Ancient Greece was a powerful civilization that lasted from 800 BC until 146 BC, at the beginning of Roman conquest[1]. While it is regarded as the end of the civilization, the developed culture, policies, and philosophy of ancient Greece managed to persevere throughout the centuries to make a lasting legacy that was widely imitated and still learned from today. Three artifacts that had left a prominent influence on our present culture from ancient Greece is democracy, which they had invented. Also, a new and original approach to philosophy that has changed the way we think forever, lastly and well known, is their architecture.

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In our modern era, especially in the Western civilization, an exceedingly important political aspect is the system of democracy, which can be traced back to Athens[3]. Democracy is now known the ideal government in the Western world. The name and concept was originally conceived by the ancient Greeks, who began the practice around 507 BC[4]. At the time the idea was unpopular and criticized mostly by those of the upper class in Athens. The system then was short lived and around 460 BC when Pericles began to rule government[5], modifications came into the system which could be better described as an aristocracy, resulted in democracy not enduring long.

The continuity and change of ancient Greek democracy is that the premise today still stands on majority vote, but obviously there has been a change in how voting is done since then. When democracy was first invented it was originally made of three separate institutions, but all had the same basis of majority vote[6].

The historical significance of democracy is that it gave us a better understanding of the thought process of the Greeks, giving prominence to the views and influences they had amongst and against each other. Although we typically generalize ancient civilizations social and thinking skills as primitive, and often speculate to be mostly inferior to our own, we can clearly see how developed the Greeks were with structure and critical decision making. The cause of this historical legacy is there is a voice for every person and idea. We value the ancient Greeks invention of democracy because it left an impact that has changed the way of living for many different countries over many different centuries. Democracies today are proven to have a more egalitarian distribution of wealth, giving a sense of fairness and equality while uprooting caste systems, keeping the population free of famine, and growing faster in the economic sphere[7].

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The second artifact that ancient Greece has left to make a lasting impression on humankind is their contemporary approach to philosophy. It started with proposing questions that had an imaginative but thought provoking focus, based more on life in general that would help shape our minds and be passed on throughout the centuries. The historical significance of Greek philosophy set a basis and would be a contribution, especially in Western civilization, to better guide us to observe and interpret our world.
This newfound approach to philosophy started primarily with Socrates who changed the academic view of philosophy, by making it a study of life itself[9]. He wrote down nothing but inadvertently passed down his knowledge to several others through oral teachings, and then these individuals proceeded to cultivate this knowledge into schools and institutions[10]. Socrates himself had contrived a contrast from the then popular philosophical concerns of the physical world and deviated instead to inquiries on moral and psychological focal points[11]. Though, his powerful thoughts and ideas, original as they were, weren’t appreciated by all and he was thus accused for refusing to recognize the gods recognized by the state and corrupting the youth[12]. The penalty would be death. He lived on through his students, mainly Plato who grew to be the founder of the Academy, which was the first institution of higher learning in the Western world. This resulted in a lasting continuity and philosophy would also expand even further to influence political theory. Another philosopher that made a lasting impact was Polybius, who was responsible for developing a useful system in telegraphy which was called the Polybius square. It consisted of letters being signaled via the numerical system. This would result and contribute to the idea of cryptography[13]. The early comprehension and intelligence this civilization held has made a difference for us today and shows us how influential the cognition of those before us really was.

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Lastly, another legacy of this ancient civilization is their architecture. All around the world there are pieces of ancient Greek architecture, seen on some of the most important buildings and museums in the modern world. Known most famously for their columns and temples, constructed of sturdy stone and marble, this style of building would be an influential and strong foundation for modern architecture. The Greeks had built their temples and buildings in three different orders. Some examples of famous buildings that duplicate the ancient Greeks is the Lincoln Memorial, the Prado Museum, and Cambridge University.[15] Doric columns and colonnades are also well-known as a borrowed aesthetic in many personal homes. The primary change in these structures is the function. What was less for decoration and more for support, the original concerns were chiefly set on the proportion, perspective and harmony. Advanced innovations of optical refinements in ancient temples would be made invisible to the naked eye, to make the structure perfectly straight and sound[16]. This allows us to see the historical perspective of the importance that this ancient civilization held in precision, inventing formulas for architecture from as early as the sixth century[17], for the purpose an impeccable perfection and durability in their buildings and living quarters.
The most distinct element of the lasting impact of ancient Greek architecture is from antiquity, Greek buildings were replicated by the Romans, thus to be re-discovered in the Renaissance which would put ancient Greece at the center of a 18th century Neo-Classical movement in Western Europe[18], which is what made it a permanent legacy.

