Ancient Greece can be traced back to the Stone Age hunters (6000-2900 B.C.); however, Greek culture was much more notable from 1100-146 B.C., and likely had a more profound impact on Western civilization than any other culture. From 1100-750 B.C., a period known as the Dark Ages, Ancient Greece was immersed with wars and invasions and, over time, was divided into small, city states. During the Archaic Period (750-500 B.C.), art, the beginnings of democracy, and the knowledge and understanding of the written language started to re-emerge. The Greeks fought the Persians during the Classical Period (500-336 B.C.) and Athens reached its greatest political and cultural heights, including full development of a democratic plan of government (Document
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Three of the most famous Greek philosophers were Socrates, Pluto, and Aristotle. They believed that life existed to be examined and was not worth anything if it was not explored (Document 1). As an example, Socrates invented a process used to challenge and examine life problems, including justice and punishment. Today, that process, referred to as the scientific method, is studied and practiced extensively in Western civilizations. Pluto, a student of Socrates, believed that societies were like big families and that if one person needed help, then every member of that family should be there to help. This belief mirrored Pluto’s strong democratic ideals that are document in his book, the Republic. Finally, Aristotle believed that human reason was a godlike characteristic and that humans were superior to all others because of their ability to reason (Documents 2). These and other philosophical ideas opened dialogue as well as the doors to creative thinking that can be reflected in the architecture and art that emerged as a result at the …show more content…
Greek architecture is famous for its temples, the most celebrated of which is the Parthenon. Parthenon was built to honor Athena, the goddess of wisdom (Document 7). It contained large columns on the outside and a statute of Athena on the inside. The Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., was built with the same types of columns and a statue to honor the 16th President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln. In addition, Greek art and sculptures projected realism and grace. For example, Myron created a famous marble sculpture of The Discus Thrower at an Olympic event (Document 8). Greek artists increasingly applied mathematical ratios to attain aesthetic beauty, movement, and emotion that remain unparalleled today, and Greek mathematicians had other significant roles as
Three of the most famous Greek philosophers were Socrates, Pluto, and Aristotle. They believed that life existed to be examined and was not worth anything if it was not explored (Document 1). As an example, Socrates invented a process used to challenge and examine life problems, including justice and punishment. Today, that process, referred to as the scientific method, is studied and practiced extensively in Western civilizations. Pluto, a student of Socrates, believed that societies were like big families and that if one person needed help, then every member of that family should be there to help. This belief mirrored Pluto’s strong democratic ideals that are document in his book, the Republic. Finally, Aristotle believed that human reason was a godlike characteristic and that humans were superior to all others because of their ability to reason (Documents 2). These and other philosophical ideas opened dialogue as well as the doors to creative thinking that can be reflected in the architecture and art that emerged as a result at the …show more content…
Greek architecture is famous for its temples, the most celebrated of which is the Parthenon. Parthenon was built to honor Athena, the goddess of wisdom (Document 7). It contained large columns on the outside and a statute of Athena on the inside. The Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., was built with the same types of columns and a statue to honor the 16th President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln. In addition, Greek art and sculptures projected realism and grace. For example, Myron created a famous marble sculpture of The Discus Thrower at an Olympic event (Document 8). Greek artists increasingly applied mathematical ratios to attain aesthetic beauty, movement, and emotion that remain unparalleled today, and Greek mathematicians had other significant roles as