Ancient Greece was a fascinating time and place in history Located in the Mediterranean Sea, the Greek civilization had a profound impact on the development of culture, government, and the arts in the western world. This rich and complex culture, with its numerous city-states, spanning from the 8th century BC to the end of the 4th century BC, left a lasting legacy on the world.
The Ancient Greek civilization had a variety of influential aspects, including politics, religion, social structure and culture, as well as a remarkable impact on the arts, athletics, architecture, philosophy, mathematics and science. Politically, Ancient Greece was comprised of several independent city-states, each of which was ruled by an elite class of citizens, known as the aristocracy. The government of each city-state was largely based on democracy, with the citizens electing representatives to serve in the various government offices. Religion was also a significant part of Ancient Greek life, with the worship of gods and goddesses being an integral part of the culture. In addition to the worship of their gods, the Ancient Greeks highly valued physical and mental achievement, both in the form of athletic competitions and in the pursuit of knowledge.
The Ancient Greeks were also renowned for their creative achievements. Their culture produced an impressive array of artifacts, including sculptures, pottery, architecture, and literature. They were also one of the first civilizations to systematically pursue the study of philosophy, mathematics, and the sciences of astronomy, medicine, and geography.
Here are five significant Ancient Greek topics:
1. The Athenian Acropolis: This iconic landmark symbolizes the greatness of the Ancient Greek civilization. The Acropolis was the home for the most important structures in the city of Athens, including the Parthenon, Temple of Athena Nike, and the Erechtheion.
2. Epic Poetry: Epic poetry was an important form of literature for the Ancient Greeks. Often considered to be the forerunners of modern day novels, epics such as the Odyssey and the Iliad were told in verse form and revolved around the exploits of heroes such as Odysseus and Achilles.
3. Greek Tragedy: Along with their epics, the Ancient Greeks are famous for their plays and tragedies. The most famous of these, written by the playwright Sophocles, include the Oedipus Trilogy and Antigone.
4. Ancient Greek Mathematics: The Ancient Greeks have made several contributions to the field of mathematics. Although they lacked the development of concepts such as the abstract numbers and irrational numbers, they invented several abstract models, such as the Pythagorean Theorem, which are still used by mathematicians today.
5. Ancient Greek Architecture: The Ancient Greeks were renowned for their magnificent building structures. The most famous is the Parthenon, a temple building dedicated to the goddess Athena. Several copies of the Parthenon have been made throughout history, from Europe to America.