In closure, though this advanced civilization perished in 146 BC, the innovations left behind have passed through the millennia’s. We see clearly from their thought processes the impact of philosophy and democracy, giving us a voice in politics, and how these advancements led us to our modern day thinking. This insight would go beyond, and seen physically, where the perfection and accuracy of architecture of this ancient civilization was displayed on temples and buildings. Though ancient Greece is over, their civilization has proven to be a lasting one with such rich and beneficial ideas to pass on.

 

[1] “Ancient Greece for Kids.” Ducksters Educational Site. Accessed March 14, 2019. https://www.ducksters.com/history/ancient_greece.php.

[2] “Athenian Orator Addressing the Council. Illustration from The Illustrated History of the World (Ward Lock, C 1880).” Digital image. Accessed March 14, 2019. https://www.lookandlearn.com/history-images/M070625/Athenian-Orator-addressing-the-Council.

[3] “Greeks Invented Democracy.” ICal. March 04, 2016. Accessed March 14, 2019. https://www.greekboston.com/culture/inventions/democracy/.

[4] Ibid.

[5] Ibid.

[6] Ibid.

[7] “The Consequences of Democracy.” Waylaid Dialectic. March 24, 2014. Accessed March 14, 2019. https://waylaiddialectic.wordpress.com/2010/07/29/the-consequences-of-democracy/.

[8] Digital image. Socrates: The Right Man for Our Age? May 1, 2015. Accessed March 14, 2019. https://www.athensinsider.com/socrates-the-right-man-for-our-age/.

[9] Violatti, Cristian. “Greek Philosophy.” Ancient History Encyclopedia. March 13, 2019. Accessed March 14, 2019. https://www.ancient.eu/Greek_Philosophy/.

[10] Ibid.

[11] “Tailor-Made Travel Experiences.” English. Accessed March 14, 2019. https://athensinsiders.com/the-top-10-ancient-greek-philosophers/.

[12] Ibid.

[13] “Polybius Square.” Crypto Corner. Accessed March 14, 2019. https://crypto.interactive-maths.com/polybius-square.html.

[14] Digital image. Everything You Want to Know About Ancient Greek Architecture. March 19, 2018. Accessed March 14, 2019. https://historyplex.com/ancient-greek-architecture.

[15] “The Influence of Ancient Greek Architecture.” Owlcation. Accessed March 14, 2019. https://owlcation.com/humanities/The-Influence-of-Ancient-Greek-Architecture.

[16] “Reading Greek Temples.” Study Guide: Reading Greek Temples. Accessed March 14, 2019. https://www.reed.edu/classics/studyguides/temples/parthenon-refinements.html.

[17] Metmuseum.org. Accessed March 14, 2019. https://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/grarc/hd_grarc.htm.

[18] Study.com. Accessed March 14, 2019. https://study.com/academy/lesson/neoclassical-greek-architecture.html.

