How Did Pericles Contribute To Western Civilization

The Greek historian Thucydides says that Pericles, an important political figure in Athens, gave a eulogy for the Athenians who had died in the first year of the Peloponnesian War. The speech that Pericles gave talked about all the great characteristics of Athenian society. According to Pericles, Athenian democracy allows citizens the freedom and power to participate in government. Pericles states that “no one, so long as he has it in him to be of service to the polis, is kept in political obscurity because of poverty. The freedom which we enjoy in our government extends also to our ordinary life.” This quotation shows that everybody, of any social class, is allowed to participate in political and governmental issues. No matter how poor you may be, you are not allowed to be kept away from politics in Athens if you can be helpful to the government. Pericles also states, “Power is in the hands not of a minority but of the whole people; this is why it is called democracy. This statement indicates that the power in Athens is spread amongst all the citizens, instead of giving all the power to one group, which describes the entire purpose for democracy.

Pericles takes time to laud democracy as a form of government. He believes the division of political power equally amongst citizens inevitably leads to laws that benefit the Athenian people as a whole. This in turn increase overall equality, and by extension, social mobility. Such a government is a just government in the eyes of Pericles, and thus, a shining example of Athenian superiority. “[Athens’] administration favors the many instead of the few; this is why it is called a democracy. If we look to the laws, they afford equal justice to all in their private differences; if no social standing, advancement in public life falls to reputation for capacity, class considerations not being allowed to interfere with merit; nor again does poverty bar the way, if a man is able to serve the state, he is not hindered by the obscurity of his condition.” (2.37.1).

Ancient Greece made many political contributions that influenced Western civilization regarding its government. Ancient Greece was the first country to use a democracy, making government more equal and centered on the people. Ancient Greece decided on a new type of government focusing on the people and what they want, according to their votes on government officials, and

The Government of the Athenian people had a large impact on western civilizations. In document three, Pericles states his beliefs about democracy. Pericles states that he believes all men that have the opportunity to take a part in their government should. America, a western civilization was greatly influenced by the Greek government. First of all, everyone has the opportunity to vote or to take

Ancient Greek culture had major influences on today’s culture; some of these influences include mathematics, government, art and architecture; they even did research in the field of medicine. Many cultures and religions have adapted their ideas from the ancient Greeks. Without the influences of the ancient Greeks our society wouldn’t be the way it is today. The Greek culture lasted from around 776 BCE to 146 BCE (though it is argued to have begun around 1000 BCE), during this time they invented many technologies and refined old technologies. These things are what caused the ancient Greek culture to be such a powerful influence on western society today.

The Ancient Greeks were the first to put the power of a nation in the hands of the average citizen, they created the idea of the democratic government, practiced as a direct democracy. Voting, political assembly, and official citizenship are all concepts that can be traced back to Classical Grecian ideas .The Romans developed the concept of the representative democracy .This was best

Ancient Greek culture beliefs and social ideas have helped us with American Education because it influences us with what is going on today. Ancient Greek influence affected us today with democracy, Ancient Greek actually created the world’s first democracy. Ancient Greek have helped us along with Math, History, and Literature. As a matter of fact, Ancient Greek where the first to invent new things along the years. For example, Greek where the first civilization to use the alphabet. Greek have help us over million years.

The Greek civilization contributed greatly to the development of modern Western culture. Three of the most important contribution that are the foundations of our society are Language, Philosophy, and Government.

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.

The Western world was highly influenced by the ancient Greeks. The Greeks changed the way the world looks at art, math, architecture, philosophy, sports, and drama. Without the ancient Greeks, the modern world would not be the same. Men such as Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle changed the way we look at philosophy. The Athenians created the first known democracy, setting the stage for future governments. The Euclidian Theorem and the Pythagorean Theorem among others made mathematics easier and more developed. Even current architecture can be traced back to the Parthenon and other pieces of Greek architecture. The Olympics even started in ancient Greece, creating one of the finest traditions the world has ever known. Without the ancient

Throughout history there have been many contributions to Western civilization made by the Ancient Greeks. The Ancient Greeks contributed in the areas of art, democracy, sports, architecture, theater, philosophy, math, and science. These contributions were the forefront and beginning ideals that were established so many years ago, but are still used today. They were responsible for many contributions to Western civilization, the Greeks had the first known democracy, they were known for their amazing architecture, and the Ancient Greek Olympics are still carried out today.

Ancient Greeks have had an significant influence on the western civilization. Greeks were the roots of many important contributions to modern culture. They were home to multiple beginnings in philosophy, architecture and medicine.

The freedom which we enjoy in our government extends also to our ordinary life” (Pericles’ Funeral Oration, Thucydides). In other words, it doesn’t matter what your social rank is, if you are a citizen of Athens, you have a right (and duty) to serve in the government. This is known as a direct democracy today, and it is where we, citizens of the United States, took inspiration for our current system of government. Pericles is right to praise the city-state in this regard, as its legacy still has effect on the world millenniums after its time.

He wanted to take away the divide between the rich and the poor. In 430 BC, Pericles gave a speech honouring the soldiers who were killed in the war. He first started by sharing his views on democracy, he spoke out for equality in the law making sure he mentioned the inequality between the rich and the poor. He initiated this by paying public officials. He changed the rule so that the poor could afford to hold office. Citizens had to be a free male, over 18 and the son of Athenian born parents. He made it more of a direct democracy where all citizens could participate in running the government. Pericles made sure it was clear that all individuals could vote on laws and that it wasn't limited depending on social class or wealth. It benefited Athenian society as everyone became equal and no one was favoured. It also boosted tourism as everyone was now able to visit the temples and take part in festivals. They were not all rich but were all examples of democracy. It ultimately helped enable freedom of speech, religion and restored faith back into the

The Ancient Greeks were known for many things. Some may know them for the olympics, mythology, the trojan horse, or togas. What may not come to mind is how much the Greeks influenced Western civilization. The Greeks had six major contributions, art, architecture, philosophy, math, science, and drama.