Abstract In this article, the writer notes that until about 1870, historians and scholars who specialized in the history and archeology of ancient Greece were, for the most part, quite ignorant about Greek culture and society and considered this area of study as being filled with myth. The writer points out that from excavations conducted in the early years of the 20th century, the history of ancient Greece is now well-known and understood, especially through the magnificent artifacts that have been uncovered. Thus, the writer maintains that these artifacts illustrate that the cultural and social heritage of ancient Greece was one of the most important Western civilizations of all time. The writer concludes that they also prove that the ancient Greeks were superb artisans who always attempted to reveal the intricacies of Greek culture through their work.
From the Paper "In essence, many of these artifacts will enable us to reconstruct the development of the Greek style in art and to appreciate their uses and place in ancient Greek society. Imagine for a moment living in ancient Greece, perhaps somewhere amid the long and winding coastline of the Aegean Sea, or perhaps high up in the great mountain chains of the Peloponnesos or Thessaly, the home of Mount Olympus and the pantheon of Greek gods and goddesses, such as all-powerful Zeus and his wife Hera, Aphrodite, the goddess of love, Apollo and Hermes, the messenger of the gods."
"In this environment, common men and women worked in the cities as laborers, merchants and slaves and toiled in the fields in order to feed the hungry masses in places like Argos, Sparta, Thebes and especially mighty Athens, the home of Pericles and Greek democracy. Thus, in these and many other environments, the ancient Greeks fashioned a very wide spectrum of items, ranging from ordinary clay pots to outstanding examples of Greek art in the form of amphora, drinking vessels, armor, weapons, jewelry, bowls and statues."
Abstract This paper discusses the understanding of different cultures through a case study of the Greek-American community. It discusses history of the Greeks in America, conflicts between the Greek Orthodox and Roman Catholic Church, as well as Greek stereotypes. The paper was written for a class on cultures and uses terms, such as pluralism, ethnocentrism, and co-cultures. It explores facets of Greek-American culture, including gender roles, Greek identities, and the history of the Greek-American experience.
From the Paper "Despite these problems, pluralism is the accepted practice in the United States. People naturally form groups with other people who are similar to them. Rich people play golf together often, just like bookworms form book clubs with one another. In fact this form of group making is taught throughout school. The first thing we do is place a student in his or her grade level. They are encouraged to spend time with their peers, only. If they stray from their group it is not considered normal."
Abstract This paper discusses the role of ancient Greek drama in Greek society. The paper explains the stage styles, how actors performed and the main types of plays performed in ancient Greek theater. The author discusses tragedies, comedies and a special form of theater called "dithyramb," which was sung by a large chorus. The paper goes on to discuss the importance of the elements of prose, lyrics and dancing in the ancient Greek drama. The paper then goes on to discuss some of ancient Greece's foremost playwrights, as well as theories about the origins of drama.
From the Paper "The word 'Drama' as such has originated from the Greek words that mean 'to do', or 'to act'. When a story is acted out, it becomes a 'play', and this was the medium used by the ancient Greeks to act out their stories, which were either humorous and were about funny situations in their everyday lives, or they would be great tragedies, which would act out some important episode or period of their lives at the time. The speech and actions of the play would therefore, recreate human lives and its flow. It can be stated that ancient Greece was in fact the real birthplace of the future 'drama' of the Western world. In Greece, these plays or dramas were presented on stage twice a year, in honor of the God Dionysius, and there would be choruses made up of men who would be dressed up in goatskins, and who were meant to represent 'satyrs' or those mythical creatures who were partly goat, and partly man."
Abstract This paper researches the correlation between the Ancient Greek past, the Orthodox Church and Greek culture. It focuses on the areas of the evolution of the Greek Orthodox Church and its practices, art, theatre, music and dance. This paper discusses how each of these areas has roots in Ancient Greece, and the research attempts to demonstrate how these foundations were associated with one another throughout Greek culture.