My name is Plato, I was born in 428-7 B.C.E in Athens. Right now, I am Socrates student for philosophy. Earlier, I had planned to pursue a literary career but then I met Socrates teaching in the market and instantly found my calling, devoting myself to philosophy. For us, it is a way of understanding our world. We don’t use religions, myths or magic as a means to interpret our surroundings. Rather, what is being taught now in our philosophy could be rendered more as reason. Socrates is the first moral philosopher in our world, and I firmly believe that his influence will shape a pivotal impression on the perception of life as we know it. Although he is much more than humble with his understandings, constantly reciting to everyone that he knows nothing.
As his student, I idolize him and know he is being much too modest and knows far more than he claims. There are many that declare there is no one wiser than him. He spends his days as a social entrepreneur, questioning the people around town and challenging their thoughts. This has resulted in him having gained a circle of followers, including myself, that are devoting themselves to this newfound philosophy. His primary teachings, which I have chosen to pass on, are a speculation for ethics and morality. His focus is to live a good and virtuous life, to think for ourselves rather than blindly follow societal and religious injunctions.
Since he wrote down none of his teachings, I am taking it upon myself to record most of his ideals. I have aspirations of starting my own academy, travel, and spread the teachings of Socrates world-wide.
Although, as of lately, resentment has grown for Socrates. His constant disputing of virtues with the community has earned him a reputation, and whispers of condemning him for corrupting youth. To carry beliefs beyond what the gods and other superstition dictates has made many uncomfortable that not ready for our philosophical progression.
If he is charged and sentenced to death, I will go against society and choose to carry on his influence to others, as I know he would have wanted. I will start off with a Dialogue and put my literary talents to use, documenting The Last Days of Socrates and The Quest for Truth.

The decline of ancient Greece was a result of many factors over several years. It wasn’t a direct and immediate response; rather, the decline was something that progressed gradually over time. There are three artifacts I have chosen to represent the fall of ancient Greek civilization. The most distinct artifact that I have chosen is the hasta, which translates into a spear.[1] The reasoning other than the obvious intended war purposes is to depict the battle of Corinth. The second artifact chosen was the Pantheon Roman temple, highlighting the cultural assimilation of Greece and Rome. And lastly, I have chosen a coin with Alexander the Great on it, to define his death, the aftermath, and the tenacious impact it left on ancient Greece as an individual civilization.

 

The first object, being the hasta, symbolizes the battle of Corinth. This battle was in 146 BC where the state of Corinth was sacked,[2] and marked the downfall of ancient Greece independence and the onset of Roman occupation.
The hasta translates from Latin to ‘thrusting spear’, which was used to jab and thrust instead of the alternative throwing, which is usually associated with spears. This is what was used chiefly by the Romans in the battle of Corinth. The Romans largely outnumbered the Greece with over 23,000 infantry,[3] it gave little defense in battle for the Greeks. After this successful conquest, women and children were sold into slavery while the men were executed.[4] The destruction of Corinth was a pivotal moment endured in ancient Greek history, as this artifact used contributed a negative change that resulted in the rapid advancement for the decline of Greek civilization. As a turning point in history, the Greeks lost their identity and Roman domination flourished. There is continuity in the artifact of the hasta and the Latin words still exists today in other cultures. Though not in use anymore, the spear is still a famous and well known artifact presented in museums.

The second artifact I chose in order and relevance of the Roman conquest of Greece was the Pantheon Roman temple. During and before Roman domination, Greece still held a predominant influence on culture. Although the Romans spoke Latin as opposed to traditional Greek,[5] their civilization was the culture engine of the Roman Empire. Even when no longer in control, Greece carried onto a cultural assimilation. The Pantheon temple was dedicated to the Greek goddess Athena,[6] a Greek god. The building itself was based off the Doric columns,[7] the first order of columns of Greek architecture. This illustrated the slow and negative change, also a marking point in history where the ancient Greek life would be not only forgotten but also replicated. The worship of Greek gods to the Romans was a form of cultural appropriation, they renamed several of the Gods but the premise and values of them still remained authentic. The Pantheon temple was built several hundred years before the battle of Corinth, and work for the structure began in 447 BC.[8] The shift and modification of traditional Greek religion, though at a much earlier time, initiated not only the decay of the original culture but a positive continuity for the Greeks. It is a pleasant reminder that although they would lose much of their original life, it wasn’t completely buried underneath the Roman conquest.

