The Greeks and Modern Civilization

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses how three of the greatest contributions to modern Western society from the Greek civilization are democratic government, individual rights, and rational thought. This paper examines this ancient culture through the eyes of many contemporary great minds, such as Thucydides, Aristotle, Plato, Homer, and Pythagoras. It also includes a focus on the works of great historian, Victor Hanson.

From the Paper:

"In almost every Greek play, when the story is stripped of its unique primary characters, there are inevitably the average citizens who provide an essential element to the drama. They are not rich aristocrats, nor are they the stupid clowns. They are the pieces that allow the everyday viewer to relate to the play. These benchmark characters allow the commoner to truly see and compare the faults of the extremely wealthy. This recurring theme of anti-aristocracy presents itself in writings from Homer through Sophocles and is reflected in the faith and support for the "middle-class" that has become so crucial to modern democracy."

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