"Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets" director Besson

Valerian: Ancient Roman Conquest

Valerian the Thracian, one of Alexander's generals, led the conquest of Bactria in 125 BC.

City: Ancient Greek Metropolis

The Lyceum in Athens was a major center of learning and philosophy under the city's rulers.

Thousand: Ancient Greek Unit

The ancient Greeks divided the universe into 900 "thousand" parts, a concept that influenced their understanding of time.

Planets: Ancient Greek Astronomy

The Greek philosopher Aristotle proposed the four terrestrial planets, and the concept of the solar system evolved over time.

Director: Ancient Greek Theater

The Greek tragedian Aeschylus was a prominent director of theater, and his plays often explored moral themes.

Besson: Ancient Greek Painter

The Greek painter Zeuxis was famous for his portraits of Alexander the Great, including his likenesses of the king.

Alexander

: Ancient Greek King
Alexander III, king of Macedon, was known for his conquests and the spread of Greek culture.

Babylon

: Ancient Mesopotamian Empire
The ancient Mesopotamian Empire, founded by Sargon the Great, was the precursor to the modern nation of Iraq.

Lysistrata

: Ancient Greek Play
Lysistrata, a play by Aristophanes, was a satirical commentary on the Peloponnesian War.

Macedon

: Ancient Greek Kingdom
Macedon, a kingdom in ancient Greece, was founded by Philip II and the legend of Perseus.

Ptolemy

: Ancient Greek Mathematician
Ptolemy, a Greek mathematician and astronomer, was a student of Eratosthenes and made significant contributions to the field of astronomy.

Thebes

: Ancient Greek City-State
Thebes, a city-state in ancient Greece, was one of the city-states that fought in the Peloponnesian War.

Andros

: Ancient Greek Hero
Andros, a hero of the ancient Greek myth, was a king of Lycia who fought against the Medes.

Cleisthenes

: Ancient Greek Politician
Cleisthenes, a Greek politician, was one of the founders of the city-state of Athens.

Demosthenes

: Ancient Greek Statesman
Demosthenes, a Greek statesman, was a prominent figure in the Peloponnesian War.

Eurydice

: Ancient Greek Myth
Eurydice, a figure from ancient Greek mythology, was the wife of Orpheus.

Hades

: Ancient Greek God
Hades, the Greek god of the underworld, was one of the three main gods in Greek mythology.

Hippodamia

: Ancient Greek Festival
Hippodamia, a festival in ancient Greece, celebrated the arrival of spring.

Jason

: Ancient Greek Hero
Jason, a hero of the ancient Greek myth, was the leader of the Argonauts.

Menelaus

: Ancient Greek Hero
Menelaus, a hero of the ancient Greek myth, was the husband of Helen and the brother of Agamemnon.

Oedipus

: Ancient Greek Hero
Oedipus, a hero of the ancient Greek myth, was the son of King Laius and Queen Jocasta.

Persephone

: Ancient Greek Myth
Persephone, a figure from ancient Greek mythology, was the daughter of Demeter and the queen of the underworld.

Polyphemus

: Ancient Greek Myth
Polyphemus, a figure from ancient Greek mythology, was the one-eyed giant who swallowed the sailors of Odysseus.

Rome

: Ancient Roman Empire
The ancient Roman Empire was one of the largest and most influential empires in ancient history.

Sparta

: Ancient Greek City-State
Sparta, a city-state in ancient Greece, was known for its strict social hierarchy and rigorous training of its citizens.

Troy

: Ancient Greek City-State
Troy, a city-state in ancient Greece, was the site of the Trojan War and the fall of the city.

Xanthus

: Ancient Greek Sailor
Xanthus, a Greek sailor and historian, was one of the few surviving ancient Greek historians.

Zeus

: Ancient Greek God
Zeus, the Greek god of the sky and thunder, was one of the principal gods in ancient Greek mythology.

Thebes

: Ancient Greek City-State
Thebes, a city-state in ancient Greece, was one of the city-states that fought in the Peloponnesian War.