Greek Influence on the Roman Empire Essay

6. Greek and Roman cultures had an impact on modern day american and European culture. They passed on architecture and literature. They also passed down law and christianity.

Two of the greatest civilizations of the ancient world were the civilizations of Greece and Rome. These two civilizations were especially significant from the time periods prior to the Roman Republic. These two civilizations both affected Europe and the Mediterranean regions including the rest of the world around them. Though the two civilizations differed in location, they also had many aspects that were very similar. One of these includes the government, with both showing the beginnings of the representative government. Another aspect between these civilizations was the military with similar strategies, tactics, and organizational similarities.

When talking about the culture in ancient Greece and Rome we are talking about two cultures that have had a major impact on today’s society. We are also talking about two cultures that have highly similar ways of life and or beliefs. One thing that both cultures had in common was that they believed in all the same gods. Although they did have different names for some gods, they all believed in what each god stood for and the myths that they had. For example, the Greek’s called one god Zeus while the Romans called him Jupiter. Another similarity between Greece and Rome was that they both practiced agriculture. Not only did both nations both practice agriculture but they even grew some of the same crops. A few example of crops that both the Romans and Greeks grew are barley, grapes, olives, wheat and so much more. Agriculture in Rome and Greece was essential to anybody was able to grow them. For

Western Europe. But how did this western way of life come to be? Their are many different

The Greek economy was based off of agriculture. They were also colonized to somewhat like the states we have in America. Their main crops and trade products were grapes, olives, and wine. The Greek commerce and trade by sea is what made all of the Greek city-states as wealthy and important as they were. The Greeks were often called “The Masters of the Mediterranean” because of their skillful seafaring.

     The ancient Greek and Roman civilizations of Europe began to progress toward a more civilized order of society. As there were no previous establishment to base their ideals on, it was understandable that there were some difficulties in their progression as a society. Although the ancient Greek and Roman governments fell, both had similar paths of creation, conquest, and destruction.

Places outside of the Greek Empire that Greek culture influenced were the greeks, jews, egyptians, persians, and babylonians.

Greek and Roman culture, although similar, are very different and interesting. Since the Romans adopted culture from the Greeks, many traditions are the same. When the Romans conquered the Hellenistic cities, they became fascinated with the idea of a Greek style of doing things. All things Greek were now considered popular. This is how much of the Greek way of life made its way into the Roman society.

While both Roman and Greek cultures greatly influenced Western Civilization, Greeks contributed more to the western world than the Romans. The Greeks used their own ideas and thought of new ways to add to their culture, while the Romans mostly mixed and matched ideas from other civilizations and cultures to make their own. The Romans took up the inheritance of the Greeks adapted it to their own language and national traditions. (Grant 2)The Greeks introduced many new ideas and traditions, the most important being democracy - Athenian democracy in particular.

Many Macedonians married oriental women causing the fusion of the cultures. Rome slowly gained Greek culture as its own such as alphabet, art, and literature (Hackney). New empires emerged mixed Greek like culture with their culture to create powerful ancient civilizations. Greek-influenced cultures spread from the Mediterranean to Asia from Alexander’s empire (Clark). The many Greek-influenced cultures created a large spread of Greek culture, taking a stand, and affecting modern society globally to this day.

The ancient Greeks once practiced beliefs and traditions that led to the development of advanced civilizations. The Roman Republic was significantly impacted and influenced by the Ancient greeks, which would later lead to contributing to the development of the Byzantine Empire. The Byzantines would help influence Europe during the Middle Ages, and Europe’s ideas and practices would lead to helping and impacting the modern western civilization with their ideas and beliefs. The Greeks showed influence by believing the people should expand their knowledge to their best ability, they had the idea of human perfection, and created a democratic government for the people, and the Romans developed off of the Greeks by practicing a Republican government and by providing public services and new inventions that would advance the people's way of life such as irrigation, sanitation, aqueducts, and more. Ideas through the Greeks and the Romans would later be passed on to the Byzantines who were greatly influenced, The Byzantines would also eventually split the Christian church. All of the ideas from the ancient Greeks, Romans, the Byzantines, and the middle ages would eventually lead to the end of the feudal system. Traditions that the modern world still practices today were greatly impacted by historic civilizations.

Morey mentions Greek influence in Roman literature occurring after the second Punic war in 241 BCE (1901).

After the death of Philip II, his son, Alexander the Great, became ruler of Macedonia. Alexander ruled for thirteen years until his death at 33 years old (Parker 312). Unlike most military leaders, he did not destroy the cities that he conquered. He believed that the barbarians also contributed to society. During his reign, Alexander greatly expanded his empire from Greece to Egypt and also to India (310). In addition to acquiring land, the expansion spread Greek philosophy and culture; although Alexander was certainly not the first Hellenistic leader. Approximately three centuries after Alexander’s death, the Romans invaded and conquered the final territories formerly governed by Alexander the Great. Many factors such as geography contributed to the successful invasion of Greece by the Romans; however, the lack of unity within Greece was the primary contributing factor.

Many often lump Greek and Roman culture into one movement. The Greeks were an influence on the Roman Empire in everything from their art, architecture, and mathematics to their political structure. Though they are separated by over 500 years, the building of the Parthenon and Pantheon were each hugely significant architectural strides for each culture. Each has their similarities, as well as differences. On a whole, they set the way for the architects of the future with their vision.

Greek civilization had a strong influence on the Roman Empire, Greek and Roman structural planning have long been associated on account of the similitudes between the sanctuaries and option structures that two evolutions made. Roman structural planning was frequently influenced affected by Greece however the Romans also separated to make a different personality, they look so much similar. Then again, that does not mean there is no distinction at all between the 2 styles. The basic clarification for such a great deal of normal appearance is this. Greek draftsmen with its human progress started to exist before Roman development.