Ancient Greece was a civilization that began during the archaic period of the 8th to 6th centuries B.C. The Greeks were polytheistic in religion, worshipping the 12 Olympian gods and goddess. Zeus (Jupiter) was the chief god in charge, followed by his brother Poseidon (Neptune), and Hades (Pluto). Neptune and Pluto were then followed by Hestia (Vesta), Hera (Juno) who was both Jupiter’s sister and wife, Ares (Mars) who was the son of Jupiter and Juno, Athena (Minerva), Apollo, Aphrodite (Venus), Hermes (Mercury), depicted in Giacomo Amiconi’s painting “Mercury about to Slay Argus” above. Artemis (Diana) and lastly Hera’s son Hephaestus (Vulcan). These gods and goddess were not equal in power and also rained over different aspects of human lives as well as nature. The 12 Olympians were all the children of the titans who were defeated by Jupiter, who was famously known for caring a lightning bolt, but also for the many affairs he had outside of his marriage with Juno, who was both his wife and sister. In the Greek society, being looked upon favorably was essential for the family and community so despite the not so godly actions committee by the gods/goddess, they were still respected and worshipped. The Greek gods and goddess were intricately connected to every aspect of the Greek daily life; “it was both social and practical” (Spielvogel). Public functions served specific purposes, those purposes were to prepare the boys to be warriors and the girls to be mothers. Giacomo
The Greek society believed in polytheism. They believed that their were many gods and that each god has the power to control different aspects of nature. In this paper I will be explaining why this has come to be. I will also tell you about the fact that no matter what the Greek Gods do it will affect the Greek Society, and no matter what the Greek Society does it will affect themselves or the Greek Gods.
In examining the impact that the ancient world has had on modern Western civilization, the two ancient civilizations which are frequently understood as having had the greatest influence are Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome. These two civilizations would eventually come to shape much of what would become the modern European culture, politics and society, and by extension, a vast proportion of global culture and society. In examining the trajectory of modern history in an era of globalization of Western ideas and modes of living, the importance of these civilizations in world history is extensive, contributing to cultural, political and social trends which may well dominate the globe in the future.
Erudition, innovation, sophistication, every word and thousands more are associated with the name Greece. Steeped in complex lore, mythology, and history, it stands as a turning point in European culture. Its ideas and inventions are responsible for shaping many future events and turning the tide in science, art, and philosophy. At one time a group of city states, Greece was dominated by two centers a cultural one, Athens, and a military one, Sparta. Athens is probably best known for its playwrights, its philosophers, and the Acropolis. Sparta on the other hand is remembered as a military marvel where courage was the highest virtue. Legend tells that it had no walls for its best and only defense was its citizens’ valor
In Robert Garland’s book, Ancient Greece: Everyday Life in the Birthplace of Civilization, he illustrates what life was like for men, women, children, and slaves living in ancient Greece and the impact it had on modern civilization. Each city state of ancient Greece had their own rituals and beliefs that influenced everything from warfare to raising children. The question is, were these rituals and beliefs made up for the benefit of the state? Males and females had their own individual roles in serving the city state. There were rituals and beliefs specifically for children and their transition into adulthood. Greek children were raised and educated to be able to fulfill their roles to benefit the state.
In the ancient Greek world, religion was personal, direct, and present in its citizens’ daily lives. During this time, they participated in animal sacrifices and offerings, created myths to explain the beginning of the human race and gave reverence to their gods by building temples which controlled the urban landscape. They also participated in local festivals and sporting and artistic competitions. Religion was never out of the presence of ancient Greece’s citizens. While they may have made up their own mind on the terms of their religious beliefs, some may have been completely confused if these gods actually existed. There were certain fundamental beliefs that must have been sufficiently widespread, in order for the Greek government to function. In ancient Greece, gods existed, they influenced human concerns, and they welcomed and responded to acts of godliness and worship.
When people wonder about Ancient Greece the first thing that comes to their minds is Greek mythology; gods and goddesses that have helped shape many historical events. “In ancient Greece, stories about gods and goddesses and heroes and monsters were an important part of everyday life.” (“Greek Mythology.”) The civilization showed that numerous characters and stories helped shape Greeks. The beliefs the Greeks had with mythologies was they understood the meaning behind all the characters that are known today. However, to the Greeks, they were not just characters, these were their gods and goddesses who gave them meaning and understanding of the world around them. Worshiping the gods and goddesses helped them with their religious rituals and the temperament of the weather. A famous wine-jar that was made during this time period was “Achilles killing the Amazon Queen Penthesilea, 540-530 BCE, black-figured amphora”. (Khan Academy) The civilization that they lived in grew around their worship and achievements.
