Ancient Rome and its influence on USA examined in new class - Stanford News America's version of Greek dessert typically includes assorted Baklavas, custards, and fruit and yogurt. Around the world people everywhere are looking for a way to have a voice and it seems that the Greeks were some of the first to put this idea into play, I for one am glad that the idea has stuck and that I live in a county that practices it. Today,, Greeces culture is high context, which means that for the Greek culture the meaning of messages is determined by the context or the environment. Although the United States is technically a republic (or "representative democracy") rather than a direct democracy, many elements of contemporary government, including trial by jury, derive from ancient models. People in ancient Greek civilization thought, believed, and treated people differently than modern day Western civilization does. Greek life at colleges or universities are very important and beneficial for a students four years of college. They knew their society wasnt perfect and didnt want it be seen that way. The Group Studied Information on Greek-American and Greek national identity was gathered among Greek-American residents and temporary Greek na- Ancient Greece and China Compared - cambridge.org Within the extended family, grandparents play meaningful roles in guiding younger generations; adolescents and adults with employment, marital, or child-rearing difficulties receive assistance and emotional support; and caregiving is enhanced for children and the elderly. It is important to compare and contrast these two societies in order to see where one succeeded where the other failed, and how these factors ultimately contributed to their triumphs as well as their downfalls. The expressions like "Achilles Heel," "Midas Touch" and "Trojan Horse" come directly from mythology written in Greek. Ancient Greece had three different column styles the Doric, Ionic and Corinthian as a substitute wood for building temples. They also use this time to catch up with friends and neighbors while working on projects together or just sitting around chatting over coffee. The Greek culture lasted from around 776 BCE to 146 BCE (though it is argued to have begun around 1000 BCE), during this time they invented many technologies and refined old technologies. -The Greek Orthodox Church plays an important role in day-to-day life because it dictates what happens in society through its rules and regulations such as not being able to eat meat during Lent or not being able to get married on a Sunday. Greek culture is family-oriented, and Americans are more individualistic. The culture of Ancient Egypt also sets the norms for current Egypt. Ancient Greek medicine: Influences and practice - Medical News Today Nude figures are showcased for advertising purposes; female bodies with little clothing are often displayed on billboards and in commercials aired on television to sell products such as alcohol, clothing, and sporting entertainment. The question, "What did the Greeks contribute to modern society", was posed, and I will begin to answer. . Direct eye contact is expected it is viewed as a sign of interest and respect towards the speaker., The Greeks and the Romans were among the most influential societies in the history of the world. This follows the Greek idea of Philotimo, a . However, the language spoken at the time of the Ancient Greek antiquity and the language that is spoken today in modern Greece are very different but related. The Minoan structure of complex design that gave rise to the Greek legend of the labyrinth, the intricate maze where the monstrous half man/half bull Minotaur was supposedly confined by King Minos in the palace at Knossos, which a. is absent of protective walls. Credit: A. Makris / Greek Reporter. The movie, My Big Fat Greek Wedding, portrays extended-family household, in which three or more generations live together. Copyright 2023 IPL.org All rights reserved. The Greek system of government was maybe more like a true democracy or administered by the general population than any other ever. People do know that in Ancient Greece citizens worshiped these gods, made sacrifices and prayers to them and believed that the events happening in their lives were directly traceable to how angry or happy they had made the gods. The nascent United States of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, therefore, wanted to align itself with the highly-respected Grecian tradition. Thus, the similarities one finds between elements of contemporary North American culture and ancient Greek culture are actually the result of direct influence. Four Ancient Greek Ideals that Influenced American Independence A Comparison of Ancient Greek Culture and Modern American Culture - Kibin The Greek civilization contributed greatly to the development of modern Western culture. In ancient Greece, stories about gods and goddesses and heroes and monsters were an important part of everyday life. (Greek Mythology.) The civilization showed that numerous characters and stories helped shape Greeks. This common sense of civic engagement plays out in other ways too. Each god or goddess had his or her own temple for sacrifices or offerings. They are known as the classics. M.A. Similar to Americans, Greeks were a very entertainment based culture. As a girl with a perpetual sweet tooth, I was constantly on the hunt for a treat to satisfy my craving, and I was not disappointed. It is important to understand the differences between Greek and American culture to have a successful business relationship. (2019, March 15). (Since World War II, we have increasingly appreciated other traditions, such as the Hebraic.) While in the American diet, they used sugar in their deserts instead. This is not only including my consanguineal family, but also including my extended family as well. This lesson, althougn many years old, still applied to today, even in a place as diverse as America. A brief history of Western culture (article) | Khan Academy Difference Between Ancient and Modern Greek his wife was hera his weapon was a thunderbolt which he hurled at those who displeased or defied. It's earliest origins were found in Mycenae, where it was written in a language called Linear B, between 1,500 and 1,200 B.C. According to chnm.gmu.edu (n.d.), the economic crisis in Greece caused many Greek families to send their sons to the United States to make money to send back home to Greece. Characteristics Of Greek Culture - 706 Words - Internet Public Library Some of the most widespread subjects in Greek cultural history are the Greek myths. Artistic styles and literature in Ancient Greece are the foundation of artistic styles and literature in Western Societies. That doesn't make English a dead language. 