Ancient Greece

Ancient Greek Civilization has been one of the most influential and significant civilizations throughout history. Ancient Greeks made very important contributions to the civilization of the ancient world and the future civilizations. Politically, intellectually, and artistically, the Greeks influenced the world of the past and the future societies. Greece may look like a small country, but it was the birth of the greatest influences in ancient and modern life. To begin with, geography played an important role in the development of Greek civilization.

Ancient Greece was the most highly developed civilization. It was the birthplace of the first Western civilization. It was located in the continent of Europe. Also, Greece is peninsula and it is on a land near the Mediterranean Sea. I believe it is the most advanced ancient civilization because the Ancient Greeks introduced some very significant contributions to the world such as certain things in philosophy, art and architecture, and math and science.

As ancient Greek mythology began to evolve, the Age of Gods and Mortals had created such an epic beginning for stories to revolve around. Greeks regarded mythology as a part of their history. They used myth to explain natural phenomena, cultural variations, traditional beliefs and friendships. Greece had been mainly defined by its numerous accounts of various wars and battles, as well as its incredible architecture, but nothing had defined Greece better then its vast majority of mind- boggling myths and legends (Hamilton. 16).

They sacrificed animals, and other things that were special to them. The Greeks built temples, where they worshipped the gods. Each city had several temples, because each temple was used to worship one god. In each temple, there was a statue of a god that they worshipped. They had an extra big temple, and statue for the god that guarded their city.

Ancient Greek Religion: Mycenaean to Classical Period Ancient Greece has been a religion- centered culture since the earliest period of habitation in Greece, the Pre-Mycenaean/Mycenaean period. Also through to the Dark Ages to the Classical period. It is a religiously centered civilization, and did have significant changes in the how it was incorporated into people’s daily lives. Religion is important to know about the Ancient Greeks because through it we are able to understand how they lived their lives. Greek Religion in the Mycenaean period was practiced within caves ,or rock shelters according to The Minoan- Mycenaean Religion and its Survival in Greek Religion and were known as, nature sanctuaries(Nilsson,1950, p.54).

Roman artwork is extremely intricate and diverse, however, a lot of what is referred to as Roman art can better be described by the cultures it conquered. The ancient Greeks were the most influential of these cultures, from their temples and sculptures, to their reliefs and paintings. Greece was the first culture to create major programs for sculpture, painting, and architecture. Many of the first Roman artists were of Greek descent as their artwork reflects the Classical and Hellenistic periods of ancient Greece. A lot of what is considered to be Roman artwork is criticized as being mere copies of Greek artwork since they modeled their forms and styles after the Greeks, but other cultures influenced the Romans as well, mainly the Etruscans,

Long after the Roman army captured Athens, the principles of Greek architecture continued to govern building designs in mainland Greece and in Anatolia and strongly influenced Roman architecture throughout the empire. Greek architecture changed and evolved over a number of years. The creative architecture of the Greeks led to the construction of some of the best known buildings in history. Therefore, the Greek's advancements in the field of architecture were not only beneficial to their civilizations, but ours as well.

With entrepreneurs and merchants seeking new markets, trade networks were expanded. The Greeks who did move out into the world brought back with them the polis, its political system and ideals (In

Alexander spread Greek culture throughout Egypt, eastern Mediterranean, and Asia. Throughout periods in Greek times there have been advances in art, literature, philosophy, architecture, metal and bronze, city-states, religions, and etc. Greek conquest expanded and spread Greek cultures and ways of life therefore making Greece a large empire with great influence.

Greeks and Mythology In Ancient times the people of the world were very curios and wondered how things came about in the world they lived in. In order to answer their growing questions, authors wrote myths. These myths explained how a certain thing came about in the world. Some stories explained why it thundered others how the earth revolved the sun, while others told stories of heroes. These heroes were a gateway to the common man and his problems, so everyone wanted to read about them.