Greek Influence On Western Civilization

From the pyramids and scorching deserts of ancient Egypt, to the Parthenon of ancient Greece, and to the Colosseum of ancient Rome, these cultures laid the foundation of what western civilization and thought would become today. To this day, there are multiple religions, multiple political systems, different government systems, and traditional ways of living that all had to originate from somewhere. Since researching and exploring more about these ancient cultures of Greece, Rome, and Egypt, it was a colossal stepping stone to my understanding of where Western thoughts have originated and transformed from. The intellectual abilities of the ancient Egyptian with architecture and literature, the democratic system of the Greek, and the republic …show more content…
Throughout the ancient cultures that were presented and explored, there wasn’t monotheism being practiced. The ancient Egyptians believed in multiple gods and goddesses such as Ra the Sun God, Nut the Goddess of the sky and stars, Ptah God of creation, and much more. The ancient Greek also practiced polytheism in which they believed in Gods for all aspects of life such as Zeus the king God, Athena the Goddess of war and wisdom, and Poseidon the God of the sea and horses. The Greek would then influence the ancient Romans to worship a Pantheon of 6 Gods, and 6 Goddesses. However, the practice of polytheism would change after 312 CE when Constantine defeated Maxentius at Milvian Bridge and became the emperor of the Eastern and Western empires of Rome. Constantine had a deep connection with Christianity in which he believed Jesus Christ was the reason for his victory in battle. He then created laws providing religious tolerance in which people could practice what religion they chose. However, the addition of Christianity to the Roman empire which was an origin of Western thought is today had spread throughout all of Europe During the Colonial Era. As Europe flourished with the belief of Christianity and began expanding, it would soon be adopted by others and then implanted into America. In addition, religions such as Islam and Judaism also believed in one …show more content…
These ancient cultures were the stepping stone for many of the religions, politics, arts, philosophies and social systems that are used today. The ancient Greeks are the reason why Democracy is here today and is implemented across a large range of countries. In addition, the influences of the Greek upon the Romans in have polytheistic views would create a scenario resulting in the spread of polytheism. However, once Constantine became emperor of the Roman empire and proposed Christianity, his time as a ruler would begin the foundation of monotheism across the west, especially America. Without the ancient cultures of Egypt, Rome, and Greece, the beginnings of Democracy and Monotheism might not have flourished and made what Western thought is