What Role Did Religion Play In Ancient Greek Society
Ever wonder how was Ancient Societies used to be like? What start of the adultery? What did the Neolithic period and bronze age do from history? Why do people believe what they believe in today’s world? Why people act the way they do? Learning the Ancient history helps us understand how Religion, Education, Government impacted the society back in the Early days and how the aftercome affects us now. In Greece, Religion symbolized as the central role of individual. People worshipped gods for as they believe that all the goods they receive in life came from them. In this essay, I am going to talk about women’s role, Influence of religion of the Athens and Egyptians, the education and Democracy
Around the Neolithic period, the Mesotopamia region was known as the Greek’s rivers to life. During this period, Agriculture was used for living. Making weapons made by smelting metals were developed that led to the Bronze Age period. In this period, individuals dug a …show more content…
passageway as the rain comes into uncertainty and people use this to conserve water. However, during the Age of Pericles around 600 B.C.E., Athenians faced economic crisis. There were lack of produce and many who fell into debt was taken to slavery due to the matter that they could not pay. Due to this crisis, Solon made a move to try to put things back to normal. “Solon first addressed the alarming debt crisis by introducing refroms---called the Shaking Off of Burdens – that canceled existing debts and banned debt slavery altogether.” (Page. 55). Due to this Agriculture crisis produce, most of their food had to be imported. In regards of the Ancient Egypt society, their agriculuture were mostly wheat and barley taken care by their farmers, this was their foundation of economy. Egypt was controlled by Pharoahs who held power and provided stable living circumstances. “Whenever they had excess income, the kings proved their greatness by building pyramids, monuments to their glory that in some cases survive today.” (Chapter. 1). Under the Pharaoh power, the Egypt lived peacefully and faced no threats. And to represents Egypts power, they built pyramids to also symbolize long life. “ The Old Kingdom rulers made the pyramids the great symbol of Egyptian power and longetivity.” (Chapter.1).
During the social stratification in Ancient Greek times, slavery was considered normal for their daily lives, it was not a racial problem.
Slaves were treated as if they were part of the family but could only use names that are assigned by whoever owned them. Anyone could actually enslave themselves or sell their children for money saving and paying off their debts. In Athens, slaves did not have a good life and viewed as servants. In the textbook they were described, “ In Athens, some slaves who tried to flee their condition bore the brand of a runaway on their foreheads. Slaves who lived under the worst conditions were those who had the misfortune to work in the silver mines, and essential source of income for Athens. For the most part, however, slavery was treated as a simple fact of life—and essential tool for getting necessary work done. “ (Page. 54). Also Athen slaves were not given adequate amount of food, just enough to give them energy. To keep them working, they abused and maltreated
them.
Athenian women during the classical period were more restrticted. Women were left out of society, they were banned from getting education. As stated on the Penn Musuem website, “ Marriend women, on the other hand, were not allowed to participate in the athletic contests of the Hera festival, and were barred on penalty of death from the Sanctuary of Zeus on the days of the atheletic competition for boys and men.” Expectation from women’s role was to get married and have children so they can continue their family’s legacy. Around teenage years of children, parents arranged marriages for their kids for good exchanges or dowry. Adultery was a crime and punished by death. If a woman wishes to divorce, she could keep here dowry but can lose property if she fails to care for her man, children and home. The wives fortune was controlled by the husband for as the man can sell his wife to slavery for paying off his debts. However, the wife could also face death if she enters a property alone that sells alcoholic drinks. Both husband and wife could ask for divorce. Upon divorce, the husband had to return the women’s property to continue her life.
When it comes to religion, Ancient Egyptians worshipped gods and believed that all their blessings came from them. “They believe they were blessed by the gods, who brought such a regular and fertile flooding of the Nile, not cursed by their chaotic whims.” (Pg. 15). Ma’at was a ruler that Egyptians believed brought truth and justice to them. “ While Mesopotamians believed their kings served as priests to their gods, Egyptians believed their rulers were gods, who had come to earth to bring truth, justice, and order--- all summarized in the word ma’at.” (Page, 15). Also, a writing system developed during this time. Ancient Egyptians learned how to forward a message and power through sacred writing engraved on the temples and called as Hieroglyph. Athenians believed in god in the forms of human. For example, they built the Parthenon to represent their religious connection to their gods, represents their wealth and growth. The Parthenon was built on top of the hill because they believe that it is close to the level of their gods. The Parthenon also symbolized as the greatest temple because of its architectural perfect position. How they built, the reason why the Greeks built the Parthenon is to represent that their artwork is to the highest level. It was also stated on the lecture website The secrets of the Parthenon , “The Greeks explored the highest potential of humanity in their artwork." Ancient people also believed in life after death. Ancient Egyptians also believed to Pharoah. They treat pharaoh as one of their gods because they believe that everything they have was given by him. Accortding to Eugene Weber from his Video called The Ancient Egyptians, “ If pharaoh was a god, he was also the state. He owned everything his people owned—and he vene owned the people themselves. All officials acted in his name; all held their offices subject to his divine pleasure; law was not codified, it was based on custom, and it was held to be simple the king’s word.”
