...Category | Greeks | Romans | Government | In ancient times, Greece was an independent, self governing city-state. Greece also invented democracy. The Greek government was divided into monarchies, oligarchies, tyrannies and democracies and in the Mycenean period (between 2000 and 1200 BC) all Greek city-states were ruled by kings (Carr, 2011) | In the earlier days Rome was governed by kings, but ancient Rome was schooled to form their own government and rule themselves ((Hons), 2011) | Geography Terrain | The Greeks had a mountainous terrain and rugged coastline; offering great protection from foreign invasions but hindering them from communication and trade (Buzzle.com, 2000-2010, 2011). The geography of ancient Greece was divided into 3 regions; the coast, the lowlands, and the mountains allowing for less than 20 percent of the land to be farmed (Rymer, 2010) | Rome was inland and also had hills and mountains running through it but they were not nearly as rugged to navigate through as the hills and mountains of Greece. Also the rivers that ran through the peninsula were shallow and easy to cross (Ashe, unknown). | Economy | Because of the mountainous and hilly land Greece placed much emphasis on importing goods (Walter Scheidel, 2007). | Ancient Roman currency and economy was an agrarian and slave based economy. Agriculture and the barter system controlled Roman economies (United Nations of Roma Victrix, 2011) | Trade Practices | Surrounded by water the seas always...
Words: 839 - Pages: 4
...person and ministry of Jesus of Nazareth. The Christian religion, as with the ancient Greek religion, was first generated through the oral tradition. Jesus was believed to be the only Son of God by the early Christians, and this belief has endured in the modern Christian world. The Holy Bible, consisting of the Old and New Testament, is the basic scripture for Christians, and although Christianity and Greek Mythology are very distinct, they are similar in many interesting ways. Statement of Purpose I am a Christian, and in writing this piece I am in no way saying that Christianity is a myth. It is my intention to point out how Greek mythology and Christianity are similar, and nothing more. It is interesting to learn how ancient people lived and worshiped, and psychology finds mythology useful in classifying modern modes of action. Three Major Ways Greek Mythology and Christianity are Similar Although the gods and heroes of Ancient Greece are not worshiped today, this ancient religion is still comparable to modern Christianity. Greek mythology and Christianity are similar in that they: (1) teach a moral way of life; (2) teach that a woman (Pandora or Eve) caused the downfall of mankind; (3) and both have a savior figure. Although Greek mythology and Christianity are similar, they differ in their concept of sacrifice, punishment, and doctrine, and I will discuss this in a separate piece. A Moral Way of Life To begin, Greek mythology and Christianity are similar in that they both...
Words: 919 - Pages: 4
...Without scientific answers, like we have today, the Ancient Greeks created their own answers about the world and what their place was in it. Over 2000 years ago the Greeks created the names and ideas of a myth and mythology. What they created were tales that are now known as myths. “A myth is a story based on tradition” (“Myths and Heroes” PBS.). Merriam Webster’s dictionary defines myth as, “a usually traditional l story of ostensibly historical events that serves to unfold part of the world view of a people or explain a practice, belief, or natural phenomenon.” (Def.1a). These myths described the values and feelings that bounded members of society. The stories explained,...
Words: 1162 - Pages: 5
...Greek Mythology Intro Greek mythology is the myths and legends the ancient Greeks centered their lives around. The ancient Greeks used these myths to explain the events and components of the world around them. Their religion included gods and heroes, creation stories, and the origins of their civilizations and rituals. It is topic that had been studied and examined in great depth for thousands of years. This fascinating religion's messages and influences are reflected in today’s modern society, and many similarities can be found between Greek mythology and modern religions, such as Christianity. The twelve Olympian Gods and their Myths To begin with, many of the beliefs that the Ancient Greeks believed in were based on the Olympians. The Olympians were a group of twelve gods who ruled after they overthrew the Titans. All of the Olympians are related in some way and they were named after their dwelling, Mount Olympus. The three major gods are Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades. Their father, Kronos, was the leader of the Titans, he was cruel and was so determined not to lose his throne that he ate his children alive. But one child, Zeus was spared because his mother, Rhea, fed Krono’s a rock disguised as a baby instead of Zeus himself. Zeus defeated his father by chopping him up into little pieces and scattering his remains across the world. Then Zeus released all of Krono’s children that his father had eaten. These gods were Poseidon, Hades, Hestia, Demeter, and...
