Greek Cultural Contributions

The culture of Greece is one of the pillars of modern society. The Greeks were culturally creators and innovators. The legacy of the Greek culture has had a significant influence on culture today. Greeks produced some of the world's greatest art, the first true science, and some of the greatest philosophers in history. Their most important cultural contribution was the concept of democracy, which is one of the many contributions that the Greek philosophy has given to the current thinking. Socrates, Plato and Aristotle are the most recognized in this field and are the Greek thinkers whose writings have transpired through generations. Interesting, Greeks were able to do all these things despite the fact that they were constantly at war.

To begin with, Greeks produced some of the world's greatest art. The Greek Art marks a level

of Western civilization that continues to this day. At first, the designs were basic geometric shapes made on ceramics, they were the decoration of dishes and pots whose marketing was a very productive business in ancient Greece. Eventually, these were progressively enriched to collect volume. The first drawings of plants and animals appeared. Later, in the Archaic period, the human figure is included. During the new naturalistic tendencies, it became more important to serve the mythological representations.
The Greeks also excelled in sculpture. Their works were impressive for their handling of human anatomy. The first Greek sculptures were small human figures made of supple materials such as clay, ivory or wax. It was not until the Archaic period (ca. 480-330 BCE) that the Greeks began working the stone. “The Archaic artists were outward-looking—striving after a complete understanding of the forms they were endeavoring to represent (in particular the human form) and also after a technical understanding of the materials they employed” (Prag, A. J. N. W, 2005). The most common reasons for early works were simple statues of youths (kouros) and maidens (Kores) carved in hard marble during the 6th century and later.
Furthermore, the temple was, without doubt, one of the most important legacies of Greek architecture to the West.

In the beginning, the materials used were the adobe walls and wood columns. But from the 7th century (Archaic period), they were replaced by the stone, allowing the addition of a new row of columns on the outside (peristyle). Later in the classical period (V and. IV centuries BCE), the Greek architecture arrived at its maximum height. The Parthenon in Athens is the clearest illustration of this brilliant Greek architectural period.

In addition, the ancient Greeks had made some remarkable contributions in various branches of science. They made some astounding discoveries in the field of medicine, biology, mathematics and physics. The ancient Greeks applied many of the same methods of logic, theory and test towards their work in science. Greeks considered all sciences philosophical; they explained the events of the nature and causes with intelligent and clear arguments. The Greeks had so much so influence in the early concepts of science, that most symbols often used in physics and higher math equations are derived from Greek

alphabet.
Greek medicine contributed significantly to the world. Medicine, although it had its beginnings in prehistoric times, where they used plants, minerals and animal parts in rituals, its true scientific development was in Greece and one of the first known historical figures is Hippocrates, a Greek physician, considered one of the most outstanding figures in the history of medicine, who is also known as the father of medicine (McKay et al. 83). Hippocrates started to collect data and conduct experiments to show that disease was a natural process; that the signs and symptoms of a disease were caused by the natural reactions of the body to the disease process. “The most famous of his supposed contributions is the Hippocratic Oath, which bears his name accordingly. It was this document that was first proposed as an ethical standard among doctors, when doing their work. It brings up important concepts, we still use today, such as doctor-patient confidentiality” (Saugat, 2014).
Not only medicine was a big contribution from the Greeks, the intellects in ancient Greece excelled in mathematics, physics and astronomy. The fundamentals of modern mathematics were established in ancient Greece. The basic logical principles used for the deduction of science and modern mathematics were systematized by Aristotle. Also, “Aristotle gave the idea of earth being a globe. He also classified animals and if often referred to as father of zoology” (Saugat, 2014).
Moreover, it is believed that Greece is the birthplace of Western philosophy. Modern universities are still studying the Greek philosophers like Socrates, Plato and Aristotle. Were the works of Greek philosophers who laid the foundations for their contributions in mathematics, science, medicine, law and politics. They developed philosophy as a way of understanding the world around them, without resorting to religion, myth, or magic. In fact, the early Greek philosophers were also scientists who observed and studied the known world.
One of the most important cultural contributions of the Greek philosophy, was the concept of democracy. It is generally believed that the concepts of democracy and constitution were created in one particular place and time in Ancient Athens BCE. Socrates, and Plato, some of the most important philosophers in Greek history, attempt to examine politics, and democracy. “Democracy translates as “the power of the people” by was actually Democracy is a form of government that gives power to the people as a whole” (McKay et al. 66). In other words, is a form of government that gives power to the people.
Equally important, In the fifth-century-BCE The sophists were professional teachers and intellectuals who frequented Athens and other Greek cities; the sophists offered young wealthy Greek men an education in return for a fee. “Athens, applied philosophical speculation to politic and language, questioning the belief and laws of the polis to understand their origin” (McKay et al. 83). This lessons where philosophical speculations were made, taught young man how to persuade others. Also, it was belief that Socrates, was a Sophists, since he applied philosophy to politics and to people.
In addition, the Socratic method contributed with the development of critical thinking skills through discussion or arguments between specific participants. “His approach when exploring ethical issues and defining concepts was to start with a general topic or problem and to narrow the matter to its essentials” (McKay et al. 83). Critical thinking is very important in today’s society, and he created this method in order to achieve this approach, it develops the ability to think clearly and rationally.
In conclusion, the first civilization that grew in ancient Greece had enormous contributions for the development of humanity. In all aspects of life, political, democratic, scientific, artistic and philosophical. The terminology and innovations of this period are still relevant until this day. In fact, it is fair to say that Western civilization as it is known today, was conceivable through the advance made by our Greek ancestors.