What Defines Greekness? What It Is Greekness? Essay

Throughout the eighteenth to early nineteenth century, Greece was fighting for its independence from the Ottoman Turks, who had ruled the Balkan Peninsula since the fifteenth century. The Greek’s rebellion against the Ottomans attracted Western Europe who sympathized with their cause, and only with the help of British, French, and Russian forces was Greece able to reclaim their formal independence in 1830. Through writers, government figures, and other individual positions where the points of views comparable over the views of independence, for instance most of the writers wrote poems and letters in favor of Greek independence, government figures included insights from both the Turk side and Greek side, and finally a compilation of different

The ancient Greeks with their brilliant and imaginative spirit created a complete order of things that functioned harmoniously in the infinite world that contained them. Although its exact origins are lost in time, Greek religion is thought to date from about the 2d millenium B.C., when the culture of Aryan invaders fused with those of the Aegean and Minoan peoples who had inhabited the region of Greece from Neolithic times [1]. The beginning and the genesis of this world occupied the ancient Greeks in much the same way it did the early people of every civilization. Greek religion was at the beginning a blend of Minoan, Egyptian, Asian, and other elements, but it subsequently evolved along with Greek thought.

Theater in ancient Greece was considered the climax of the days long cultural festival of The City Dionysia. At the festival, various types of plays were shown but one of the most popular was tragedy. These tragedies show the main character, usually a god or person of myth, going through human suffering and the terrible sequence of events that followed; and were produced in 472- 401 BCE. In order for a play to be performed at The City Dionysia festival; tragic playwrights would first have to appeal to the state official that was organizing the festival by submitting ideas to him and his committee. The ideas submitted were outlines of main themes and points of interest to be performed in the play. If a playwright was selected by the state official and his committee, then they received a financial backer and a chance to compete in the drama competition of the festival. The state official, or his committee, was likely pushing their own agenda and choose playwrights that matched their ideals. This is just one example of how theater in ancient Greece was used to influence the morality of Greek culture by using the stories of tragedies, like those of Euripides.

Since the beginning of time the people of the world have their share of beliefs. Greek mythology is the arguably the most popular region of study. In Ancient Greece every citizen had a patron that would protect them and pantheism was commonplace. The Romans admired the Greeks in their art and culture and even took different aspects of their gods. Polytheism was widely accepted in all cultures so the seed of mythology bloomed. The time line of the creations of gods to the end of their reign is an important factor in Greek Mythology.

1. The Greeks had similarities and differences compared to traditional American’s and our culture. Similar to Americans, Greeks were a very entertainment based culture. They had plays, music, and texts to pass their free time, all of which most Americans typically experience in a day. Cities and towns existed, with city-states serving almost like today’s capitals of each state. Farming played a big part in their culture, which is shared with America, as farming continues to be a trade that is necessary, no matter what age. A military existed to protect their society, like America has. Religion was relatively relaxed as a subject in Greece, where they didn’t really think care too much about which gods or goddesses you worshiped - a trait somewhat

Ancient Greek stands in an important position in the art history. Ancient Greek art proper emerged during the eigth century BCE. Classical and Hellenistic period are the most impressive eras of Greece. There are many values of Greek 's culture become the fundamental tenets of today 's western civilization. Greeks created the concept of democracy and make a huge contributions in the fields of science, literature and art. Ancient Greece 's art and architecture also have a strong influential to western society. Moreover, the Greeks made their gods into humans and their humans into gods. The perfect individual became the Greek ideal and the portrayal of beautiful humans became the focus of many of the greatest Greek artists. Greek ideal is one of the most important cultures of Greece and it also has a great influence of Greek religion, philosophy and society. The art work of Archaic, Classical and Hellenistic Period have shown that Greek has achieved their lofty goals in many aspects of their civilization.

Greek life, made up of sororities and fraternities, is prominent in many universities and colleges throughout the United States. Greek life is on all types of campuses ranging from public to private, and especially Ivy League schools. Those who choose to participate in Greek life have the opportunity to become members of sororities and fraternities specific to gender, religions, races, and even majors. Colleges and universities in the South have strong Greek life with many undergraduate students participating, and at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, twenty percent of undergraduates participate in Greek life. For many, Greek life is an important facet of their college experience. Getting involved in Greek life provides students with many opportunities, such as an expansion of their social circle, involvement in community service, and leadership opportunities. In addition, the students who participate in Greek life are less likely to drop out. While participating in Greek life provides students with benefits, downsides also occur on college campuses. Serious dangers range from hazing to drug and alcohol or abuse, or even sexual assault.

The taste of fresh figs and grapes from the farm, the sound of the church bell ringing at 11 am, the smell of the sea from a mile away, these are some things that remind me of my Greek heritage. My household has always been very culturally diverse. My mother left Greece for the United States to establish greater opportunities for me and my siblings. However, she has always raised us in a household that mimics the traditional Greek ethics of the one she grew up in. Juggling physics homework and my mother yelling in Greek to help fix her new phone is a common occurrence in my daily life. This may seem like a frustrating event to some, but I love when my mother speaks in Greek. It takes me back to my childhood summers when my grandparents, aunts,

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.

The years within 600 B.C.E to 600 C.E are often referred to as the Classical Age. For a society to be considered classical, parts of their followings have to be in use in present day societies. Civilizations during this period developed various religions, cultures, and institutions that have left a lasting impact on the present day world. Classical societies were usually well organized, and powerful in their time. Greece was one of several classical societies during this period, and many aspects of Greece still influence present day societies.

The great debate in the 18th century over the independence of Greece caused a boisterous debate among differing nations. At the time, the Greeks were trying to free themselves from their Ottoman rule. After the uprising in 1821, thousands of Europeans joined on the side of the Greeks announcing their approval of their independence. Many posed their opinions. The views towards the conditions of Greeks in the Ottoman Empire differed between the Greek themselves, England, and the Turks.

The first of two notable periods of Greek immigration to the United States began in the 1800s and continued until the 1920s. According to chnm.gmu.edu (n.d.), the economic crisis in Greece caused many Greek families to send their sons to the United States to make money to send back home to Greece. The second wave of Greek immigration occurred after World War II with the passage of Immigration and National Origins Act of 1965. This opened the door for many Greeks who had family already living in the United States, to come join them. The second generation of Greek Americans had been established by this time and they had established Greek communities as well as various businesses that were thriving.

“Greek civilization is alive; it moves in every breath of mind that we breathe; so much of it remains that none of us in one lifetime could absorb it all.” Ancient Greeks are known to be one of the greatest and most advanced people and have left behind a legacy that helped define the Western civilization. Cultural diffusion helped spread Greek culture all over the world, and its effects can still be felt today in almost every aspect. Greek culture has greatly affected different parts of my daily life including architecture, food, government, inventions, music, religion, and education.

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.

one essential conviction, expressed in the word democracy itself: that power should be in the hands of the people. Although democracy today has been slightly inefficient in this idea, with the wealthy, elite class challenging this right, “it nevertheless claims for itself a fundamental validity that no other kind of society shares….” To completely understand the structure of democracy, one must return to the roots of the practice itself, and examine the origins in ancient Greece, the expansion in the Roman Empire, and how these practices combined make what we recognize as today’s democratic government.