Classical vs. Hellenistic Periods Essay

But between the Sophists and Socrates there was a fundamental difference. The Sophists showed that equally good arguments could be advanced on either side of any issue; they were skeptics who doubted that there could be any certain or reliable knowledge. On the other hand, Socrates was committed to the pursuit of truth and considered it his mission to seek out certain knowledge. Unlike philosophers before them, Sophists claimed to be wise enough to teach whatever you might want to know as long as you were willing to pay them the required fees. Sophists traveled more than ordinary Greeks and they learned that there is a real variety of correct ways to do things depending upon ones perspective. They believed there was no universally appropriate way of doing anything. Therefore there can be no absolutes of any kind. Appearances are reality, at least the only reality any of us can know. They were extremely doubtful about the possibility of discovering anything that was really true. Instead, they taught their followers how to get along in the world, without certain knowledge. They taught their followers how to win disputes, how to speak well and convincingly how to succeed. Their underlying theory developed from two remarks of two of the leading Sophists. Protagoras, perhaps the greatest of the Sophists, said Main is the measure of all things and Gorgias, another great sophist, proclaimed, Nothing exists, and if it did, no one could know it, and if they

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.

The definitions of Archaic, Classic and Hellenistic that I have learned in this class, Which I think we are in the midst of today in terms of Art and society as a whole were archaic and classic . Talking about archaic according to me attained and were very distinctive style. In some ways this style was a combined with old geometric style and the newer influences from the East where as it influence Architecture, sculpture, panting. There were various building temples that were building in archaic period which carry the symbolic belief in the terms of honoring their gods. Greek temples were built in three different styles, like Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian. Each of these styles carry myth and ritual is known to identify by the distinctive design

Religion and government played an important role in lives of Grecians and Romans during ancient times. Both nations were polytheistic and militaristic, however only Rome switched to Christianity, broke up, (rather than collapsed), after national conflict and was centralized. Both Grecians and Romans were polytheistic. Because Greece and Rome were two of the earliest civilizations, the ignorance of this earlier time prevailed. People were unsure of why certain events could occur, (like the rising and setting of a sun), and set out to delegate a position and meaning for all of the Gods they dreamed up.

The Classical Age, which happened between the fifth and fourth century, was a period in time where both the Greek city-states and the Roman Republic powerfully influenced the foundation of western civilization. The Ancient Greeks and the Romans both started off as small city-states, but after establishing their new innovations and governments, they gradually transformed into powerful states. After the victory of the Persian war, Athens competed with Sparta for the leadership of Greece and then established the Athenian Empire during what is now known as the Golden Age (500-400 B.C.E) and made their government very democratic. On the other hand, the Romans got rid of their monarchy and became a Republic state and with its strong values and beliefs,

Ancient Greece society is very similar to the modern day society because it both did one common thing which is the essence of the culture remained same throughout the centuries even though technology, fashion and Western influence have brought some changes to it. Some things that made their culture and customs so rich were the art, architecture such as sculptures by famous artists, paintings and infrastructure. Greeks were very advanced in sports and art which made their daily life more interesting and meaningful. Greek enjoyed rich food and mixed music and dance as part of their meal. One of the most important things about Greek culture is their religion such as gods who they prayed to and temples where they prayed. Even though we don’t

Hellenistic culture emphasized the importance of the individual. This brought on the growth of art, literature, and philosophers. Along with this, libraries were also formed. Greece began to have a more centralized power. Rather than having segregated, democratic city-states or Alexander’s empire, they developed different types of kingdoms. Agriculture also experienced major improvements,

The Hellenistic period starts during the Hellenistic civilization, one of the Art forms used during this period was Fresco, the art of painting on plaster walls. Before painting the walls they had to be prepared with a thin layer of white lime plaster. Then using a sharp instrument they would outline the features and sketched all the details, colors were applied after. This medium was used to paint the interior of villas; places were covered with imaginative impressions of life and nature. Fresco artists were usually supported by royalty and wealthier members of

The core concepts of ancient skepticism are suspension of judgment, and criterion of truth, appearances, and investigation. The Greek word skepsis means investigation (Vogt). Since they call them selves Skeptics, the ancient Skeptics were known as investigators. Skeptics were also knows as “those who suspend” meaning that their investigations lead them to suspended judgment (Vogt). Skepticism is a life faithful to investigation, as long as knowledge has not been achieved, the skeptic’s aspirer to not support anything. Like the Stoics and Epicureans the skeptics followed a practical goal, inner peace and independence (Ricken 220). They assume they can only reach this goal by making a justified judgment about reality (Ricken 220). I will argue

Hellenistic and Roman Ethics can be divided into two theories. The first theory is Epicureanism. This theory is the belief that humans seek a pleasant life, and that the best way to a pleasant life is by moderate satisfaction. Epicureanism believes there are three kinds of human desires, natural, natural but not necessary, and empty desires caused by society. Natural desires are those a human cannot live without, such as food, water, shelter, friendship, and happiness. Natural but unnecessary desires are those that humans can live without, one example being love, not in the sense of intercourse. Empty desires are ones caused by society and are superficial desires that are self-defeating, including religious superstition and glorifying wealth

The fall democracy in ancient Greece started as an external aggression, in Athens people used to vote against their democratic constitution. Another of the reasons of the fallen democracy in Greece were because of Plato and Aristotle and it was because this two great philosophers used their works to discredit the Periclean democratically practices. The end of the war between the Persians and the Greeks marked the easement into the Classical period. Greece then became a part of the Roman Empire, this period was a period of transformation to the Greek society. During this era there was an increase on their population and a more urban lifestyle emerged which brought the cities to overcrowd. After all this movements the Greeks were forced to move to new lands in the east

The Hellenistic Times and Classical Times were each a period where the circumstances, lifestyles, and thought processes that people lived by were different in their respective societies. Although it is evident that both time periods are distinguishable, it does not mean that they share no connection towards each other at all. For I will compare, contrast, and explain the differences between the two and showcase the contributions that both eras gave to the world at the time they were made.

The path from Hellenistic to Roman art is continuous. Etruscan and Judaic influences can be seen in this evolution which follows the established pattern of continuity and transformation. The following discussion will provide a few examples of art that illustrate this evolution from Hellenistic to a unique Roman art form.

Mythology is the history and beliefs of a people who were able to see the magic in the world all around them. “Today their alters are empty, their great temples in ruins. But the gods of the ancient Greeks and Romans live on in powerful myths that have borne retelling for countless generations.(Fandex 1)”. Greek mythology and its Roman counter part have fascinated people for ages. Despite their similarities Greek and Roman mythology has key differences: in the Gods names, what they are based off of, ideologies and stories of creation. Although these stories were told centuries ago, they can still relate to us today.

Skepticism—From Ancient Greeks to Descartes The word skeptic is derived from “skepsis,” a Greek noun for examination, inquiry, and consideration. Skepticism can be defined in two ways-- one being “a skeptical attitude, as the truth of something” and “the theory that certain knowledge is impossible.” To understand what skepticism was we will stick with the second definition; certain knowledge is impossible to attain and if it is attain any uncertainty or doubt should be doubted.