Ancient Athens serves as a beacon within Western antiquity as the center for culture with its cultural advancements impacting the culture of today. Founded nearly 9,000 years ago, Athens formed itself as the center of Greek culture and education during the classical period. Considered the prototype for Western Democracy, it allowed for the rise of a citizenship of voters, something unique in the ancient world. The Athenian love of physical activity culminated in the Olympics, an event that though ended by the Roman Empire, inspired the Olympics of the modern era. Though Athens was later conquered by the Roman Empire, it still served as the center of culture until its ultimate collapse in the 6th century AD via the Eastern Roman Empire. Ultimately, Western Society owes a debt to ancient Athens as this small city-state provided the backdrop for the West to develop and grow. Everything today, from the West’s love of sports to appreciation of the arts to government structure all flows from an ancient hilltop in Greece.
The origins of early Athens can be traced back as early as 7000 B.C.E. It is unclear if the name is derived from the Greek goddess Athena, or if the goddess was named after the city itself. The center of the city is settled on the Acropolis, a high, rocky plateau overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. This site was most likely chosen for its natural defenses inland, surrounded by mountains, with the Acropolis protecting its inhabitants from sea side attacks. Because of the rocky terrain, no large-scale agriculture was possible. The smaller farms weren’t enough to support the expanding population and Athenians relied on fishing and trading with neighboring civilizations. The city differentiated itself from neighboring city-...
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...man Empire in the West and was assimilated by the Eastern Roman Empire. Considered pagan by a growing Christian population, Athens began to lose its status as the center of education in the Eastern Roman Empire in the 4th century. When the Eastern Roman Emperor Justinian closed the philosophical schools in 529AD, it marked the end of ancient Athens.
Athens has left an impressive legacy that has stood the test of time. From its architectural achievements to its inception of democracy, the Athenian culture has had a significant impact on Western development. Western love of art developed in Athens and some of the Wests’ greatest athletic achievements have roots in the ancient Olympics. Athens has, and always will serve as the cornerstone of western society.
Works Cited
Mark, Joshua J. "Athens." Ancient History Encyclopedia. N.p., 28 Apr. 2011. Web. 08 Apr. 2014.
The Ancient Greeks were nothing if not influential. Ever since it 's formation in the 8th century B.C., Greek civilization has impacted many of the world 's greatest thinkers and shaped the landscape of Western Civilization. Aside from their art and philosophy, the Ancient Greeks were particularly interested in politics and, in the case of Athens, a new system of government known as: democracy! Long before the American founding fathers declared their independence from Britain, Athenian citizens governed their own state and voted to solve political turmoil. However, ancient Athens was no perfect twin to American democracy, and being an upstanding Athenian citizen meant more than simply voting and going about one 's business. A standout Athenian
Athens was at once the site of the forerunner of democracy, the epitome of Classical architecture, the height of drama, naval superiority, and enlightened minds such as Socrates. As much as these developments gave Athens its preeminence, and despite how rapidly it fell, the growth of Athens in this brief time has given us the source of our modern democracy, our sense of culture, and our ideals for society. In the Age of Pericles, Athens bloomed, but even now we relish its benefits.
-Athens. (2013). Making of the West, Volume I: To 1750, 4th Edition. Retrieved from: VitalSource Bookshelf Downloaded E-Book.
Ancient Greece: A History in Eleven Cities is a concise and surprisingly refined assessment of the Ancient Greek world, from the early dark ages to late Antiquity, told uniquely through the history of eleven city-states or “polis”. Paul Cartledge’s Ancient Greece: A History in Eleven Cities, details the cultural traditions, trade, and politics that laid the foundation of the sprawling Aegean civilization. By examples of the successful polis Cnossos on the island of Crete, and continuing through to the rise of iconic Sparta, it is easy to trace the development of Greek civilization. The emergence of Classical Greece is examined in the accounts of Athens, Syracuse, and Thebes while the descriptions of Alexandria are symbolic of the transition into the Hellenistic age. A final discussion of the rise of Byzantium notes the decline of city-state independence. Arguably, Cartledge’s paradoxical title of the book surprisingly captures the key events detailing the history of the Greek civilization.
I believe that athens was a true democracy because they voted only if they were citizens and only if they were old enough to vote. Democracy is a system of government by the whole population or all the eligible members of a state, typically through elected representatives. For example the united states is a democracy because all the eligible members in the states have vote. The only bad thing is that not all the eligible member vote in all the states. I believe that it would be much better if all the eligible members in every state voted, because it would be more accurate for all the elections and rules that the government puts.
