Dbq: Ancient Greek Contributions

DBQ: ANCIENT GREEK CONTRIBUTIONS

The Ancient Greek contribution ranged by the 1900-133 BC, however its influence on the Western Literate Society lasts to this day. As the Greeks expanded their empire, they spread their ideas to other countries, while also borrowing from other cultures. During this period of time, the Greeks made many significant and long-lasting contribution to our modern culture in Philosophy, Art, Democracy, Drama, Math, and Science. These givings of important ideas, inventions, and structures have had an extraordinary influence on the surrounding environment, society, and in the future. The essential contribution of Greeks to the Western Civilization are Democracy, Art, and Philosophy.

One important contribution of Ancient Greek to the Western Culture is Democracy. The very term itself is of Greek derivation, meaning “People’s Rule”. Unlike modern states which call themselves “Democratic”. For example, Pericles Funeral Oration gave the greatest contribution to our today’s society. In .(Doc. 2) Pericles stated “Our plan of government favors the many instead of the few”. Because of this quote it has contributed the society tremendously due to the fact that the democratic society is a direct democracy. Yet in a way, people have the power to overthrow other powerful representatives; Pericles Funeral Oration, gave us the idea of keeping the civilization as a democracy rather than Oligarchy, Monarchy, and many more. Moreover, Solon an Athenian tyrant discussed his thought about democracy. In .(doc. 4) Solon stated, “I drew up laws for bad and good alike, and set straight justice over each”. Solon reveals that he has created laws for the good of others. He wanted every individual having the same amount of justice. His quote contributed towards today’s civilization due to the fact that people are able to make “The Ten Commandments” showing that each and every individuals in the society deserves the same quality of Freedom and Justice as any other person. Furthermore in.(doc. 6) Aristotle quote stated “ Since human reason is the most godlike part of human nature, a life guided by human reason is superior to any other…”, it reveals that everyday alliance is civilized due to the characteristics therefore, without characteristics citizens are not able to take control and have the power than any other citizens which shows that in today’s association our Democracy has plenty of nations with many different characteristics in them. In addition, Cleisthenes as aristocrat to took power of Athens, he started The Council of 500. The Council of 500 had a big role in today’s institution; which is the legislation were everybody in the council would vote on laws to be made openly, which in this case turned into a direct democracy. Therefore, Cleisthenes and The Council of 500 contributed direct democracy that happens today in the comradeship. A big way that Ancient Greek contributed to Western Literate Society

was by starting and spreading democracy. The contribution to Western Community form Ancient Greek is not only because of Democracy, but also because of Art.

Another contribution of Ancient Greeks to Western Modern Man is Art. For instance in .(doc.5) Myron created “The Discuss Thrower”. Myron’s sculpture of The Discuss Thrower was showing that men should be physically fit and he also used very detailed lines to show how strong and fit the men in Greece are. This sculpture donated to the Art and sculpting to be more perfected and be more familiar with a 3D-dimensional perspective. Another great art that was unrewarded into today’s community are the Greek columns. There are different type of the Greeks columns: Doric, Ionic, Corinthian. Doric is the plain one. Ionic is a simple column with a curve in the side. And Corinthian is the most fancy among the columns because of the designed leaves. Greek columns influenced the society today with the great architecture. For example, The White House they used the Greek columns. Furthermore, “Antigone”, a play created by Sophocle in .(doc.3) Sophocle explains the art and the theatre drama. This influenced the organization to have many and plenty of writers to write omniscient and wonderful drama plays and the theatre’s today. It also give humans to used it in T.V. shows and movies that we have right now. Moreover, in .(doc. 10) The Parthenon is one of the most famous building in Athens. It was used to honor the Goddess of Athena. It was built at the command of Pericle. The building structure of The Parthenon has expanded architects aspect of designing buildings in the comradeship today. Thus, The Parthenon has to be approached with many thoughts and ideas, it inspire humans today to use the same techniques as the Greeks used for their famous