How Did Greek Culture Change Over Time

Heroes Throughout history the idea of the hero has changed from the Greek tragic drama to the Stoicism of the Roman imperialism. But while there has been a significant shift in this change, there are still ideals which remain the same. Greek tragic dramas started off as religious ceremonies and were considered a way to honor the Gods and entertain man. They were more of competitions very similar to the Olympics in that it brought out the best in the playwrights. The competitions were to show the Gods that they, mere mortals, were the best that man had to offer.
The tragic hero in Greek dramas would have to be similar to the average person. Aristotle believed that art should imitate man. The tragic hero should not be spectacular in any
There would be a shift from evoking emotions in people through tragic dramas to accepting man’s fate. Where the tragic dramas brought forth misery for the tragic hero, where Stoicism allowed the citizen hero to be more in control of their outcome and helped men control their emotions. While the definition and ideals of the hero have changed throughout history they are still the men and women who go up and beyond what is considered average. Heroes have always done more than what is asked of them. They have taken on a burden of making the wrong right. They speak the truth and are persecuted for it. In ancient Greece Socrates met his fate in that fashion, the Roman Christians that were fed to the lions and even today men like Nelson Mandela face persecution all for standing up for what they believed in.
The heroic ideal has always been the pursuit of honor through action. The hero will take every risk to use his gifts and talents to show that he is the best and stands above all others. He will exceed the everyday man’s threshold for pain and suffering. This has always been the common denominator throughout history. We have glorified these heroes of ancient time through tragic drama and now we give worldwide recognition and add them to our history