Ancient Greece

Throughout the development of the world, the idea of nudity presents a complex history and disputing views. The current society shies away from the idea of nakedness, but the Ancient Greeks sculpted naked statues with no shame. The topic of nude statues creates an environment of power from the artist’s decision of sculpting. Even the famous poet, Homer, recognizes the purpose and idea of nudity in The Odyssey. In Homer’s poem, The Odyssey, a naked Odysseus wanders around the river’s bank in Scheria, and he approaches the daughter of Alcinous, Nausicaa. At this time, Nausicaa’s servants and handmaidens flee from Odysseus’s sight, but “Only/ Alcinous’s daughter stood her ground” (VI.149-150). The quote indicates Nausicaa feels aware of the…

No discussion of Greek history would be complete without mention of the art of ancient Greece. Its classical Greek art and architecture has left its mark throughout the ages and across the world. Greek art is categorized under three headings; the archaic period, the Classical period, and the Hellenistic period. Some experts would also add a fourth heading: the geometric period, which preceded the archaic style. It is beneficial to understand how classical Greek style evolved and exactly what…

Ancient Greece was, perhaps, one of the most greatest and influential civilization that has ever existed. Greek culture has significantly contributed to the world, more specifically Western civilization, through politics, arts, and education, all which are still used and admired til this day. The Ancient Greeks are considered as being the first country to adopt a democratic government system, a system that the West has too adopted (with a few changes). In addition, the Greeks were highly skilled…

Monarchy: In ancient Greece, hereditary monarchy was rare. Where a polis had a king, they were usually what we would call a ‘constitutional’ monarchy. That is, some assembly shared the power with the king. Sparta was notable in that they had 2 kings. In this way, 1 king could lead the Spartan army off to war, while the other remained at home keeping the state functioning. When not at war, a bureaucracy consisting of ephors, gerousia, and the citizen assembly check the kings from getting out…

The Athenian historian, political philosopher and general Thucydides said ones, “The greatest glory [for women] is to be least talked about among men, whether in praise or blame”. Most of the sources that survived from the Ancient Greece are written for men for men. According to the historian and novelist Helena P. Schrader, this is because, " There are surviving evidence about work of art featuring women, but just a few of information about their accomplishments and contributes to the Greek…

Hestia represented the hearth, familiarity, and comfort. Hestia is the chief of all goddesses (“The Gods of Greece” 168). According to Plato, Hestia means 'the essence of things' (“The Gods of Greece” 168). Hestia is the goddess of the hearth. She receives the best in offerings (“The Gods of Greece” 168). Hestia is the least personal goddess and the most anonymous. She gave her throne on Olympus up for Dionysus. (“The Gods of Greece” 168) The Ancient Greeks believed that “Hestia's fire, her…

Abstract The purpose of this paper is to address the differences and similarities between forms of government. More specifically, we will compare monarchy, aristocracy, tyranny, oligarchy, and democracy and talk about how they apply to Ancient Greece. These forms of government can be found in different countries all over the world and have existed for centuries. Like many other things, they have gone through many changes since their beginnings, and variations and even combinations of them have…

were a small army but are considered one of the most famous ancient armies, whereas Argos army is almost double the size and they are rarely ever talked about. Another example to prove this point is the Spartans at the battle of Thermopylae versus Xerxes and the Persians. Now one of the most famous battles in ancient Greek history, the Spartans picked 300 of their warriors to go to battle. Paul Cartledge writes in his book that there were two reasons why the number 300 was chosen rather than…

Ancient Greece was the very first democracy in history, and their beliefs in Freedom and Liberty for their citizens. The two types of freedoms were political (Governed by their own laws), and individual (do what we want). Freedom is the Central theme associated with democracy. After Greece’s downfall, democracy was not known again till the American Revolution. History is made by Great People. The Father of history was a man by the name Herodotus who wrote about the Persian wars. The early…

In the year 600 BCE to 600 CE a new civilization emerged. This new civilization was Ancient Greece which is present day Peloponnese Peninsula. Ancient Greece was made up of city-states, a sovereign state that consists of a city and its dependent territories. These city-states developed governments and organized their citizens according to a constitution, a set of laws. Around the fifth century BC Athens developed democracy, a system of government ruled by the population. Ancient Athens wasn't…