The modern world has been shaped by the rise and fall of many different civilizations. Many scholars would argue that both the cultures of ancient Greece and ancient Rome have had a strong effect on modern life, particularly in Europe and North America. However, Ancient Greek culture has had a greater impact on modern life than ancient Roman culture. The ancient Greeks created a bounty of stories and concepts that are still referenced today. A few of these include the extensive Greek mythology, also used in the entertainment industry, detailed architecture that is seen on countless high-profile buildings, and the prestigious Olympic Games, which serves as an international unifier. Opposers would say that ancient Roman architecture was so …show more content…
The renowned mythology of ancient Greece has inspired authors and artists throughout the centuries, creating stories, poems, artwork, and sculptures that pull names and ideas from the ancient myths. Buxton says in The Complete World of Greek Mythology, “From Spenser and Shakespeare to Milton and Racine, from Botticelli and Titian to Rubens and Rembrandt, the greatest writers and artists between the 15th and 17th centuries expressed themselves through a creative engagement with the classical myths” (230). Some of the most well known paintings of this time period include Birth of Venus by Botticelli in c.1486, Landscape with the Fall of Icarus by Pieter Bruegel the Elder in c.1567, Venus and Adonis by Titian in c.1570-1576, and The Rape of Ganymede by Rembrandt in 1635. These paintings show the influence that mythology has had on life after ancient Greece because all of these paintings were created many years after the prime of Ancient Greece. Sculptures of classic mythological characters were created later on using more modern materials, including the bronze used to create Perseus Holding the Head of Medusa by Cellini in c.1546-1554 and the marble used to sculpt Apollo and Daphne by Bernini in c.1622-1625 (Buxton,
This essay is trying to expose the ways Greek culture influenced the Odyssey. Religion, A household run by a male, and the idea of a true hero led to the creation of The Odyssey.
During the Hellenistic period, importance shifted towards the depiction of heroes and nobility. The Judgment of Paris and Alexander mosaic are perfect examples. The Judgment of Paris describes a contest to see who is the “fairest” goddess of them all. This choice was left Paris, the prince of Troy. After he made his choice, his prize Helene was abducted, eventually leading to the Trojan War. This is just one version of the myth. A picture can bring about different interpretations. One can assume that multiple differences would lead to conflict in the everyday lives of ancient Rome and Greece. However, the variations of these myths was truly fascinating addition to history. Art has helped expand the imagination of many, helping the transfer of information for generations. The Alexander mosaic is one of the most historically influential mosaics during this time. The Alexander mosaic dates back to 100 B.C. and lays out the Battle of Issus with use of multiple textures and colors to show depth. Alexander the Great was a Roman hero admired by many during his conquest. Every young child aspired to be half the warrior he was. This child would eventually become a hero in reality, displaying the true power of a simple myth. The Alexander mosaic helps show his greatness in this heated battle. The combinations of logos and muthos aids in the mystery myths
It is always important to look to the past in order to move towards the future. This was done in the formation of Western Society, and more specifically the formation of American society. The Greek culture served as a frame of reference for many aspects of Western life including government, architecture, math and the arts. Ancient Greek culture served as a very broad base for our society to be built upon.
The Greeks believed that the earth was formed before any of the gods appeared. The gods, as the Greeks knew them, all originated with Father Heaven, and Mother Earth. Father Heaven was known as Uranus, and Mother Earth, as Gaea. Uranus and Gaea raised many children. Amoung them were the Cyclopes, the Titans, and the Hecatoncheires, or the
Without our past we are nothing. The Greek and Roman civilization were marvelous civilizations of the AD times. If you look around today you can see advancements we made off of concepts we borrowed from the Ancient Greeks and Romans. Today, we owe much of our understanding to them; they were very knowledgeable of many things. The Greeks and Romans although they were very old civilizations have managed to impact our daily lives in the some of the most fantastic ways possible.
They had similar beliefs, but also immeasurable differences. It was composed of many meaningful gods and goddesses that all played a part in the everyday life of the average Roman and Greek person of that time.
