How Did Greece Contribute To Western Civilization

What were the contributions to western civilization from the Ancient Greeks?

While discussing Ancient Greece, many people will normally think of democracy, gods, and philosophy. Ancient Greece, in many aspects, contributed greatly to the United States and western civilizations. Almost identical to the structure of the Greek systems, the governmental systems used today in the United States and many other western countries is very much based on the different forms of governments that developed over time in the different poleis of ancient Greece, especially Athens. Many ancient Greeks greatly contributed to modern math and science as well as literature. Ancient Greek architecture, entertainment, and art can be pointed out in the daily lives

Greece is known for its incredible advancements in math and science. The Greeks mainly focused on philosophy, astronomy, and geometry. Many of the well-known and successful people in ancient Greece include Aristotle, Plato, Socrates, and Euclid. Euclid was a highly regarded mathematician who compiled a geometry text. In a book titled Elements written by Euclid in about 300 BCE.E., he presented 465 geometry propositions and proofs. One of his propositions is the idea of a theorem, “If two straight lines cut one another, the vertical, or opposite, angles shall be equal.” (DOC.5) Today, we know this to be true. This shows how the Greeks advanced because of their new thinking in regards to mathematics and sciences. Another advanced academic scholar from this time was a Greek philosopher named Socrates. A popular quote from Socrates is “The unexamined life is not worth living.” (DOC.1) Socrates had a strong sense of value flowing with life. This quotation explains that Socrates thought it was better to question life and explore it than live it while blantly following the majority’s ideas. Without teachings like these from Socrates and especially Euclid, the ancient Greeks would find it difficult to make statues, build temples to worship gods and goddesses in, and much more. If math and science were not a part of Greek culture, western civilizations along with other

The Greeks were not all unified under one government due to their geography, so depending on the polis, different governments were in place. Some of the different forms of government include monarchy, aristocracy, oligarchy, and direct democracy. Athens was a Greek polis that constantly changed its government to avoid civil war. Athens’ legal codes, similar to the U.S. constitution, stated the restrictions and rights of the people. Pericles was an Athenian political, inspiring speaker, and a respected general who was favored for his aspirations and goals towards bettering Athens. In an excerpt from Pericles’ Funeral Oration, Pericles’ discusses democracy and its ideal structure. (DOC.3) He explains how democracy favors the many instead of the few and social standing is based on ability, not just inherited. This is similar to America’s values that are protected by its government because American citizens all have the right to work their way up and the majority of the population is middle, working class, and they have the same say in the government as rich families do. Pericles also says that every citizen has an equal opportunity to serve the public and that “distinguished citizens” are chosen to make political decisions. The poor also may serve their country, so again he restates that social scale doesn't affect a person’s ability to have a voice in their democratic government. Pericles’ goals are