Greece Essay

Gianna Simonetti December 2, 2012
Ms. Foiles
At its height, Greece set ongoing values in arts and architecture, literature, politics, philosophy, and sports that are still prominent today. Greece’s golden age lasted from 461-429 B.C. Democratic philosophies and classical culture thrived during Greece’s golden age.

The Greeks were known for their masterpieces sculptures and in architecture. The Greek arts and architecture was glorious. Pericles encouraged the advancements in art and even bought gold, ivory and marble to include in the art. The Greeks made very detailed sculptures and statues of the people they honored. The statues were usually made from marble. In architecture, the Greeks are famous for their columns. The columns were put on important buildings, like the Parthenon and the Acropolis. There are three types of columns; the Doric columns, the Ionic columns, and the Corinthian columns. Greek art prospered during the golden age.

The ancient Greeks made various contributions to the field of literature. They made innovations of poetry and created the genres of tragedies and comedies. One famous Greek poet was Homer, who lived around 750 B.C. Homer was the author of the Iliad and the Odyssey. The Iliad and the Odyssey are famous Greek epics. The Iliad is the chief source of information about the Trojan War. The Odyssey tells of many struggles of the Greek hero Odysseus on his return home to his faithful wife, Penelope, after the war of Troy. The Iliad and the Odyssey reveal a lot about the values of the ancient Greeks.
As the Greek world expanded after 750 B.C., the Greeks evolved unique version of the city-state, which they called polis. The population of each city-state was fairly small, which helped the citizens share a sense of responsibility for its triumphs and defeats. The ancient Greek government varied from a monarchy, an aristocracy, an oligarchy and a direct democracy. A monarchy has a king as a ruler, ruling is hereditary, there was a claim to divine right and it was used in Mycenae in 2000 B.C. An aristocracy had power by nobility, the power was hereditary and based on family ties, social rank and wealth and was used in Athens prior to 594 B.C. An oligarchy was a ruling by a small group of citizens, the rulers were chosen by wealth or ability, they controlled the military and it was used in Sparta by 500 B.C. A direct democracy was a state ruled by it citizens, the rulers were chosen by citizenship, they made decisions by majority rule and it was used in Athens around 500 B.C. Ancient Greek philosophy was very important and still is today. Three of the most famous philosophers were Aristotle, Plato and Socrates. Aristotle developed ideas about government. He thought a democracy could lead to mobs. He set up a branch of knowledge called the Lyceum. Plato had his idea of his ideal society as philosophers ruled, soldiers defended, and the workers made the necessities needed for everyday living. Plato was Socrates’ student. Socrates was an Athenian stonesman and philosopher. He had a method that is today is called the Socratic method. The Socratic method is a system on inquiry. He used this on his student and even on random people.
The Greeks were very influenced by sports because of their interest in the human body and because of their competitive nature. Every four years, in Southern Greece, the Olympics would take place. The Olympics were a series of competitive games that would determine the most athletic person. Contenders would compete in sports like chariot racing, running, boxing, discus and many more. The prize was fame and an olive wreath. Over 50,000 people would go to watch the games. The games would end in a feast with an abundant amount of food, especially oxen. People would come from everywhere for trading, entertainment and politicians made speeches.
In conclusion, many of the ancient Greek virtues are still used today. Greece set many standards for the people after to follow. The Ancient Greek arts and architecture, literature, politics, philosophy and sports are still similar to what is used in modern times. The Greeks left an eternal legacy.