preview

Greek Influence On New Orleans

Decent Essays

New Orleans, Louisiana was greatly influenced by Greek ancestry and culture. It has taken many different aspects of Greek culture that have impacted the different traditions we have today, such as architecture, city elements, and Mardi Gras. Greek influenced New Orleans street names as well as Mardi Gras. New Orleans architecture was affected by Greeks and we also have many sites in New Orleans that we're affected by greek culture. New Orleans' architecture was greatly influenced by Greek culture. James Gallier developed Greek architecture known as the "Three Sisters" on Rampart Street in New Orleans. ("New Orleans Architecture.") In the 1970's they had an influx of Greek sailors and that's when the line of bars in Decatur Street came about at the Port of New Orleans. The architecture and influence had a great impact on Greater New Orleans and The French Quarter. ("Tracing Greek Geography from Bayou Road to the Banks of Bayou St. John.") Ancient Greeks influenced our popular tradition of Mardi Gras. Many parades that are held during the Mardi Gras season are …show more content…

Greek muses are well represented around Coliseum Square in the Lower Garden District where nine streets named for the muses cross Prytania Street. ("The National and Cultural Groups of New Orleans.") Prytania Street was originally Rue du Prytanee, named for the Prytaneum, who was the hearth that each ancient Greek village had dedicated to the goddess of the hearth, Hestia. Elysian Fields is another Greek influenced street. In Greek mythology if the gods thought you were good you got to go to Elysian Fields. ("The Classical Tradition : Greek and Roman Influences on Western Literature.") Just like street names have been influenced so have different arts and the motif of Greek ancestry. It is shown in the Peristyle, Popp Bandstand and Popp Fountain in City Park. ("What's New in New Orleans." New Orleans Tourism and Travel

Get Access