Greek Language, History, Religion, Architecture, Clothes, Education and More
The Greek language evolved in four different phases: Ancient Greek, Hellenistic Greek, Byzantine Greek, and Modern Greek. Ancient Greek (1400-400 BC) introduced letters and vowels. Hellenistic Greek was from 400 BC- 400 AD and was a widely spread language thanks to Alexander the Great. Byzantine Greek (500-1500 AD) is the official language of the Byzantine Empire. Last but not least, Modern Greek is the language spoken and written today in Greece.
Greek religion is polytheism (the belief in many gods and goddesses) and indeed, there were many. Oranos was the First One, the first ruler of the gods, but was killed by his son Cronos, who gave his name to time, and who in turn was also killed by his son, Zeus. Cronos’s children are now the main gods and goddesses. Their children are widespread and many, but quite a few live at Mount Olympus, where only gods live. If you read Greek mythology, you will probably also see the adventures of these gods too, which shows how much the gods tied into the Greek culture.
Greek architecture had many styles, which are best determined by their column capitals. There are many types of capitals: the Doric, which is plain and simple; the Ionic, which is classic Greek; and the Corinthian, which was exquisitely elaborate. Doric temples had sturdy columns, which were very practical. Ionic temples tended to have more columns, of a different form. Corinthian temples had slenderized columns which meant they were like the Ionic columns, only more intricate.
The Essay on Did the Ancient Greek Gods Exist
The Ancient Greeks regarded their religion and mythology with much respect and loyalty. Although the Ancient Greek Gods are now seen as an explanation created by man, for natural forces and the world around us, there has been much evidence both for and against the debate that these Gods were real. The Greeks believed that the Earth was created with the birth of Gaia, or Mother Earth, from the dark ...
Grecian history is colorful and interesting. At Knossos, the earliest texts were found and are estimated to have been written in 1375 BC. In 1185, the Trojan War began, which was documented in Homer’s Iliad. Then, in 1100, Grecians began colonizing on the Ionian coast. However, something happened in 776 BC that made Greek culture so much more exciting. Although experts believe that the Olympic games had been going on for much longer, written records for the Olympic games dated 776 were found. However, in 393AD, Emperor Theodosius I forbid the games to continue due to religious reasons. Luckily, the Frenchman Baron Pierre de Coubertin revived the Games in 1896. currently, Greece’s political ruling is the Republic of Greece, so there is no single ruler.
Clothing in Greece was simple. Men wore tunics made out of linen or wool with sandals, and women usually wore one large piece of linen or wool that had to be wrapped and pinned and so on to make it stay. The dressed were always down to the ankles, as tradition dictated, and perhaps some jewelry and perfume were used by richer ladies.
In ancient Greece, girls could not go to school and get an education as they do now. Only boys could learn things like mathematics and reading. Girls were expected to stay at home to weave and cook. However, once in a while there would be a rebel that got schooling. These women could not publish anything publicly, or else risk punishment or worse. People now can still read these noble women’s work, since they were hidden and manuscripts signed “Anonymous.”
·http://www.usfca.edu/westciv/Greekchron.html
·GREECE ATHENS AND THE MAINLAND. By Marc Dubin. Published 2003.