The last artifact for the decline of Greek civilization is a coin of Alexander the Great on it. Though not in order with Roman conquest, the death of Alexander the great would start a dividing period in ancient Greek history and prove to be their downfall. Politically speaking, this could be considered the beginning of the end for Greece. Since Greece had no specific country or nations, Alexander the Great was known mostly for his uniting of Greek city states and his many victories conquering surrounding lands including Persia.[9] Greece was at its peak in his command and Alexander the Great formed a vast empire. With his death in 323 BC,[10] commenced the start of what is distinguished
as the Hellenistic period. The Hellenistic period did not end until 31 BC,[11] when the last Hellenistic Greek kingdom was conquered by Rome. In this period, Alexander the Great branched out his power between various generals and his family. Once this happened, the city states split, resulting in a huge gap in power. This weakened Greece and constituted much internal conflict. The dissension between city states would keep Greece largely unprotected from external political conflict, thus leaving them vulnerable to Rome. The coin of Alexander the Great that I chose to represent is an important featured artifact because it presents the huge effect he held over the civilization. The coin of Alexander the Great simultaneously embodies a negative change and a positive continuity for ancient Greece. Even 250 years later, the empire still continued to use coins with his name on it. [12]This is a major turning point in history and following the death of Alexander the Great, ancient Greece civilization would turn to a direction that soon afterwards led to its deterioration.

Bibliography:

[1] Smith, William. “Hasta.” Arch of Augustus, 21 Apr. 2018, Accessed January 15, 2019. penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Roman/Texts/secondary/SMIGRA*/Hasta.html.

[2] “Event #35: Destruction of Corinth,” A Timeline Graph of Events, March 22, 2016, , accessed January 15, 2019, https://cof.quantumfuturegroup.org/events/35.

[3] GreekBoston, “What to Know About the Battle of Corinth,” What to Know About the Battle of Corinth, August 14, 2017, , accessed January 15, 2019, https://www.greekboston.com/culture/ancient-history/battle-of-corinth/.

[4] Ibid.

[5] Katherine McDonald, “The Language of the Roman Empire,” History Today, November 11, 2017, , accessed January 15, 2019, https://www.historytoday.com/katherine-mcdonald/language-roman-empire.

[6] The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica, “Parthenon,” Encyclopædia Britannica, November 01, 2018, , accessed January 15, 2019, https://www.britannica.com/topic/Parthenon.

[7] Thomas Sakoulas, “The Parthenon,” History of Minoan Crete, , accessed January 15, 2019, https://www.ancient-greece.org/architecture/parthenon.html.

[8] Ibid

[9] Joshua J. Mark, “Alexander the Great,” Ancient History Encyclopedia, January 13, 2019, , accessed January 15, 2019, https://www.ancient.eu/Alexander_the_Great/.

[10] Ibid

[11] History.com Editors, “Hellenistic Greece,” History.com, February 04, 2010, , accessed January 15, 2019, https://www.history.com/topics/ancient-history/hellenistic-greece.

[12] Andrew McIntyre, “Ancient,Rare,Coins,Alexander,the,Great,Coins,Rare, Seleucid,Coins,Roman,Coins,Greek,Coins,Emperor,Augustus,Emperor,Tiberius,Emperor,Trajan,Emperor,Hadrian,” Coins of Time – Ancient Coin Rings of the Roman Empire, , accessed January 15, 2019, http://www.coinsoftime.com/Articles/Coins_of_Alexander_the_Great.html.

[13]  Roman Weapons. Accessed January 22, 2019. http://www.ancientmilitary.com/roman-weapons.htm. PDF. 2010.

[14]“Rome’s Pantheon.” Rome Segway Tours 10 Facts about the Pantheon Comments. Accessed January 22, 2019. https://romeonsegway.com/10-facts-about-the-pantheon/.

[15]“The Coinage of Alexander The Great.” History Of Macedonia. Accessed January 22, 2019. http://history-of-macedonia.com/2012/06/03/the-coinage-of-alexander-the-great/.

The Ancient Greek civilization flourished by means of colonization. Colonization aided the Greeks, by which increased their population. They established colonies across the Mediterranean[1], which expanded the civilization while also keeping the main culture in tact in each individual colony and balancing a growing population. The purpose of colonization was for trading purposes and resources to find fertile land for crops and development. This therefore increased the economy for Greece, which made for better living conditions for the expanding Greek population.[2] This would assist in preventing starvation, and fostering peace among the various civilizations surrounding the united Greek colonies. While colonization spread, it managed to still keep the identity of Greek culture, principles, and political policies alive. During such, Greek culture was pushed onto indigenous groups and maintained with the original myths and features of Greek life.[3] So, as they expanded in region the principles of Greek life were prominent. The ancient Greeks flourished as a civilization, by moving their beliefs and way of life, expanding the population and resources by advancing their colony to further territories outside of original Greek mainland settlement.