Since the Hellenistic Age was a new cultural for the Greeks, I want to discuss the famous statue of Venus the Milo which was made between 150-125 BCE. You can see the transformation between the Classical Era by how it was made. They used a carving technique to make the detailed statue of a nude female whose drape is below her waist. It's a three dimensioned statue focusing on the Greek God of love. Per Kleiner, “The Venus de Milo is a larger-than-life-size marble statue of Aphrodite found on Melos together with its inscribed base (now lost) signed by the sculptor Alexandros of Antioch-on-the-meander.” (78) It was carved out of marbled and where you can see emotions and action coming out of the sculpture.
Mythology was an integral part of the lives of all ancient peoples. The myths of
The architecture was also a big benefactor in western civilizations. roman architecture and Greek architecture are very similar except that the Romans developed a different style of their own. In Washington DC we can see examples of how the roman and Greeks influence changed our architecture. For example the Lincoln memorial. the Jefferson memorial, and the capital building. Did you know that even our modern day sports arenas have been influenced? Our sports arenas are very similar in style to the Colosseum in Rome. As you can see western civilizations like the Romans and Greeks style and decided to use
The tales of Greek heroes and the gods are older than all of us. Most of these tales are thought to be myths, but every interpretation of Greek mythology and the stories that it contains correlates with something in the real world today. The story of the creation of the world, and the stories of the heroes Hercules, Perseus and Theseus, are only but a few of the compelling stories Greek mythology has to offer.
"When in Rome, live as the Romans do; when elsewhere, live as they live elsewhere." Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be a Roman or Greek? Well, Ancient Greece and Rome have influenced American society throughout the Roman Republic, Greek architecture, and Greek Olympics. There are many interesting facts you should know about Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome! Did you know that the first Olympic Games were held in 776 B.C. at the Greek city of Olympia? Or that the Colosseum received millions of visitors every year, and is the most famous tourist attraction of Rome? You can learn many things about how American society has been influenced by the Ancient Romans and Greeks.
The Ancient Olympics were huge in introducing sports and events that we now play. The sports that were played in the Ancient Olympics consisted of boxing, chariot racing, riding, pentathlon, discus, javelin, jump, running, and wrestling. All those sport would have never been played without the Greeks introducing them. These sports have become very popular and a lot of people play them. For example wrestling can be played at very young ages and all the way through high school. Another example is running, jumping, javelin, and discus which are all played in high school and some even in elementary.
One of the most renowned inspirations from the Greeks would be the Greek philosophy of citizenship and Roman impact on the legal world. In Greece, a true member of society was a participating citizen which directly correlates with the modern world in how we as societies view participation in government. In contrast, Roman inspiration on the modern world is heavily seen through architecture especially with columns and the pantheon. In the United States, the US Capitol Building was built with a dome shaped rotunda resembling the pantheon in a way to symbolize power and strength as such the Romans did through their temples. In regards to religion, the ancient Romans are responsible for the spread of Christianity which is today the most followed religion in the world. Both ancient Greece and Rome have influenced the daily aspects of modern life through the Greek style of showering which is a daily ritual for most decent humans and the Roman style of eating three-meals a day and even dessert which are special daily rituals especially for college students. Even so, both civilizations have directly influenced the American system of government from the basis of democracy in Greece to the bicameral legislature of Rome that was a defining factor is the establishment of our nation through the Great Compromise. Furthermore, the seventh amendment to the United States Constitution establishing a trial by jury is a direct reflection of ancient Greece policies as well as the checks and balances system of Rome that the federal government cherishes. A popular reincarnation of the Greek life on modern culture is the use of the Greek alphabet to name fraternities and sororities. While this is not a direct reincarnation of the Greek lifestyle, the fraternities and sororities use the Greek alphabet to give themselves a
The Greek culture has had a huge impact on the history of the world. There is something Greek in almost everything, especially in the world’s architecture. Greece no longer had one king, so they focused on building temples for their gods. Architecture began small and plain but evolved into impressive pieces of art. As time passed from the Archaic period to the Hellenistic period, the people of Greece developed a type of formula for their buildings and their pieces of art.
In conclusion, the Olympics have been a substantial part of our culture today, as it was during the age of ancient Greece. The Olympics continue today in close replication of the classical Olympics. The Olympic games are an example of the many contributions ancient Greece has passed on to Western civilizations.