Greek Culture And Greco-Roman Culture

As the Greek and Roman empires ascended immensely throughout the western world, new ideas changed the way the Mediterranean Society handled things, which were spread across the globe. “The rise of the series of city-states of classical Greece began in the ninth century B.C.E. and during the late sixth century B.C.E, Rome’s development as a republic began as Etruscan society declined”(Bentley et al, 2008 p.132, 145). The development of these empires encouraged cultural circulation, blending the culture of the two empires into the land it conquered. As Greece and Rome gained more territory within the Mediterranean society, they began to progress toward a more civilized order of humanity. How were they alike? How were they different? How did

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.

In both Greek and Roman civilizations, mythology played an important part in their empire’s success. Both of these civilizations were polytheistic religions. Likewise, they had major and minor gods and goddesses as part of their religion as well. However, since the Roman Empire conquered many cultures including the Greeks, their gods blended with many similarities with the gods that the Ancient Greeks worshipped.

If there was anything that Rome and Greece where known for it was there brute military and ruthless violence that brought both empires to the top. Although many people don't see it Rome and Greece did have many similarities in their militaries. One thing that both

Greek culture influenced the Roman Empire and many other cultures, including the Western Civilization. Greek culture influenced the Olympic Games, books, movies and many other objects in the Western Civilization which shows without it, there would not be some advancements there is today. Roman culture used Greek culture and religion as a foundation. For example, the Roman gods there are today are the same as Greeks gods, but named differently. If comparisons were made between the Greek and Roman gods and goddesses, Zeus would be Jupiter, Poseidon would be

The Romans borrowed almost all of its mythology from Greece. The only thing the Romans changed was the names of the Greek gods. And the Greek gods lasted much longer Greece. That is another reason Greece was better than Rome.

Thesis: The Greek influence of outstanding culture, gods, and their beautiful art to the Romans’ they took this inspiration on to their own creation. Both ancient build devotion to their gods they would bring the most precious things to them temples, however, they would focus on making large empire to rule and to take control of their city-states.

Romans borrowed Greek gods and myths, the Greek alphabet, Greek literature, and Greek architecture and incorporated them into Roman culture.

“In the modern mind (at least in the modern American mind) Greek and Roman culture and mythology are classed together. An indication of this is that the academic study of the Ancient Greeks and Romans are general put into the same Classics department.”(http://www.hol.gr/greece/mythology/gvrIntro.html) Greek mythology had more individual gods, gods that would have unique characteristics and flaws. There were gods for just

Despite being fierce rivals on the battlefield, Greece had a great impact on many of the aspects that made Rome such a strong and beautiful empire. “Conflict between the two powers [Greece and Rome] arose in the 3rd century as Roman expansion in South Italy and Sicily encroached on Greek colonies located there” (“Greece and Rome”). “Agelaos of Naupaktos… spoke of the urgent need for peace, stating that ‘for if the cloud rising in the west should reach Greece, we shall be praying heaven to give us back the chance to call our very quarrels our own”’ (“Greece, History of” 2: 111-128). Peace was never reached; Greece and Rome continued to fight over territory until the official end of Greek civilization in 146 B.C. with their defeat at Corinth (“Greece, History of” 2: 111-128). Despite this defeat, their constant contact with Roman civilization over hundreds of years ensured their civilization would never truly die. As the Greeks and Romans exchanged land, goods, and ideas with each other, many of the most important parts of Greek civilization become a part of Rome’s identity as well. The aesthetics of Greece, specifically the art, architecture, and literature, may have had the most significant influence of all on Roman culture. Ancient Greece greatly impacted the aesthetics of the Roman Empire.

The culture of Greece and Rome did not establish a central major religion. Instead, the Greco-Roman religion was characterized by the belief in several gods and goddesses who governed human life. Initially, the Romans had their own set of gods of worship, but after influence from Greece resulting from Roman settlements in the Greek peninsula, Greek gods were integrated into Roman beliefs. Although Greece and Rome differed in their

When the Romans conquered Greece, not only did they discover that the Greeks had much to offer, but the Romans eventually adopted and built upon many of the Greek traditions. In terms of religion,

De Fabianis, Valeria Manferto, ed. Ancient Rome: History of a Civilization that Ruled the World. New York: Stewart, Tabori & Chang, 1996Grant, Michael. The Founders of the Western World: A History of Greece and Rome. New York: Charles Scribners Sons, Maxwell Macmillan Int., 1991Martin, Thomas R. Ancient Greece: From Prehistoric to Hellenistic Times. New Haven, Eng.: Yale University Press,

In around 428-65 BC, Greece and Rome were both creating new cultural ideals, ways of using government, and built allies to help benefit the country. Both Empires created similar cultures including cities,technology, complex institutions, record keeping and specialized works. Eventually when they began to expand into a vast empires, they had to come up with ways of organizing and obtaining enough resources for their people. This lead to complex trading tactics, forms of government, and social structure. Even though Rome and Greece were both critical to the creation of the United States, Rome was more influential due to the way it trades with other countries, glorified people of certain social positions, and structured its government.

Many often lump Greek and Roman culture into one movement. The Greeks were an influence on the Roman Empire in everything from their art, architecture, and mathematics to their political structure. Though they are separated by over 500 years, the building of the Parthenon and Pantheon were each hugely significant architectural strides for each culture. Each has their similarities, as well as differences. On a whole, they set the way for the architects of the future with their vision.