From the Paper " Theatrical performances began with the use of music by choirs that were praising the gods and pleading for a bountiful harvest. This practice among the ancients also involved the earliest forms of folk dance. These three art forms were later also incorporated into the Orthodox religion through festivals and the practice of a liturgy that remains of cultural significance today.Greek culture has evolved from ancient times with many of the original traditions still being honored today. Elements of ancient Greek culture exist in modern society because the Greeks provided a foundation of many of the world's forms of art. Theatre, for example, began in Greece as a musical choir form of devotion to the gods to ensure a good harvest. Greek art was considered an intricate craftsmanship that demonstrated the precision and advanced technique of an innovative culture."
Abstract This paper examines Greek poetry and how we can learn about Greek society. It analyzes and details the Odysseus, the Iliad, and more. It discusses the morals of Greek society, their ideals, their lifestyles, their literary style and more. This paper examines is an in-depth analysis of Hellenic society using some of their most famous works to detail it.
From the Paper "While today we primarily read the works of Homer for the eloquence and literary skill of this great Greek poet, we may also examine his texts for the clues that they provide to a deeper understanding of Greek society. For we must recognize that every text is both a product of the time and place in which it was created as well as a portal to that place, a means of transport to a world marked by its particular set of values and visions. Both the Iliad and the Odyssey were recognized by the Greeks themselves not only as great epics, marked by a superb literary style, but also as something far more than merely engaging tales. The stories were for the ancient Greeks themselves a venerable source of lessons about morality, about the nature of heroism and about the proper ways in which a society should be structured. Given the value that the Greeks placed on these stories as exemplars of the values of Hellenic society, we can do the same by looking to the texts to help us understand how the Greeks understood their world."
Abstract This paper explores the origins, rise and decline of the Greek civilization, beginning with the first Olympic Games and ending with the dawn of the Roman Empire. It expands on all facets of the ancient Greek culture.
From the Paper "It is no doubt impossible to overstate how profoundly ancient Greek civilization has impacted modern Western society. Providing the first known models of participatory democracy, construing philosophical concepts that have roused debate for two and a half million ..."
Tags: ancient Greece, Classical Greek Period, Socrates, Plato, Alexander the Great, ancient civilizations, Greek mythology
Abstract This paper takes a look at the Greek community of New York City from the 1890s to the 1950s. It discusses the migration and development of the Greek community and lists two primary causes for the migration and establishment of the Greek community.
From the Paper "Immigration is one of the most important demographic factors in the United States. For example, in "Circles of Influence and Chains of Command" Anthony M. Orum notes, During the past four decades, millions of new immigrants have entered the United States. As of 2002, more than 32 million new residents, or approximately 11 percent of the total U.S. population, have been added in this manner (Orum 921). Although immigration is a very important demographic factor in the United States it is not a uniform phenomenon. "
Abstract Greek architecture is very important to understanding Greek society more generally. With this in mind, the paper examines the interesting economic, political and religious considerations or motivations which went into the construction of works which stand even today as symbols of architectural beauty and excellence. In particular, the paper looks at how the cost of building materials determined the early construction of Greek public structures, most notably temples. The paper discusses how a vigorous and wealthy Greece sought to communicate this wealth through the conspicuous construction of unforgettable marble public buildings.
Abstract This paper compares and contrasts the Roman and Greek ideals of marriage. The essay analyzes the Roman virtues of marriage and compares it with Greek virtues of matrimony (with respect to the women of the archaic and classical periods). The paper uses "Women in the Classical World" as a reference book for the essay.
Abstract This paper reviews the stylistic connections among Roman, Greek and Etruscan art, brought about by the many historical, political, cultural and economic correlations that existed among these three ancient societies. It focuses on the ways in which the art of the Roman Republic combined elements of both Etruscan and Greek art. The author discusses the distinctions between the art of these three societies.