Words: 1242 - Pages: 5
...Outline of Ancient Greece Paper 1. Introduction to Ancient Greece * What is ancient Greece? * How long did Ancient Greece last? * How did Ancient Greece impact western civilization? 2. Archaic period * Duration of the Archaic period * Characteristics of the Archaic period * Impact of the Archaic period on Greece’s culture 3. Classical Greece * Duration of the Classical period * Characteristics of the Classical period * Impact of the Classical period on Greece’s culture 4. Hellenistic Greece * Duration of the Hellenistic period * Characteristics of the Hellenistic period * Impact of the Hellenistic period on Greece’s culture 5. Roman Greece * Transition to Roman Greece * Characteristics of the period under Roman rule * Impact of the Greek culture on Rome 6. Political structure of Ancient Greece 7. Social structure of Ancient Greece 8. War in Ancient Greece 9. Religion in Ancient Greece 10. Impact of Ancient Greece on today Introduction to Ancient Greece I chose to write about Ancient Greece because my heritage is from that area of the world and that makes it very interesting to me. The period of time that ancient Greece covers spans for about one thousand years and includes several stages of cultural, economic, and political development. This period was also very important because many consider it the time when western culture was born and developed. However, before ancient Greece...
Words: 1761 - Pages: 8
...Even though the ancient Greek culture is polytheistic, and the new Christian faith, now the official religion of Rome, is monotheistic, this is not the main religious difference of the two cultures. Odysseus lives in a time, when gods are like people; Augustine lives in a time, when the Christian god is different; and He is expects people to be more like Him. Homer reflects the religious beliefs of the ancient world, while writing about “the heroic lives of the protagonists, not the rightness of the god’s plans for them” (DeVaney-Lovinguth). The Odyssey focuses on one man who survives war, personal tragedy, and human, as well as supernatural enemies. The story is, in the words of Athena, about “godlike Odysseus” (Book I, Line 71). But, Augustine...
Words: 703 - Pages: 3
...Roman Life at that time. Greek- Island of Thera Buried Minoan settlement of Akrotiri (Thera Eruption ) Archeological digs have been able to help us to know more about the people of Akrotiri buildings. Roman The exact date of the eruption of Pompeii is widely known and accepted as fact. That is because the blast was so huge, that it caused tree rings to change showing that a significant event occurred. (Archaeology's Interactive Dig, 2001-2003) Greek We don’t have a clear picture of the date of the Eruption of Thera. There is a lot of controversy about the date. Because they are unable to link it to another event to establish the chronology with sufficient proof and the carbon dating has been inconsistent. However it is thought to be around 1630 to 1780’s . (The Eruption of Thera: Date and Implications, 2006) The eruption of Thera brought life to an end for the Cyclades culture. Although there are virtually no artifacts left there to help us understand the life there, we have uncovered buildings. Most of what we know of this region was found through the burial sites where we have found art and artifacts. (Sayre, 2010) Philosophy Greek: Homer- 800 BCE Socrates & Plato 469-347 BCE Aristotle 384-323 BCE Roman Venus: Georgics Greek - Homer: Wrote the Iliad & Odyssey a tale about the the war between Mycenae and Troy between 1800 and 1300 BCE. Roman - Poems: Moral Right and Wrong & Human Destiny. Greeks- A sense of idealism Socrates...