Pericles of Athens had an excellenece impact toward the democracy world. Pericles was powerful statesman on the Pericle’s democracy. He was a very influential person that helped Athens grow power in democracy. He helped the poor to be involved in social programs and laws. “ Pericles forwarded democracy within Athens by trying to ensure that even poor citizens could participate fully in Arthenian politics and culture.” (Page. 62). Not only he helped the poor but also built and created projects that were designed to improve the public. “ He organized armies of talented artiss and artisans and paid thousands of workers to participate in the project. Finally, he put about 20,000 Athenians on the municipal payroll, a move that stimulated widespread involvement in the democratic proceedings of the city.” (Page. 62). Pericles believed that all Athenians should get better education in art, music, and philosophy. In Education wise, he passed a law where even poor Athens can attend theatrical plays because he thought that theatrical plays were important. Under pericles, the Anthens developed amazing temples like the Parthenon that provide obvious perfection of art because of the architectural styles that were used. Despite the success in democracy Pericles had, he still had to face challenges. In Athens the ideal family consisted a woman who is responsible for home chores, a child who is expected to obey parents and a man who serves the city. This ideal family situation is something that Pericles did not have. His son caused scandals and got everyone involved. There came a point where his allowance was no longer enough so the son asked a friend of his dad to loan money. Later that man approached Pericles but instead of being repaid, Pericles refused and brought the issue to the court. “ Father and son were never reconciled, for in 429 plague hit the city. Xanthiphus and Paralus both succumbed to the disease. Plutarch claimed Pericles did not weep for the elder son, only crying when Paralus died.” (Page. 68). Although Pericles lost the Peloponnesian war, he was still known as the man who that helped Athens gain power.
The goal of education in Athens was to educate children arts of peace and war. Children at young ages were taught basic morals. Whereas in Ancient Greek, education was more of a militant where the purpose was to prepare children of the expectation of becoming a citizen. Young boys start physical training to have a strong system that prepares them to have a good health and for war. For ancient Egyptian, most of their educations were guided by their parents. Boys were taught family trade where the girls were taught the household responsibilities like cooking, sewing. For Ancient Egypt, education was beneficial for the ones who were lucky or rich. In conclusion, I talked about women’s role, Influence of religion of the Athens and Egyptians, the education and Democracy. Most of the Greece civilization survived and are applied in the modern world.Although the Periclean Athens and Ancient Egypt had few differences. First, they have in common is their religious belief. Both worshipped god and believed in life after death. Another similartiy is women were responsible for the daily flow of the family such as caring for children, their husbands and the household chores.
Around the Neolithic period, the Mesotopamia region was known as the Greek’s rivers to life. During this period, Agriculture was used for living. Making weapons made by smelting metals were developed that led to the Bronze Age period. In this period, individuals dug a …show more content…
passageway as the rain comes into uncertainty and people use this to conserve water. However, during the Age of Pericles around 600 B.C.E., Athenians faced economic crisis. There were lack of produce and many who fell into debt was taken to slavery due to the matter that they could not pay. Due to this crisis, Solon made a move to try to put things back to normal. “Solon first addressed the alarming debt crisis by introducing refroms---called the Shaking Off of Burdens – that canceled existing debts and banned debt slavery altogether.” (Page. 55). Due to this Agriculture crisis produce, most of their food had to be imported. In regards of the Ancient Egypt society, their agriculuture were mostly wheat and barley taken care by their farmers, this was their foundation of economy. Egypt was controlled by Pharoahs who held power and provided stable living circumstances. “Whenever they had excess income, the kings proved their greatness by building pyramids, monuments to their glory that in some cases survive today.” (Chapter. 1). Under the Pharaoh power, the Egypt lived peacefully and faced no threats. And to represents Egypts power, they built pyramids to also symbolize long life. “ The Old Kingdom rulers made the pyramids the great symbol of Egyptian power and longetivity.” (Chapter.1).
During the social stratification in Ancient Greek times, slavery was considered normal for their daily lives, it was not a racial problem.
Slaves were treated as if they were part of the family but could only use names that are assigned by whoever owned them. Anyone could actually enslave themselves or sell their children for money saving and paying off their debts. In Athens, slaves did not have a good life and viewed as servants. In the textbook they were described, “ In Athens, some slaves who tried to flee their condition bore the brand of a runaway on their foreheads. Slaves who lived under the worst conditions were those who had the misfortune to work in the silver mines, and essential source of income for Athens. For the most part, however, slavery was treated as a simple fact of life—and essential tool for getting necessary work done. “ (Page. 54). Also Athen slaves were not given adequate amount of food, just enough to give them energy. To keep them working, they abused and maltreated
them.
