The **Greek civilization**
Page Info
Writer AndyKim
Hit 330 Hits
Date 25-01-18 00:02
Content
The **Greek civilization**, one of the most influential in human history, spanned thousands of years and laid the foundation for many aspects of modern Western culture, including politics, philosophy, art, science, and literature. Here's a detailed overview:
---
### **Historical Periods of Greek Civilization**
1. **The Minoan Civilization (ca. 3000–1450 BCE)**:
- Centered on the island of **Crete**, the Minoans were known for their advanced architecture, trade networks, and art, including frescoes and pottery.
- The **Palace of Knossos** is a prominent archaeological site, showcasing the complexity of Minoan society.
- The civilization likely declined due to natural disasters (such as the eruption of Thera) and invasions.
2. **The Mycenaean Civilization (ca. 1600–1100 BCE)**:
- The Mycenaeans were the first Greek-speaking people, known for their fortified cities, including **Mycenae** and **Pylos**.
- Their society was heavily influenced by warfare, and they are associated with the **Trojan War**, famously described in Homer’s epics, the **Iliad** and the **Odyssey**.
- The Mycenaean civilization collapsed around 1100 BCE, leading to the **Greek Dark Ages**.
3. **The Greek Dark Ages (ca. 1100–800 BCE)**:
- A period marked by economic and cultural decline.
- Writing (Linear B script) was lost during this time, but oral traditions, such as the Homeric epics, kept Greek culture alive.
4. **The Archaic Period (ca. 800–500 BCE)**:
- The reintroduction of writing using the **Greek alphabet** and the emergence of city-states (**poleis**) like Athens and Sparta.
- Early forms of government, such as oligarchies and tyrannies, began to take shape.
- The period also saw the development of Greek art, including vase painting and sculpture, and the foundation of colonization across the Mediterranean.
5. **The Classical Period (ca. 500–323 BCE)**:
- Considered the golden age of Greek civilization, marked by the rise of **democracy** in Athens under leaders like **Pericles**.
- Major conflicts, such as the **Persian Wars** and the **Peloponnesian War**, shaped Greek history.
- This era produced iconic philosophers like **Socrates**, **Plato**, and **Aristotle**, as well as playwrights such as **Sophocles**, **Euripides**, and **Aeschylus**.
- Monumental architecture, such as the **Parthenon**, symbolized the height of Greek artistic achievement.
6. **The Hellenistic Period (323–31 BCE)**:
- Following the death of **Alexander the Great**, Greek culture spread throughout his vast empire, blending with Persian, Egyptian, and Indian influences.
- Hellenistic cities like **Alexandria** became centers of learning and innovation.
- Advances in science (Archimedes, Euclid), philosophy (Epicurus, Zeno), and art occurred during this time.
7. **Roman Conquest (146 BCE–31 BCE)**:
- Greece fell under Roman control, but Greek culture heavily influenced Roman art, philosophy, and religion.
- The legacy of Greek civilization persisted even after Greece became part of the Roman Empire.
---
### **Key Aspects of Greek Civilization**
1. **Politics and Governance**:
- **Democracy**: Athens pioneered the concept of democracy, where citizens could participate in decision-making.
- Other city-states, like Sparta, were governed by oligarchies or mixed systems that included kingship and councils.
2. **Philosophy**:
- Greek philosophers laid the groundwork for Western thought.
- **Socrates**: Known for his method of questioning to seek truth and morality.
- **Plato**: Wrote "The Republic," exploring justice and ideal governance.
- **Aristotle**: A polymath who influenced fields such as biology, ethics, and politics.
3. **Art and Architecture**:
- Sculpture: Greeks idealized the human form, striving for realism and proportion.
- Architecture: The **Doric**, **Ionic**, and **Corinthian** orders defined classical architecture, exemplified by temples like the Parthenon.
- Drama and Theater: The Greeks developed tragedy and comedy, performed in open-air amphitheaters.
4. **Religion and Mythology**:
- Polytheistic religion centered around gods like **Zeus**, **Athena**, and **Apollo**.
- Myths explained natural phenomena, human behavior, and cultural traditions.
- Religious festivals, such as the **Olympic Games**, honored the gods and united the Greek city-states.
5. **Science and Technology**:
- Greek scientists and mathematicians made groundbreaking contributions:
- **Pythagoras** in mathematics.
- **Hippocrates** in medicine.
- **Archimedes** in engineering.
6. **Literature**:
- Epic poems, such as Homer’s **Iliad** and **Odyssey**, became cornerstones of Western literature.
- Lyric poetry, as seen in the works of **Sappho**, expressed personal emotions and themes.
---
### **Legacy of Greek Civilization**
- The ideas and achievements of the Greeks have had a profound and enduring influence on Western culture, including concepts of democracy, philosophy, art, and science.
- The Renaissance, often considered a "rebirth" of classical ideas, was heavily inspired by Greek knowledge and achievements.
- Modern institutions, from democratic governments to Olympic sports, owe much to ancient Greek traditions.
