Mediterranean Society Under Greek and Roman Influence

863 Words2 Pages

As the Greek and Roman empires ascended immensely throughout the western world, new ideas changed the way the Mediterranean Society handled things, which were spread across the globe. “The rise of the series of city-states of classical Greece began in the ninth century B.C.E. and during the late sixth century B.C.E, Rome’s development as a republic began as Etruscan society declined”(Bentley et al, 2008 p.132, 145). The development of these empires encouraged cultural circulation, blending the culture of the two empires into the land it conquered. As Greece and Rome gained more territory within the Mediterranean society, they began to progress toward a more civilized order of humanity. How were they alike? How were they different? How did they each influence the western world? These questions imply the relationship between the social orders among the Greco-Roman civilization. Although both Ancient Greece and Rome may be compared in many ways, I will discuss the Mediterranean society under the Greeks and Romans influence. Similarities of the Greeks and Romans One of the things the Greeks and Romans had in common were trade and integration. Bentley et al (2008) notes that “the Greek goods, such as, olive oil and wine, were traded around the Mediterranean for raw material—grain. By the early eighth century B.C.E., the Greeks trades gained substantial prosperity” (p 139). Furthermore, the Greek established a widespread colonial network within the Mediterranean coast, which inspired social relations in distant lands. In comparison, Throughout the Romans Empire...” [their establishment traded] and became a center for the production of pottery, glassware, and bronze goods. Since the Roman land and sea trade routes encouraged trade fr... ... middle of paper ... ...he Greek and Romans religion, the Roman religion seems to be more practical than the Greeks religion. For instance, the Greeks religion deals with religious cults whereas, the Roman religion (Christianity) deals with a savior, who offers loving-kindness to humankind. On a final note, in response to the question of how did the Greeks and Romans influence the western world. Overall, the Greek and Roman exposure within the cross-cultural frontier became the foundation of a successful trade and communication operation throughout the western world and a magnet for social order. Works Cited Bentley, J., Ziegler, H., and Streets, H. (2008). Traditions and encounters: A brief global history (3rd ed. New York: McGraw Hill WGBH educational foundation (2010), Retrieved June 6, 2010, from http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/religion/portrait/religions.html

Open Document