Words: 1000 - Pages: 4
...Greek Mythology Lindsey Schneider Monday, Wednesday, Friday 8:00 A.M\ Mrs. Martin Greek mythology is the body of myths and teachings that belong to the ancient Greeks. Greek mythology concerned the gods and heroes of the Greek religion, the nature of the world in which they lived, and the origins and significance of their own cult and ritual practices. The myths that these Greeks came up with were the answers to everything (History.com). The times were much simpler and they did not have real explanations for anything that happened around them. They could not answer questions about the weather, or why things happen in the way that they do. The myths and the ideas of immortal beings, being in control of everything around them gave them a sense of understanding. The idea of gods and goddesses helped to justify the social system in which they lived and gave some meaning to the world people saw around them (History.com). In Greek Mythology, perhaps one of the most rudimental yet one of the most important elements are the Greek Gods and Goddesses. Unlike religious gods today, though, the Greek gods resembled human being in their form and their emotions, and suffered from the same dilemmas humans throughout time have faced ranging from love triangles to the loss of a child and even in plenty of cases, childish fights. The ancient Greeks believed in a numerous amount of gods and depicted them to be very much like people. The gods were said...
Words: 1770 - Pages: 8
...are ancient Greek myths because they influenced the ancient Greeks’ daily life and developed a sense of community within each city state. The people of ancient Greece believed that the diverse range of deities within Greek mythology influenced and controlled life on Earth, which made all aspects of life dependent on the attitudes of the gods. Each deity possessed specific desirable traits making them admired by the ancient Greeks. However, the gods also showed moral weakness to represent how it is natural to be influenced by temptation. It is interesting that the most powerful individuals in the universe were given flaws, which made each god and goddess more relatable. Mythology was intertwined...
Words: 885 - Pages: 4
...Egypt has one of the richest cultural and religious histories in the world. The level of advancement of the ancient Egyptian culture was higher than that of its neighbors. The Egyptian culture helped in the advancement of various aspects of humanity. The significance of the Egyptian culture in the modern day world makes it one of the most studied cultures in the world. Contemporary mathematics has its roots in the ancient Egyptian culture. Ancient Egyptians used various form to express their culture. Of all the forms used to express Ancient Egyptian culture, none is more significant than the Egyptian art. Ancient Egyptian art give insights into the ancient Egyptian culture. In ancient Egypt, sculpture had a significant religious and political importance. Art symbolized various seasons and religious practices. Sculpture continues to have a significant political and religious importance in the contemporary world, just as it did in the ancient Egyptian culture. The giant stone head of King Amenhotep III is one of the sculptures that symbolize ancient Egyptian culture. The giant stone head of King Amenhotep III is 2.5 meters high and is a portrait of the king with very youthful features. The head has double crowns, which represent the unification of the Upper and Lower Egypt. The upper crown of ancient Egyptian kings was white with the lower crown being red. In essence, the king was the symbol of the unification of the ‘two lands’ (Kuhrt 125). Egyptian art for kings was usually...
Words: 775 - Pages: 4
...the Persian Empire, and he is also known as one of the greatest warrior in History. Tarn explain “Alexander the Great and the Unity of Mankind” (pg 348). During the ancient Greek, leader were consider king and queen and Alexander was oring connect to Philip, Demetrist and other descent before he. Alexander in light of what he believed were his philosophical belief. Alexander pray for peace harmony and unity between the Persian and the Greeks at Opis. According to Raleigh lecture “Alexander the Great and the Unity of mankind” (Raleigh, 1933). Alexander philosophy is that “kinship or brotherhood of mankind are men, brothers and sons of God” however he is more convinced that God made him has one of the best one. He also belief that “all men were sons of one father and his prayer was the expression of his recorded belief that he had a mission from God to be the Reconciler of the world”.Alexander multiple believe have shaped his actions because he think like a warrior, and a reconciler of the world. Tarn...
Words: 925 - Pages: 4
...The early Greek and Roman cultures fundamentals or descriptions were illustrated in the table beneath. Greek Culture Roman Culture Government Aristocrats once ruled the Greeks. After a number of years of war, the Democracy was presented and effective. Political, philosophical, and literary held great concerns. (Economic History, 2010) The Roman government is an uncompromising version of the Greeks. From the Monarchy there is a civilization change, holding the military and political control was the Aristocratic republic. “Executive, legislative and the judicial branch” were the branches that were presumed so that the political control would be composed. (2)(UN RV History, 2011) Geographical Greece is a peninsula. It has several smaller peninsulas attached. Peninsula meaning it is enclosed by water on three sides. Southwestern Europe is where it is positioned. It is “51,000 square miles” (Kidport, 2012) The “Seven Hills and The Tiber River” is what Rome’s geographical area consists of. (Maps of World, 2000) It forms the “backbone of the peninsular” and it is the western part of the Apennine Mountains. (Maps of World, 2000) Terrain Greece is roughly 20% made up of island and it has a small amount of plans, the rugged mountainous and the rocky terrain is what divided the cities and the states. (Kidport, 2012) As for the land, it was not capable of sustaining plant life and it was unnourished. On both sides there were small islands with swampy...
