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The impact of Greco-Roman culture on western civilizations
The impact of Greco-Roman culture on western civilizations
Ancient greece study
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Archeology is one of the most imperative methods of elucidating our knowledge of the past. Archeology, as defined as by Oxford Living Dictionary, is “The study of human history and prehistory through the excavation of sites and the analysis of artefacts and other physical remains.” Without this riveting field of study, our knowledge of the path would contain a plethora of voids in our knowledge, making our historical understanding truly guess-work. Archeology is the most substantive method for supplementing our knowledge of history, and one of the most notable archaeological gateways to the classical era is the Acropolis of Athens, situated in Athens, Greece. The etymology of acropolis originates from the Greek words Akro, and Polis, respectively …show more content…
Being situated on a large hill, the Acropolis never had to be “found” as opposed to something such as the Terracotta Army (excavated from the ground); quite frankly put, the Acropolis simply existed in plain site. However, even the greatest feats of history are often subjugated via the hands of time, and the acropolis saw a great deal of natural deterioration. However, to minimize the natural deterioration, the Acropolis began acting as an archaeological site in 1833 (post establishment of the modern Greek state), and UNESCO began integrated intervention in 1974. With basic restoration using white marble, similar techniques to those of ancient craftpeoples were utilized to maintain historic …show more content…
The Propylaea was an massive gateway, always designed for entrances into sacred grounds; the presence of this aspect quite brilliantly illustrated the grandiose nature of classical Grecian architecture surrounding sacred grounds. The Erechtheion was one of the most sacred grounds in the Acropolis, acting as a temple to the goddess Athena and the god Poseidon. This again display the significance of the gods and goddess in classical Greek culture; as the presence of divine beings was one of the cornerstones of Greek culture. The Parthenon and the Temple of Athena Nike were temples dedicated solely to Athena, as she was the patroness of Athens, truly cementing the significance of this to the culture. Other significant aspects are the Theatre of Dionysus and the Odeon of Herodes Atticus, which illustrated the significance of theatre in Grecian culture. It is no surprise that the Acropolis of Athens is an imperative gateway into Grecian culture. The historical significance is monumental; this knowledge helped historians fully supplement their knowledge of Grecian mythos, religion, worship, and reverence for the patrons of their cities. Notwithstanding though, is the immortal legacy the Athenian Acropolis leaves behind. Its preservation allows historian and admirer alike to understand the impact of Athenian culture on Greece and the mediterranean as
185-196. Dillon, Mathew, and Garland, Lynda. Ancient Greece: Social and Historical Documents from Archaic Times to the Death of Socrates. Routledge International Thompson Publishing Company, 1994, pp. 179-215 Lefkowitz, Mary.
Works Cited Robinson, C.E. (2007). Hellas – A Short History of Ancient Greece. Pantheon Books Bury, J. B.; Russell Meiggs (2000). A History of Greece to the Death of Alexander the Great Lazenby, JF. The Defence of Greece 490–479 BC.
Thucydides sets down the development of the relationship between the power of Athens and Sparta in the Archeology. Athens emerges from the Persian Wars as the undisputed commercial superpower in Greece. Where Sparta is located in the fertile Peloponnesus, and is thus able to sustain itself on agriculture alone, making trade unnecessary and allowing it to maintain its own laws and customs for “more than four hundred years” (I.18.1), Athens’ infertile land forces it to turn to olive oil for revenue, and it consequently develops a flourishing trade economy even before the Darius set his sights on Greece. The Persian invasion itself makes a sea power out of Athens, allowing it to establish a Mediterranean empire, and export its culture and government to the rest of Greece (I.18.2, I.6.3). This serves to unify the scattered Ionian and Doric cities under the umbrella of the Hellenes culturally where the Spartan campaign to remove tyrants unifies it politically by giving Greeks relative freedom and subordinating it uniformly to the law, and the joint coalition against the Persians ultimately secured it militarily (I.
