her potential suitors to compete with her in a foot race, and those who lost were executed. However, Hippomenes scattered golden apples along the course, and when Atalanta stopped to pick them up, she fell behind and lost the race, thus having to marry him.

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Funny Traditions that Made Apples a Symbol of Love in Ancient Greece

The Leaning Tower of Pisa, known for its tilt, is not going to fall anytime soon. Experts predict that thanks to a successful restoration project, it will stand for at least another 200 years, and possibly forever.<img src="/uploads/Tower_of_Pisa_648acdf71b.jpg" alt="Tower of Pisa .jpg" srcset="/uploads/thumbnail_Tower_of_Pisa_648acdf71b.jpg 238w,/uploads/small_Tower_of_Pisa_648acdf71b.jpg 500w,/uploads/medium_Tower_of_Pisa_648acdf71b.jpg 750w," sizes="100vw">From the very beginning of its construction in 1174 on unstable ground, the tower began to lean southward. This tilt affected its structure: the architects, attempting to "compensate" for the lean, built the upper floors with a tilt in the opposite direction, giving the tower its characteristic banana-like shape.Over the centuries, careless construction projects only worsened the situation, and by 1990, the tower's tilt had reached a critical angle of 5.5 degrees. According to calculations, it was supposed to collapse at 5.44 degrees. However, fortunately, the predictions of the computer model did not come true, and engineers developed a reconstruction plan.Restoration work carried out from 1999 to 2001 stabilized the tower. Engineers placed counterweights on the north side and partially removed the soil underneath, causing the tower to return to a more vertical position slowly. Now, the tilt of the Leaning Tower of Pisa is only 3.99 degrees. Even in the event of strong earthquakes or other unforeseen catastrophes, engineers are confident that it will withstand and remain standing for at least several centuries.

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How Engineers Stopped the Leaning Tower of Pisa from Falling - a Story that will Make You Wonder

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Funny Traditions that Made Apples a Symbol of Love in Ancient Greece

How Engineers Stopped the Leaning Tower of Pisa from Falling - a Story that will Make You Wonder

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