Athenian women during the classical period were more restrticted. Women were left out of society, they were banned from getting education. As stated on the Penn Musuem website, “ Marriend women, on the other hand, were not allowed to participate in the athletic contests of the Hera festival, and were barred on penalty of death from the Sanctuary of Zeus on the days of the atheletic competition for boys and men.” Expectation from women’s role was to get married and have children so they can continue their family’s legacy. Around teenage years of children, parents arranged marriages for their kids for good exchanges or dowry. Adultery was a crime and punished by death. If a woman wishes to divorce, she could keep here dowry but can lose property if she fails to care for her man, children and home. The wives fortune was controlled by the husband for as the man can sell his wife to slavery for paying off his debts. However, the wife could also face death if she enters a property alone that sells alcoholic drinks. Both husband and wife could ask for divorce. Upon divorce, the husband had to return the women’s property to continue her life.
When it comes to religion, Ancient Egyptians worshipped gods and believed that all their blessings came from them. “They believe they were blessed by the gods, who brought such a regular and fertile flooding of the Nile, not cursed by their chaotic whims.” (Pg. 15). Ma’at was a ruler that Egyptians believed brought truth and justice to them. “ While Mesopotamians believed their kings served as priests to their gods, Egyptians believed their rulers were gods, who had come to earth to bring truth, justice, and order--- all summarized in the word ma’at.” (Page, 15). Also, a writing system developed during this time. Ancient Egyptians learned how to forward a message and power through sacred writing engraved on the temples and called as Hieroglyph. Athenians believed in god in the forms of human. For example, they built the Parthenon to represent their religious connection to their gods, represents their wealth and growth. The Parthenon was built on top of the hill because they believe that it is close to the level of their gods. The Parthenon also symbolized as the greatest temple because of its architectural perfect position. How they built, the reason why the Greeks built the Parthenon is to represent that their artwork is to the highest level. It was also stated on the lecture website The secrets of the Parthenon , “The Greeks explored the highest potential of humanity in their artwork." Ancient people also believed in life after death. Ancient Egyptians also believed to Pharoah. They treat pharaoh as one of their gods because they believe that everything they have was given by him. Accortding to Eugene Weber from his Video called The Ancient Egyptians, “ If pharaoh was a god, he was also the state. He owned everything his people owned—and he vene owned the people themselves. All officials acted in his name; all held their offices subject to his divine pleasure; law was not codified, it was based on custom, and it was held to be simple the king’s word.”
Pericles of Athens had an excellenece impact toward the democracy world. Pericles was powerful statesman on the Pericle’s democracy. He was a very influential person that helped Athens grow power in democracy. He helped the poor to be involved in social programs and laws. “ Pericles forwarded democracy within Athens by trying to ensure that even poor citizens could participate fully in Arthenian politics and culture.” (Page. 62). Not only he helped the poor but also built and created projects that were designed to improve the public. “ He organized armies of talented artiss and artisans and paid thousands of workers to participate in the project. Finally, he put about 20,000 Athenians on the municipal payroll, a move that stimulated widespread involvement in the democratic proceedings of the city.” (Page. 62). Pericles believed that all Athenians should get better education in art, music, and philosophy. In Education wise, he passed a law where even poor Athens can attend theatrical plays because he thought that theatrical plays were important. Under pericles, the Anthens developed amazing temples like the Parthenon that provide obvious perfection of art because of the architectural styles that were used. Despite the success in democracy Pericles had, he still had to face challenges. In Athens the ideal family consisted a woman who is responsible for home chores, a child who is expected to obey parents and a man who serves the city. This ideal family situation is something that Pericles did not have. His son caused scandals and got everyone involved. There came a point where his allowance was no longer enough so the son asked a friend of his dad to loan money. Later that man approached Pericles but instead of being repaid, Pericles refused and brought the issue to the court. “ Father and son were never reconciled, for in 429 plague hit the city. Xanthiphus and Paralus both succumbed to the disease. Plutarch claimed Pericles did not weep for the elder son, only crying when Paralus died.” (Page. 68). Although Pericles lost the Peloponnesian war, he was still known as the man who that helped Athens gain power.
The goal of education in Athens was to educate children arts of peace and war. Children at young ages were taught basic morals. Whereas in Ancient Greek, education was more of a militant where the purpose was to prepare children of the expectation of becoming a citizen. Young boys start physical training to have a strong system that prepares them to have a good health and for war. For ancient Egyptian, most of their educations were guided by their parents. Boys were taught family trade where the girls were taught the household responsibilities like cooking, sewing. For Ancient Egypt, education was beneficial for the ones who were lucky or rich. In conclusion, I talked about women’s role, Influence of religion of the Athens and Egyptians, the education and Democracy. Most of the Greece civilization survived and are applied in the modern world.Although the Periclean Athens and Ancient Egypt had few differences. First, they have in common is their religious belief. Both worshipped god and believed in life after death. Another similartiy is women were responsible for the daily flow of the family such as caring for children, their husbands and the household chores.