Western Civilization Dbq

Ancient Greece’s Influence on Western Civilization

The Ancient Greeks influenced Western civilization in the areas of science, architecture, and math. Examples include the Hippocratic Oath, developed by famous physician Hippocrates, and the Parthenon in Athens, considered one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. As far as mathematics, Pythagoras and Euclid made numerous contributions to geometry.

The Ancient Greeks developed the Hippocratic Oath, one of the most widely-known medical texts. Doctors, then and now, take the Oath to show that patients can trust them with their well being. It requires physicians to treat the sick and wounded to the best of their ability. The Oath was originally developed by Hippocrates, a Greek physician who lived from 460 to 377 B.C. (Document 4). Part of the original Oath states that “[physicians] will consider for the benefit of [their] patients, and abstain from whatever is [harmful]...”. The goals of the Oath include maintaining confidentiality, NEEDS WORK

Ancient Greeks were very skilled in the area of architecture, and their columns and building structures continue to be seen today.

Their most recognizable columns are the Ionic, Doric, and Corinthian. These different columns can be found on notable buildings such as the White House, or just driving through various neighborhoods. One of the most recognizable building in Greece is the Parthenon, which directly influenced the Supreme Court Building. Though the Parthenon has Doric columns and the Supreme Court Building Corinthian, they both have the same first impression. Both, when viewed from the front, have eight columns supporting a triangle of marble. The triangle is very ornate, possessing detailed sculpting of various

men.
There is no doubt that the ancient Greeks have influenced mathematics greatly. Two specific mathematicians, Euclid and Pythagoras, made long-lasting contributions to the field. Euclid of Alexandria is often referred to as “The Father of Geometry”, and wrote a book called Elements about geometric concepts (Document 5). The textbook describes the principles of Euclidean geometry, and is still used to teach mathematics. Another great Greek mathematician was Pythagoras of Samos. Pythagoras developed the Pythagorean theorem, better known asa2+b2 = c2. The formula is used to find the hypotenuse of a triangle. Pythagoras’ theorem can be applied in everyday life, from road trips to finding the right sized television or computer. These Greek mathematicians’ concepts are still taught in schools worldwide.
Ancient Greek civilization was so profoundly impactful that it can be seen almost anywhere in the world. The Hippocratic Oath is still taken by doctors to ensure patient safety, and the Supreme Court Building resembles the Parthenon in more ways than one. The United States even has a replica of the Parthenon in Nashville, Tennessee, demonstrating the admiration Western civilization possesses for the ancient Greeks’ architectural developments. Both Pythagoras and Euclid’s numerous concepts are taught in schools.