At the end of the Persian wars, Athens materialized along with Sparta as the two leading powers in the Greek world. As Athens grew in confidence, their promotion of ‘Athenianism’, was a bid to place Athens as leader of its empire. This growing confidence is demonstrated in the building programme during the 440’s and 430’s B.C.E, such as the Parthenon. As Robson states, ‘[t]he Parthenon and its sculptures can certainly be viewed as celebrating Athens’ spiritual life, military prowess, and cultural pre-eminence’ (Robson, ECW, p. 99). This can be seen as architectural evidence of mounting self-belief, for example, the south freeze of the Parthenon; to modern day interpretation undoubtedly depicts the battle at Marathon. Seen as a promotion of Athenian military ascendancy and coupled with the attitude of superiority over other Greek states, this combined campaign instigated tension with Sparta, inspiring the first Peloponnesian war.
The Parthenon was an amazing and important temple. Dedicated to Athena, the goddess of war and wisdom, it was a very important temple to the Greeks. Greeks worshiped all of their gods by building temples for them and giving sacrifices. Most of the sacrifices were sacred tiles designed especially for the gods, not many were human.
"NATIONAL ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM OF ATHENS - OFFICIAL SITE." NATIONAL ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM OF ATHENS - OFFICIAL SITE. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Apr. 2014. .
"Unhandled Exception." Ancient Greece - History, Mythology, Art, War, Culture, Society, and Architecture. 2008. Web. 27 Feb. 2011. .
Kaltsas, Nikos E. Athens-Sparta. New York, NY: Alexander S. Onassis Public Benefit Foundation (USA) in Collaboration with the National Archaeological Museum, Athens, 2006. Print.
The Greeks believed the deities provided the city protection and allowed them to be successful in their endeavors while in time of war. Phidias, a master bronze worker, was commissioned to create the sculpture of Athena Parthenos, the goddess of wisdom to show tribute to the gods by creating a large scale sculpture in Acropolis. The Acropolis was the most important site in the city of Athens, and was well recognized as the hilltop of protection. It is also the most significant reference point of ancient Greek culture as well as the symbol of the city of Athens. Some of the greatest architectural masterpieces of the period were erected on its ground.
In the years following the Persian Wars in 479 B.C., Athens had come out on top being the most dominantly powerful of any Greek city with a navy that had superior strength that increased day by day. The Athenians “ruled with heavy-handed, even brutal force as well as with reason” (Kagan 2). This was due largely to the fact that Athens had a stable and effective government, which only increased their advantage in proving themselv...
Pomeroy, S.B. et al. A Brief History of Ancient Greece: Politics, Society, and Culture. Second edn. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2009.
Pomeroy, Sarah B. Ancient Greece: A Political, Social, and Cultural History. New York: Oxford UP, 1999. Print.
The Acropolis in Athens is the site of one of the greatest architectural achievements in the history of mankind. With a rich history and a beautiful design the Acropolis projects man’s ability to create a lasting monument to its strength and intellect.
...ns greatest treasures.? These architectural areas have provided insight into the culture, religion, and government of ancient Athens.? The Agora has become a symbol of civic space, and has influenced how modern architects plan public areas.? It has also provided scholars with understanding of religious and cultural aspects of Greek life.? The Acropolis has served as symbol of the power of both Athens of religion in Greek life.? This structure has unlocked questions about art and architecture, and it continues to symbolize perfection.? Together, these ancient sites unlock the mysterious of ancient Athens.?
Throughout history, there have been several significant architectural movements. The last, and perhaps most enduring movement is that of Classic Greece. Although for centuries, the architecture of ancient Greece has been admired, mimicked, and replicated, its beginnings are somewhat surprising to one unfamiliar with the history of the region. It is important to understand the history and mechanics of Classic Greek architecture in order to fully appreciate its form, function, and beauty. “Ancient Greek architects strove for the precision and excellence of workmanship that are the hallmarks of Greek art in general. The formulas they invented as early as the sixth century B.C. have influenced the architecture of the past two millennia” (metmuseum.org).