From the Paper "There are clear stylistic connections among Roman, Greek and Etruscan art a point that should hardly surprise us given the many historical, political, cultural and economic connections that existed among these three ancient societies. But there are also as ..."
Tags: humanism, proportion, Estruscan, Greek, Roman
Abstract This paper provides a discussion of the long tradition of the influence of ancient Egyptian art on ancient Greek artists. The paper looks at how the art of both are affected by their societies' world views. The paper discusses the primary functions of Egyptian art and the different style of Greek art, particularly in relation to depiction of figures.
From the Paper "This paper compares ancient Egyptian art with ancient Greek art and considers the ways in which the Greeks were influenced by Egyptian art. Egypt established a long and enduring artistic tradition. Greek art drew heavily on that background, using many of the same kinds of subjects and incorporating many similar symbols but then reinterpreted them through very different eyes and a strikingly different cultural perception. Both visions continue to have a profound impact on artists in modern cultures from their representation of everyday life to the varied..."
Abstract This paper takes a look at four questions of women and politics as reflected in the Greek plays 'Medea' and 'Agamemnon'. The paper discusses the relationship between women and politics, the social and political position of women, how Greek stereotypes of women further each play's dramatic action and how the presentation of women plays into the themes of each play.
From the Paper "In ancient Greek classics, two of the most common themes involved the role of women in society and the part that politics played. The most intriguing plots occurred when these two themes intersected during a single work. Women and politics indeed come into breathtaking contact in Euripides' play, Medea. The play begins with a nurse telling of the happenings that will lead to tragedy. The action which sets the ball rolling toward tragedy is that "deserting his own children and my mistress [Medea], Jason has taken a royal wife to his bed, The daughter of the ruler of this land, Creon" (Medea 17-19). Here women are not used for love, but instead for the political clout that they might bring, in this case because of the princess, Glauce."
Abstract This paper discusses similarities between the ancient Greeks and the ancient Hebrews. It discusses the similarities in terms of both being relatively small kingdoms, both being centered on a few autonomous cities, both with a well-developed religious mythos, and both given to philosophical writings. The paper then compares the ancient Greeks and Hebrews to the ancient Romans.
From the Paper "Ancient Greece and the ancient Hebrews had similar civilizations in many respects, both being relatively small kingdoms, both being centered on a few autonomous cities, both with a well-developed religious mythos, and both given to philosophical writings. Neither civilization was as grandiose or widespread as the Roman civilization that followed, and both were shaped around smaller groupings of warring cities or tribes. The tribes of Israel were unified and held together first by their beliefs, but they clearly lacked many of the elements considered essential to the concept of a nation. The tribes of Israel never acted long as a unit prior to the time of the rise of the monarchy in Palestine. There was before that time only single tribes, and occasionally small groups of tribes intervening in historical events. The term "nation" used to refer to the Israelites cannot be seen as having the same sense when used for other nations."
Abstract The paper describes and discusses a Greek krater. A krater is an ancient Greek vase or bowl. The paper looks at how kraters were originally used for mixing wine with water at banquets and describes its specific style. The paper introduces the geometric style Krater with an example in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. It also analyzes how the geometric style evolved and the issues with dating these works.
From the Paper "A krater is a Greek vase or bowl. It has a wide mouth, handles on either side, and a foot on which it stands. These bowls were used to mix wine with water at banquets in ancient Greece. These vases are often adorned with scenes from Greek mythology or scenes of banquets like the one at which the krater would be used. Many of the kraters found in Greece reflect what is called the geometric style, an example of which is the Terracotta Krater, ca. 750-735 B.C., found today in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. The geometric style this krater represents is an early form that evolved into more advanced forms of Greek vase painting, and dating such works can be an issue because the geometric style often persisted beyond its early date and so co-existed with more advanced styles."
Abstract A short history of the great Greek mathematicians. Amongst those discussed are Pythagoras, Zeno, Euclid, Hippocrates, and Thales. This essay is a brief overview of their major contributions to modern mathematics.
