Ancient Greek Culture

Ancient Greek Culture

Throughout history, the Greeks made important contributions to philosophy, mathematics, astronomy, and medicine. Literature and theatre were also a huge aspect of Greek culture and influenced modern drama as we know it today. The Greeks were known for their sophisticated sculptures and advanced architecture. Greek culture also influenced the Roman Empire and many other civilizations, and many of the ideas and institutions that came from ancient Greece continues to influence modern cultures today.

Technological Traits

One of the most famous technological traits and artifacts that the ancient Greeks are known for is their pottery and sculptures. The Greeks made small terracotta pots and figurines and used them in many aspects of their daily lives. They gave them as gifts to the Greek gods and goddesses, buried them with the dead and even gave them to their children as toys. Though this may seem strange to us today, these pots are known as one of the most utilized art in history. Ancient Greeks also spent a majority of their time hand crafting pots, jars, and vases out of stone and clay. These were used for almost everything in their daily lives such as for storage, carrying items, mixing, serving, drinking, and even as cosmetic and perfume containers. These jars and vases were painted with religious or mythological scenes that were perceived as a way to communicate with one another during this time.

Sociological Traits

The ancient Greeks were very innovative and creative people in the ways in which they communicated. Since the Greeks were very developed, they faced many times of celebration, sorrow and war in which they needed ways to communicate. Some communication methods were used from one single person to another, between armies, leaders, from an emperor to his citizens and another type of communication involved relaying messages to the gods and goddesses of Greece. One way the Geeks communicated was by the stentorophonic horn, which was also known as a ''tube''. This was an effective communication device for delivering messages to thousands of people at once and was commonly used in war. Alexander the Great and other military leaders would use this horn to speak to armies or to let other armies know of their location. The sound could be heard from up to 100 furlongs or about 12 1/2 miles away. They also communicated by sending messages and these detailed messages were later accomplished by using tablets containing the alphabet. This is a system where two parties had "tablets" arranged in the same order and would know which letters to use to decode messages based on the use of a signalman's torch. Depending on how many times the torch was raised and at what angle dictated which letter the other party would use to decode the message. Since the Greek Gods were very important to them, they would avoid angering their gods by communicating and asking for blessings. Ancient Greeks would pray, give a sacrifice, perform in theater or put on a festival such as the Olympic games in order to communicate with them.

Ideological Culture

One of the biggest factors in this culture is the Greek Gods. The Greeks believed in gods and goddesses who they believed had control over every part of people's lives. The Ancient Greeks believed that they had to pray to the gods constantly for help and protection, because if the gods were unhappy with someone, then they would punish them. They made special places in their homes and temples where they could pray to statues of the gods and leave presents for them as a sign of peace. The Greeks had a different god for almost every aspect of life. They imagined that the gods lived together, as a family, up on the top of Mount Olympus. They did not see them as perfect, but just like normal people who they could pray to for help. In the Greek myths the gods argue, fall in love, get jealous of each other and make mistakes just like humans. These Gods were involved in every aspect of life such as work, theater, justice, politics, marriage, and battle and there was no separation between life and religion. Some of the most famous Greek Gods all over the world are Zeus, the leader of the gods; in charge of rain and the sky, Hera, Zeus's wife; was the goddess of marriage and childbirth, Poseidon; the god of the sea, Aphrodite; the goddess of love, Hades; the god of the Underworld, where the dead lived, and Ares; god of war and battle. These Gods and Goddesses are one of the most famous ancient beliefs to date and there have been numerous movies and stories written about these Gods and how they were the main focus of Greek lifestlye for many decades.

Cultural Landscape

Mount Olympus mountain peak, is the highest mountain in Greece, sitting at 9,570 feet high. Mount Olympus is of importance to the Ancient Greek culture because it was perceived as the home to the Greek Gods and Goddesses. The Greeks believed they lived as a family at the very top of this mountain and it is still a historic landmark to this day.

Language and Religion

The Greeks were the first Europeans to have an alphabet. This alphabet eventually gave birth to all modern European languages spoken today. There are various theories regarding the origin of ancient Greek language. Some scholars like Geoffrey Horrocks believe the language traveled with the Proto-Greek speakers from the Greek Peninsula. Ancient Greeks spoke an Indo-European language spoken from about 1500 BC to about 300 BC. Ancient Greek and Latin are very important languages although it is no longer spoken today. The Ancient Greeks were very religious and they believe in Greek Gods and Goddesses. They would pray to these Gods, preform for them, and bring them gifts in order to not be punished. This religion surrounded their whole life and there was no separation from home and church. Delphi, Greece was an ancient religious sanctuary dedicated to the Greek god Apollo. This was known as one of the holiest cities in ancient Greek culture. When going to Delhi, visitors would have to walk along the Sacred Way, a path to the sanctuary of Apollo that was lined with treasures and monuments. Delphi declined with the rise of Christianity and was buried under the site of a new village until the late 1800s.

Multimedia

This is an old newspaper article from Greece that gives a good example of their language and what it would look like to communicate.