 

“Map of Greek Colonization,” digital image, Ancient Greek Colonization, July 9, 2015, accessed November 27, 2018, https://www.shorthistory.org/ancient-civilizations/ancient-greece/ancient-greek-colonization/.

 

[1] Mark Cartwright. “Greek Colonization.” Ancient History Encyclopedia. 7 May 2018. Accessed on 27 November 2018. https://www.ancient.eu/Greek_Colonization/

[2] Ibid.

[3] Ibid.

 

In ancient Greece, the Doric Columns, one of the primary orders of Greek architecture, the Artemesium Bronze, a famous Greek sculpture symbolising art and athleticism and from the city of Artemesium on the Ionian cost (Turkey today)., and Corinthian helmets were all constitutional innovations and artifacts that could assist in shaping Greece into a developing civilization while also leading an example for the next forthcoming ones.

The first, Doric Columns are a style of column built by ancient Greek architects to hold up sections of buildings. They were invented for the use of supporting ceilings without the use of solid walls which therefore could provide more space and natural lighting to buildings. Out of the several orders developed for the designs of Greek architecture, Doric is one of the earliest. It was a stout, thick and heavy shaft that would hold up most heavy weight. The entire Greek civilization was affected, and then later the Romans as they had adopted idea of the column. And thus, the changes were everlasting, as it has had an enduring impact on even Western architecture today and is seen now in basements as pillars and shown in modern interior design.

The Artemesium Bronze is a 2m tall sculpture that is made of bronze and is meant to represent either Zeus of Poseidon. It was found at the bottom of the sea off cape Artemesium in north Euboea. Many were affected by the artifact simply because sculptures in Greek history were a representation of the Gods and their religion. The goal of many sculptures was to show the “perfect athletic build”, to motivate their own athletes. Its purpose served as a depiction of their religious values. They were likely worshipped at an earlier time by the society.

The next artifact, the Corinthian Helmet, was generally made of bronze, used primarily for combat by Greek warriors. Its name was given by the city in which it was originated in, which was Corinth. The amount of effort and decor it was constructed with would often depict the social standing of the wearer of the helmet. People were affected by the Corinthian helmet because its main purpose provided safety from combat. But it also occupied a piece of Greek culture as well, as young men were often given a helmet as a rite of passage into manhood, and when not being worn it was displayed in homes. Other civilizations were also affected as they had also adopted the style of the Corinthian helmet and gradually made it their own.

 

 

 

 

Bibliography:

Craven, Jackie. “All About the Doric Column.” ThoughtCo. Accessed October 16, 2018. https://www.thoughtco.com/what-is-a-doric-column-177508.

Cartwright, Mark. “Column.” Ancient History Encyclopedia. October 15, 2018. Accessed October 16, 2018. https://www.ancient.eu/column/.

NATIONAL ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM OF ATHENS – OFFICIAL SITE. Accessed October 16, 2018. http://www.namuseum.gr/collections/sculpture/classical/classic02-en.html.

“Corinthian Helmet 7th-6th Century BC.” Collections & Research | National Museum of Ireland. Accessed October 16, 2018. https://www.museum.ie/The-Collections/Documentation-Discoveries/February-2014/Corinthian-Helmet-7th-6th-Century-BC.

“Doric Columns, Remarkable and Famous Buildings, Characteristics of Doric.” Ancient Greece Facts.com. Accessed October 16, 2018. http://www.ancientgreecefacts.com/doric-columns/.

The Hoplite Battle Experience. Accessed October 16, 2018. https://sites.psu.edu/thehopliteexperience/the-corinthian-helmet/.

Thanks for joining me!

Good company in a journey makes the way seem shorter. — Izaak Walton