Words: 921 - Pages: 4
...Ancient Greek Religion Final “What is Ancient Greek religion?” Main focus on the element of festivals, sanctuaries, and cults and how these all incorporate their own unique aspects when defining Ancient Greek religion. The Greek religious system depended not on a single deity, but on many. It did not depend on a sacred text and was served by both female and male priests. Greek gods did not assert rules for human conduct. The Ancient Greeks imagined human shapes and personalities for the immortal deities and then honored them in rituals that both comforted individuals and supported existing social systems. Religion in Ancient Greece was about community. While an individual does not have to believe the same thing as the community, they do have to participate equally in the religious actions. Belief was not the important thing. But if you don’t participate with the community, that will anger everyone and it offends the gods and endangers the community. It is treason to not participate. Greek religion is about action, not belief. It’s about give and take. The practice of religion cannot be separated from social and political life. Many concepts of Greek religion could be seen to benefit more than just the religious aspects. * Sanctuaries * Two most necessary features (directly related to ritual): * A place of sacrifice * A boundary line marking the space within which sacred rituals could be performed * Most sanctuaries were...
Words: 617 - Pages: 3
...Early Greek Cultures Religion- Greeks believe that gods and goddesses watch over them and their daily activities. Greeks believe that the gods and goddesses could foretell the future. The Greek gods and goddesses resemble humans and live on Mount Olympus. Trade- the Greeks traded surplus abroad for slaves and other materials such as grain, timber and metals. They also had people who monitored the shipments to make sure they weighed right, it was the right size and price as well. Philosophy- The word philosophy came from two Greek words meaning love of wisdom. Philosophers would speculate about the underlying substance of the universe and how the universe is operated. But the Greek continued to believe in their traditional values and their traditional religion. Arts- the Greeks developed the temples. The Greek temples were an arrangement of columns around a long, inner chamber. They also had sculptors of the gods, goddesses and human beings. Government- the Greeks had tyrants to control the lands. They made sure the land was divided equally. (World Book) This picture is of the Parthenon. It was built in honor of the Greek goddess Athena. Athena represents the human aspiration for knowledge and the ideal of wisdom. (Ancient Civilizations) Roman Cultures Religion- in the Roman culture Christianity offered those who were facing a hard life the promise of salvation and the hope of an eternal afterlife. Law- The law was an early codification known as the Law of the Twelve...
Words: 418 - Pages: 2
...parts of the world began to live in organized communities with distinct political, military, economic, and social structures” (Judith & Learner, 123-129). Basically, Western Civilization is rich and famous for its progressive development and constant changes in people`s lives. She appeared in ancient Greece and ancient Rome. The first stage of its development, known as "ancient civilization", was marked by the emergence of the core values of Western-type society: the relations of private ownership, private production, market-oriented, the first “government by the people” – democracy, republican form of government. In the early times of Western Civilization the foundations of civil society to ensure individual rights and freedoms were established, as well as socio-cultural system of principles, the mobilization of creativity and development of the individuals (Judith & Learner, 130). There are many significant events that happened in Western Civilization and influenced today`s world, as some of them have significantly affected our modern lifestyle and undoubtedly changed our society. Nevertheless, I think the three major elements that happened in Western Civilization are: The Rise of Christianity, the appearance of Democracy, and the invention of the printing press. To start with, I strongly believe the Rise of Christianity is one of the most significant events that have ever happened in our world. In today`s world Christianity is thought to be the biggest religion, as about...
Words: 2580 - Pages: 11