Greek civilization remains a cornerstone in the history of humanity, embodying the pursuit of knowledge, beauty, and governance that continues to shape our world.
---
### **Historical Periods of Greek Civilization**
1. **The Minoan Civilization (ca. 3000–1450 BCE)**:
- Centered on the island of **Crete**, the Minoans were known for their advanced architecture, trade networks, and art, including frescoes and pottery.
- The **Palace of Knossos** is a prominent archaeological site, showcasing the complexity of Minoan society.
- The civilization likely declined due to natural disasters (such as the eruption of Thera) and invasions.
2. **The Mycenaean Civilization (ca. 1600–1100 BCE)**:
- The Mycenaeans were the first Greek-speaking people, known for their fortified cities, including **Mycenae** and **Pylos**.
- Their society was heavily influenced by warfare, and they are associated with the **Trojan War**, famously described in Homer’s epics, the **Iliad** and the **Odyssey**.
- The Mycenaean civilization collapsed around 1100 BCE, leading to the **Greek Dark Ages**.
3. **The Greek Dark Ages (ca. 1100–800 BCE)**:
- A period marked by economic and cultural decline.
- Writing (Linear B script) was lost during this time, but oral traditions, such as the Homeric epics, kept Greek culture alive.
4. **The Archaic Period (ca. 800–500 BCE)**:
- The reintroduction of writing using the **Greek alphabet** and the emergence of city-states (**poleis**) like Athens and Sparta.
- Early forms of government, such as oligarchies and tyrannies, began to take shape.
- The period also saw the development of Greek art, including vase painting and sculpture, and the foundation of colonization across the Mediterranean.
5. **The Classical Period (ca. 500–323 BCE)**:
- Considered the golden age of Greek civilization, marked by the rise of **democracy** in Athens under leaders like **Pericles**.
- Major conflicts, such as the **Persian Wars** and the **Peloponnesian War**, shaped Greek history.
- This era produced iconic philosophers like **Socrates**, **Plato**, and **Aristotle**, as well as playwrights such as **Sophocles**, **Euripides**, and **Aeschylus**.
- Monumental architecture, such as the **Parthenon**, symbolized the height of Greek artistic achievement.
6. **The Hellenistic Period (323–31 BCE)**:
- Following the death of **Alexander the Great**, Greek culture spread throughout his vast empire, blending with Persian, Egyptian, and Indian influences.
- Hellenistic cities like **Alexandria** became centers of learning and innovation.
- Advances in science (Archimedes, Euclid), philosophy (Epicurus, Zeno), and art occurred during this time.
7. **Roman Conquest (146 BCE–31 BCE)**:
- Greece fell under Roman control, but Greek culture heavily influenced Roman art, philosophy, and religion.
- The legacy of Greek civilization persisted even after Greece became part of the Roman Empire.
---
### **Key Aspects of Greek Civilization**
1. **Politics and Governance**:
- **Democracy**: Athens pioneered the concept of democracy, where citizens could participate in decision-making.
- Other city-states, like Sparta, were governed by oligarchies or mixed systems that included kingship and councils.
2. **Philosophy**:
- Greek philosophers laid the groundwork for Western thought.
- **Socrates**: Known for his method of questioning to seek truth and morality.
- **Plato**: Wrote "The Republic," exploring justice and ideal governance.
- **Aristotle**: A polymath who influenced fields such as biology, ethics, and politics.
3. **Art and Architecture**:
- Sculpture: Greeks idealized the human form, striving for realism and proportion.
- Architecture: The **Doric**, **Ionic**, and **Corinthian** orders defined classical architecture, exemplified by temples like the Parthenon.
- Drama and Theater: The Greeks developed tragedy and comedy, performed in open-air amphitheaters.
4. **Religion and Mythology**:
- Polytheistic religion centered around gods like **Zeus**, **Athena**, and **Apollo**.
- Myths explained natural phenomena, human behavior, and cultural traditions.
- Religious festivals, such as the **Olympic Games**, honored the gods and united the Greek city-states.
5. **Science and Technology**:
- Greek scientists and mathematicians made groundbreaking contributions:
- **Pythagoras** in mathematics.
- **Hippocrates** in medicine.
- **Archimedes** in engineering.
6. **Literature**:
- Epic poems, such as Homer’s **Iliad** and **Odyssey**, became cornerstones of Western literature.
- Lyric poetry, as seen in the works of **Sappho**, expressed personal emotions and themes.
---
### **Legacy of Greek Civilization**
- The ideas and achievements of the Greeks have had a profound and enduring influence on Western culture, including concepts of democracy, philosophy, art, and science.
- The Renaissance, often considered a "rebirth" of classical ideas, was heavily inspired by Greek knowledge and achievements.
- Modern institutions, from democratic governments to Olympic sports, owe much to ancient Greek traditions.
Greek civilization remains a cornerstone in the history of humanity, embodying the pursuit of knowledge, beauty, and governance that continues to shape our world.