The Accomplishments of the Greeks

THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF THE GREEKS The ancient Greeks had many accomplishments including philosophical beliefs, intellectual ideas and artistic developments. They used many forms of expression to express their philosophical, intellectual, and artistic achievements. These forms essentially made up their culture and defined their lifestyle. In document 1, the philosophy of Socrates stated that humans should analyze their lives. This is an accomplishment because it shows that Greek philosophy was the beginning of modern ideas. As stated in document 2, Aristotle believed that human reason is important in order to have a good life. Aristotle’s rational thought was an accomplishment because it questioned aspects of Greek society. This document was created at this time because it shows the teachings and beliefs of Aristotle that were conveyed to the people. As seen in document 3, the government in Greece around 430 B.C.E., was set up similar to a republic. Document 3 describes the democratic form of government that was used to rule Greece. One of the reasons Greece was so successful was the system of government in place favored fairness and equal opportunity. Pericles was the greatest Athenian democratic ruler. This proved to be an intellectual achievement because it shows that the rulers of Greece at this time were able to form a system of government that was able to effectively rule the people. As seen in document 4, the Greeks had doctors and people specialized in the medical field. This is an intellectual accomplishment of the Greeks because it shows that they had job specialization within the culture. Job specialization is only possible in thriving societies, thus proving Greek was a prosperous civilization. Document 5, describes a geometrical theorem that is still used in mathematics today. This is an intellectual accomplishment because it was written around 300 B.C.E., and still remains true today. In document 6, an excerpt from the play Antigone, common Greek beliefs are conveyed through the characters. As shown in document 7, the Parthenon is an example of Greek architecture, wealth, and religious beliefs. The culture and values of Greece at that time, is displayed through the art that was created. Sculptures, such as the one in Document 8 show the importance of athleticism and the Olympic Games in Greek society. Art was a way for the Greek to express their thinking and way of life in a creative format. An additional document that would be helpful in understanding the accomplishments of the Greeks, would a map of the trade routes throughout the Mediterranean and Black sea. This would show how the Greek culture was able to be spread throughout the Mediterranean Basin. It would also show how the Greeks were able to gain wealth and how it affected their culture.