1. During the Mycenaean civilization, who was the great poet and what were his two important literary works that influenced the Greeks and formed part of Western literature? Homer, The Iliad, The Odyssey
Ancient Greece had a major impact on the Western World due to many factors. Documents 1 and 2 reveal that the Western World has been impacted by political factors of the ancient Greeks, whille documents 4, and 5 show us that the Western World was impacted due to cultural reasons.
Socrates and Aristotle were both Greek philosophers who contributed philosophies. Socrates believed that all people contained real knowledge within them and that self critical examination was needed to bring this knowledge out. Socrates once stated, “The unexamined life is not worth living.” In this philosophical idea, Socrates is suggesting that an individual, who chooses to not think about their own actions, does not truly care about their own life. Aristotle believed in the concept of examining individual objects and being able to perceive their form and establish universal principles. These principles did not exist as a separate higher world of reality beyond material things, but were apart of things themselves. Aristotle has
Towering mountains. Bright blue seas. Glittering white temples dedicated to the gods. Though Ancient Greece was made up of many different regions and colonies, these 3 things were almost always in view. The ancient Greeks worshiped many different gods and goddesses that each controlled something in the mortal world. What was different about their gods and goddesses was that they were very human like. They looked like mortals, had thoughts like mortals, and they even quarreled with each other like we do. Ancient Greek religion is also known as Greek Mythology, Classical Religion, and Classical Mythology. Though whatever people call it, decisions made in Ancient Greece were heavily influenced by their religion.
In today’s time people always say that everything that seems to be “new” is just really something remade from the past. Throughout time and space works of art and literature spread around and are adapted to what a certain culture needs. This glocalizing means taking the original form and manipulating it so it can best fit the audience in which is viewing it. Whether it be translating something from one language to another or even completely changing something that was intended for adults so it could be easy for children to learn. Similarly, in the transition between the Ancient Greece and Ancient Roman Empires so many aspects of the Grecian culture is adapted by the Romans but they glocalize it in order to get more Romans on board with what the Greeks thought of. Even the Ancient Roman writer and philosopher Seneca glocalized Euripides’ play Hippolytus. Despite the five hundred year time difference between Euripides’ Hippolytus and Seneca’s Phaedra, Seneca makes his best attempt to copy the play but including aspects of the Roman culture he lived in. The culture gap between Ancient Greece and Rome ultimately affects how the readers perceive the story and how different the two tales actually are.
Civilization is the period in which humans develop and organize their community in an advanced form in different aspects. As time was fleeting the ancient Greek civilization was starting to shape and adopt many alterations which started to center a more stable community. Just as the Greeks there were other civilizations developing some similar to the Greeks attributes and some differing them in different aspects.
Use this study guide to prepare for the test. Remember, you need to be able to describe, explain, and provide examples for all of the questions. Writing one or two words will not show me that you understand the information. Since this is a study guide, you do not need to use complete sentences, but you must include all of the important information. Use a separate piece of paper for more space to write. Test is on Friday, April 22nd
Throughout the course of time, different civilizations across the world hold one thing in common by which a society or culture can be based upon or help influence the structure. The one common thing that has help a civilization grow throughout the period of time would be the formation of a religion. Religion is a center point for many societies throughout history. As the center for the different civilizations, it helped form their different traditions and customs. The same could be said about the people of ancient Greece, where religion or mythology played an important role in their lives as it was the pedestal of their culture and how they base their lives upon. The formation of a religion across the large number of regions of Greece, help the different locations mold themselves by the customs that were created from the adaptation. During what was known as Ancient Greece, the people would hear tales of the twelve Olympians and how their actions influence the world around them. Within this period of time for the people of Greece was that of growth, as they sought to bring new ideas into light as they exited from a dark period within their own history.
Every idea has a start and a history that can be traced back in time. An incredible amount of these ideas and thoughts were started by great ancient civilizations. These ancient civilizations are the base of all modern knowledge. No ancient civilization has contributed more to this base than the civilization of Ancient Greece. The unique ways of ancient Greek agriculture have left a profound influence on the agriculture of today.