6th+hour+Ancient+Greece

6th hour Ancient GreeceAncient Greece contributed to the modern world in many ways. It was home to some of the greatest minds of all time. In Athens, Greece, took place the first olympics and the invention of theater as well as one of the first polytheistic religions. They also came up with the concept of math and politics. Here are some of the important aspects of Ancient Greek civilization:



Greek arts and architecture was based on Plato's idea that everything on Earth had an ideal form. Greek works of art had beauty and order. A famous greek temple called the parthenon was made to honor the greek goddess Athena. The shape and grace of the work conveyed the harmony of the universe. Greek sculptors carved figures in poses to imitate egyptian styles. The only paintings to survive were on vases.



Famous greek writers Herodotus (AKA Father of History) and Thucydides created standards for future historians. Herodotus told the importance of research and Thucydides recorded the past. Both writers took on their own viewpoints on the savagery of greek wars. Some examples of greek works of literature are Tragedies, stories of human suffering, and Comedies, and humorous stories that made fun of other people.



Pericles believed that all male citizens, regardless of social class, should take part in the government. Athens began to pay men in public office. This let poor men take part in the government. Athenians had a direct democracy where a large amount of male were involved in their government every day. Because of Pericles athens became more democratic.

Ancient greeks believed in more than one god. They also believed the gods lived on Mt. Olympus. Greeks honored their gods with temples and celebrations. Greeks consulted the oracles to discover the will of the gods. Zeus was the king of the gods. His wife was the goddess of marriage. Her name was Hera. Some people didn't believe in gods, but in scienctific answers.

There was a wide range of jobs in Ancient Greece. Since new temples rose to remind the Athenians that the gods favored them, jobs were created for artisans and workers. There was also jobs for thinkers, writers, and artists to help Pericles and Aspasia support the arts. There was also great jobs for participating in government. Male citizens had the chance to work in public offices, even if you were poor. Male citizens also had the chance to participate in day-to-day affairs.



The social classes here are the upper, middle, and lower classes, and the slaves were at the bottom. To be part of the upper class, you must be a citizen and not have a job. Upper class men need slaves to carry out their things such as property and fortune. When the slaves do this, the upper class can focus on their society. Mostly made up of non citizens, the middle class had a great experience. By being merchants, contractors, manufacturers, managers, tradesmen, artists, and craftsmen, they were able to find economic liberty. Like the middle class, the lower class is made up of non citizens, except some had been slaves. The slaves were employed by the government and by the people. They worked as clerks, attendants, minor officials, policemen, and they worked at homes of their owners.

Two of the most famous cities in Ancient Greece are Sparta and Athens. Sparta was ruled by two kings and a council of elders who had a different outlook on life. Spartans didn't care about the arts, they cared about having a strong army. When healthy children were born, they were prepared to be part of the military. They were raised in barracks and trained to their breaking point. When they reach 30, they were ready for their army. Athens, on the other hand, wasn't like Sparta. Athens was a democracy, but even though people had a say in government decisions, only male citizens could participate in government, and citizenship was limited.



Public works in Ancient Greece was one of their greatest influences. It improved their economy and their life style. The people admired these public works so much they spent lots of money on them. These works were adored through the Hellenistic and Roman periods and it was started by Hippodamus of Miletus.



So as you have read Ancient Greece has contributed much to our everyday society, from competitive sports to the invention of theatre. Without ancient greece would have been much, much different. Ancient greece always kept beauty and order in their work, something that people should appreciate and imitate in every aspect of their lives.

Elisabeth Gaynor Ellis, Anthony Esler, with Senior Consultant Burton F. Beers, 1997. //World History: Connections to Today.// Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Prentice Hall.

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