Greek Legacies The term legacy is depicted as something that is handed down or remains from previous generation or time. (Dictionary) The Greeks formed a new group of thoughts, which lead to the birth of democracy. Greek scientists such as Euclid, Pythagoras, and Archimedes made new discoveries that changed the course of mathematics. Architecture led to new possibilities. Using the definition of the term legacy, we find that ancient Greece had many legacies to offer such as: government structures, science and technology and architecture. Classical Greece had a lot of legacies to offer, one major legacy being government structures and the new concept of democracy.
On example of how government structures fits the term legacy is the city of Athens, which was considered to be a democracy. Athens had an assembly made out of free male citizens over eighteen.(notes) All citizens were allowed to attended public discussions to speak their opinion. Decisions were made from the majority vote. However, there was one flaw in the Athens state of democracy; it was not open to women, slaves or foreigners. However, Athens was in fact the start of democracy. Democracy changed the world; it strengthened classical Greece, and left a lasting impact. Democracy is now emplaced in many countries, which used the Greeks state of democracy as a basis for their own.
It also had a significant impact on the Greek people because for the first time people where more involved in political process and in making decisions and it forever changed the processes of their political system. It also gave them a sense of continuity, because they had emplaced a system where people felt pride in contributing to their homeland and the need of precipitation was passed down to their children who continue on helping the homeland to reach its fullest potential and it also gives us clues into what Athens was like. In 621 BCE the Athenian named Draco was first to create a legal code based on Hammurabis code of law. (Dickey, 1) The legal code examined issues of ownership and debt slavery. This legal code is the basis for all our laws, which exist today. The legal code is foundation for todays laws.
The Term Paper on City States Democracy Political Greek
Democracy: From Early Athenian To Present Day Politics. When following current events we can't help but witness politicians use terms such as "defending freedom", "liberty", or "democracy", but one is simply left wondering if the general public, or even the politicians themselves, know what those terms really mean or where they come from. The reality is that most don't. The ideals of living in a ...
Draco also elaborated on Hammurabis law of code which significantly improved the Greeks justice system. It gave them a sense of continuity for Draco is remembered today and to improve on Hammurabis code of law it gave them the sense that the laws would probably be improved on later down the road. Another legacy handed down by the Greeks was science and technology. A scientific theory made by Aristarchus of Samos created a stir in the scientific society. Aristarchus theory stated the earth along with the other planets orbited around the sun. His theory went against the common beliefs that the earth was still, in the center and that the planets and suns revolved around it. This allowed people to think out side the box and since the theory was discovered, all we had to do was find ways to prove his theory.
Another scientist named Eratosthenes found that the earth was 24,662 miles away, today through Eratosthenes calculations we found that he was only off by one percent. (Dickey, 1) His studies help expand our knowledge of the universe. The Mathematician Euclid wrote the many of the elements. One of the most famous Mathematicians of classical Greece was Archimedes who successfully calculated the value of Pi and proposed the law of lever, and created the system of pulleys to lift heavy objects. Phythagoras is known for is discovery of the geometric theorem, which is still used in classrooms today. The science and mathematics that was discovered in Greece remains to have an impact on todays mathematics, and sciences and they way we see or world. They expanded the knowledge of these areas which remains to be the basis of todays science and technology.
The Essay on Greek Language, History, Religion, Architecture, Clothes
Greek Language, History, Religion, Architecture, Clothes, Education and MoreThe 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 ...
The Greeks also got people to think outside the box and left behind traditional thoughts and allowed people to explore different ideas. So they impacted us my giving us the basis of or knowledge. It also impacted the Greek people for they showed people that it was ok to look at different possibilities and that they could stray from traditional beliefs. It also gave them a sense of continuity because discoveries impacted them greatly and theories that were left behind may not have been favored greatly, but their would have be someone to believe in the theories and maybe even develop them further. Another legacy passed down by the Greeks was architecture. They developed three styles of architecture: Doric Style, which is a simple design, its meant to be sturdy and was located around the areas of Southern Italy and Sicily. The second style was Ionic style which was thinner and more detailed, with a scroll design that ran down the columns.
The third style was the Corinthian which was more complex and would usually be decorated by acanthus leaves. Example of Doric Styled buildings include: the Parthenon, which housed the Greek goddess Athenia. The Ionic order was shown in the buildings: Erechtheum, which was built in 421BC (http://www.ancientgreece.com/html/art frame.htm) a temple in honor of Poseidon and Erechtheus, also the temple of Apollo at Didyma and the temple of Atena Nike. The Corinthian order was the least used of the Greek world; its style was featured in the Lysicrates and the temple of Zeus at Athens. Greek architecture fits the term legacy because it left a lasting effect, which was passed down through generations to generation today you can see Greek styled columns and buildings. It contributed to the Greek sense of continuity because it was the Greeks way of showing their strength, ingenuity and it also was used as temples to gods and since the buildings were permanent their gods and structure would last for a long time. Thirdly it had an impact on the Greek people, example Pericles in Athens was an important figure in Greek architecture because he per-swayed the public to build these major building projects out of their taxes.
The Essay on Compare and contrast Greek and Roman architecture
... two classical architectural styles have heavily influenced the way buildings are created in present time. Roman architecture was influenced by Ancient Greek architecture and it ... the Baths of Caracalla. Unlike Ancient Greece structures Romans constructed great architectural structures for the people. They created housing and public hygiene features ...
So, they had to believe in the project since the people would directly pay for these elaborate structures. The Greeks built these magnificent structures to show off their strengths and power. It also was a better way to honor the gods by making these beautiful large structures such as the Parthenon which houses the goddess Athenia. In conclusion Ancient Greece had many legacies to offer including government structures, science and technology and Architecture. All which left their mark in their time and in ours. The legacies impacted the classical Greek period and improved it, it gave use a basis for improving and it gave the Greeks a sense of continuity because they are remembered as being very creative in architecture, in developing the sciences and mathematics and in changing the political structures forever..