Professor Chris Pelling of UCL wrote The Ancient Olympics. In addition, the author is a member of the UCL Department of Greek and Latin. In this article, the author describe and explain how sports were more than a competition in the ancient Greece. His hypothesis was that sports were a way to get honor and power instead of just competing. It represents more than a simple crown of leaves and olive-branch at the Olympics. It gave power, fame and honor to the athlete and their home city. In addition, they were awarded with many material rewards such as money, and women. For instance, the primary method employed in this research consisted
4) Ellis, Edward S., and Charles F. Horne. ?History of Athens Greece.? The Story of the Greatest Nations and the World?s Greatest Events, Vol. 1. 12 Dec. 2003
Athens was one of the largest Greek city states. (Stockton, 4). It was about one thousand square miles (Stockton, 4). Athens was founded in the 8th century BC (Muller). It was at first ruled by the college of archons. (Muller). After a term of one year, the archons became members of the Council of Elders (Muller). The people had a voice in the popular assembly, the Ekklesia (Muller). However, it did not have real power until 600 BC. By then, it was an established institution of Athens (Muller). It became the central policy making body in the 5th century. There were two main governmental bodies, the Assembly and the Council. (Acropolis). The Assembly was responsible for policy making. (Acropolis) The Council was responsible for administration and implementing the Assembly’s policies. Not everyone could participate in Athenian politics. Slaves, resident aliens, and women were excluded.
?The main reason for the existence of Corinth is the same reason for its greatness.? The ancient civilizations of the Mediterranean world produced this city out of geographical and commercial necessity.? The southern most part of Greece is very nearly an island, attached to the main landmass by only a four mile wide isthmus, with the Corinthian Gulf to the west, and the Saronic Gulf to the east.? Corinth sits along this narrow isthmus, making itself one of the most important trading and commercial centers of the ancient world.? Corinth was positioned perfectly between the two greatest political city-states in ancient Greece, Athens to the north and Sparta to the south; because, any traffic from these two cities, as well as anywhere else to the north and south, had no choice but to pass through Corinth.? The east and west traffic, on the other hand, had a choice to pass or not pass through Corinth, though limited as that choice was (Barclay 1).? The only way to sail east to west in the Mediterranean was all the way around the southern tip of Greece, known as Cape Malea.? Cape Malea was considered the most dangerous Cape in all the Mediterranean due to its high seas, contrary winds, and difficult navigation (Engel...
Robinson, Charles Alexander. Athens in the age of Pericles. Norman: University of Oklahoma Press, 1959.
Greece’s capital is the largest and most populated ancient Athens and is situated in Central Greece at approximately 38° N 23.7° E. Athens is now known as one of the safest and most affordable cities in the world and is also the world-renowned home for the ancient Acropolis- (acro: edge, polis: city), the home of the statues of the gods and goddesses like Zeus and Athena. The majestic statue marvels are no longer in the Acropolis, but in local museums because of the threat of pollution. The city of Athens has become Greece’s largest center for industry as well as an urban center.
Athens was known as a city/state. Athens was the size of city in modern America and it consisted of rural communities. There are varying estimates of the population of ancient Athens during fourth century BC. There was an estimated amount 250,000–300,000 people in Athens. Athe...
For centuries, Greece has produced innovations and advancements that set an example and high standards for other societies around the world. City- states in Greece, such as Athens and Sparta, led the way with their military, political, and societal advancements.
The Ancient times have given America lots of ideas about everything; one of the most important influences that they have had on America is idea on physical education and athletics to keep people healthy. America took on gymnastics from the Ancient Greece influences. Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome both gave the idea that there should be physical education among the students. The idea for physical education came from Ancient Greece on how they informed pain, by discipline and obedience. America started swimming because the influence of Ancient Rome who did running, jumping, swimming, wrestling, horsemanship, boxing, fencing, and archery. Women were not allowed to play sports in Ancient Greece but they were allowed to play some in Ancient Rome. Ancient Greece helped put in the beliefs about the human body and physical education that America has. America caught onto the idea that the body must be balanced. Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome both gave the US and the world the Olympic games and greatly influenced them as well, and also other sports.
In conclusion, the Olympics have been a substantial part of our culture today, as it was during the age of ancient Greece. The Olympics continue today in close replication of the classical Olympics. The Olympic games are an example of the many contributions ancient Greece has passed on to Western civilizations.