Ancient Greek Contributions To Western Civilization

What does it mean to contribute? By dictionary definition contribute means give in order to help achieve or provide something. Contribute is exactly what the Ancient Greeks did. The Ancient Greeks works have greatly contributed to the development of the Western Civilization. The Ancient Greeks works in mathematics contributed to the development of Western civilizations developments in mathematics. The Ancient Greeks development in the government system democracy is a very important contribution to the Western civilization as democracy is their system of government. The Ancient Greek philosophers developed philosophies that have integrated themselves into the Western civilization. The Ancient Greeks developments are very important to Western

Pericles was a primary contributor to the development of democracy. Pericles introduced direct democracy to the Greek city-state Athens. While the Western civilization does not have a direct democracy but a representative democracy. Athens had one of the most democratic government of all time. The Athenian democracy was also the first government to introduce the idea of citizens having the ability to bring up legal charges. Athens also developed a written code of laws that based on the fact that all were equal under law. While their laws might have been a little outrageous it is still a contribution as the Western civilization has many written laws and their foundation is equality to all. Another contribution is the idea that citizens could propose laws. An Athenian leader named Cleisthenes came up with the idea. In Western civilization all citizens are allowed to submit laws called a bill then the bill will go through a governmental process and if agreed upon becomes a law. In conclusion the Ancient Greeks contributed numerous governmental ideals to the Western Civilization and is arguable one of their most important contribution to all

One of the most renowned Greek philosophers was Socrates. There is not much known about Socrates’ personal life. Socrates primary philosophy was that “the unexamined life is not worth living.” Socrates lived by this philosophy; Socrates questioned traditional ways of Athenian thought. Socrates also challenged people to question political and social truths. Socrates questioning ultimately led to his demise. Socrates ability to intellectually and humorously challenge the traditional ways of life way admired by many Athenians, but how every coin has a back Socrates also made many enemies in the Athenian people as they felt he threatened their ways of life. Socrates was ultimately executed. This philosophy of questioning everything is heavily involved in Western civilization. This philosophy of having the ability to question freely is even stated in Western civilization. The first American Constitutional Amendment included that “ no law… prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech.” The ability to have the freedom of speech was a huge step in the development of giving Americans the ability to question government and political decisions and legally cannot be