6. Did Alexander achieve greatness? The ideas and practices that led to the development of the American democratic republic after 1776 owe a debt to the ancient civilization of Greece. They associated each of their gods with a different aspect of life or nature. They created things WELL that were way before their time. How did Greek drama and religion influence each other? It seems that the true pagan roots might have been changed to incorporate more Christian beliefs. This family type is typical in America and have the just parents and their children. When studying abroad, it is important to understand what the local people think of you before you make any assumptions about them. 2. From creating what people know of the modern theater, to the Socratic method of learning, which is still used today, the civilization was alive with thought and progress. . All Rights Reserved, 9 Lansdowne Street, Suite 2Boston, MA 02215. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'questionscity_com-box-4','ezslot_5',110,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-questionscity_com-box-4-0'); One practice unique to Greece is honoring departed loved ones with a lit candle or oil lamp. This goes even into how the constitution is structured much like The Constitution of the Athenians, both documents lay out the structure and the checks and balances that are placed to keep the government power in balance with the power of the people (NGS, 2019). Eventually, a compromise was reached, and the language was solidified into a form that was used in most writing and speaking by the early 19th century. Resource 01: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Culture_of_the_United_StatesResource 02: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Culture_of_Greece, Differences Between Greek and American Culture, Differences between Vietnamese vs American culture, The Differences Between Australian VS American Culture, Differences between Italian vs American culture, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Culture_of_the_United_States, Americans focus on what is most important, In Greece, the oldest son inherits the property of his father, America it goes to whoever is next inline. The ancient Greek spiritual beliefs, religion and tradition are all reflected through the myths and legends for the past two thousand years. What are some similarities between current American society and ancient The Ancient Greeks have influenced American culture through their language, their architecture, and in the theater. Farming played a big part in their culture, which is shared with America, as farming continues to be a trade that is necessary, no matter what age. The article gave an example of the Greeks and Callatians, who have very different cultural values of what to do with the dead. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. Many words in the English language were derived from those of the Ancient Greeks. These three different styles are still been used today in various mode like the Greeks. Cities and towns existed, with city-states serving almost like todays capitals of each state. The clearest influence is in the English lexicon and in the conceptualizing of language. Cultural diffusion helped spread Greek culture all over the world, and its effects can still be felt today in almost every aspect. 1. Ancient Greece helped shaped the world of today. The Greeks had similarities and differences compared to traditional Americans and our culture. Both the United States and ancient Athens had trials by jury. They made long lasting contributions in the areas of art, architecture, philosophy, math, drama, and science. The Greeks created a vast religious system, filled with heroes, gods, villains, monsters, and more. This is the reason why Greeks will interrupt what someone is saying while they try to figure out what is means. In the Odyssey, I feel as if the Gods role was to function more as spiritual guides and as support for the human of choice. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. Without the influences of the ancient Greeks our society wouldnt be the way it is today. Differences between classical Persia and Greece comprise of their approaches to politics and their religious practices. Many cultures and religions have adapted their ideas from the ancient Greeks. But boy do the Greeks like their potatoes: fried, roasted, sauted in olive oil and spices, even mashed. To Americans, culture is the everywhere. There is no single answer to the question of what American culture consists of. To one culture, the other seemed completely barbaric and disrespectful, and they would never do the other, as proved by King Darius. While there have been significant changes to the pronunciation and spelling in many areas, compared with the evolution of languages like Latin to Italian and the rest of the Romance languages, Greek is relatively similar. Already a member? Nowadays democracy could be referred as a rule of the majority. While contemporary English has many "loan" words from languages like French, Italian and Spanish, many of the words that are a foundational part of the English language are directly derived from Ancient Greek. Alexander the Great is a legend or a hero in history, but some of the information about him is separated from fact to legend. Ancient Greek Influence On American Culture The Ancient Greeks have influenced American culture through their language, their architecture, and in the theater. When the rights to vote were first set in place, they very much so resembled that of ancient Greece. Our democracy in America is similar to this. The family in this society is very important. You can find many examples of Greek architecture in America today, especially in our nations capital. Greek culture has greatly affected different parts of my daily life including architecture, food, government, inventions, music, religion, and education. However, over the past couple of millennia, and particularly in the last century, many new artistic styles have been developed. Where I live in the Midwest, there is hardly a small town county seat that doesn't have an impressive capitol building adorned with a rotunda and a sculpture Grecian woman holding the scales of justice in her hand. About 34% of Americans have some form of disability or illness that causes them to need special assistance at home or work. "The Greeks are often credited with pioneering a democratic government that went on to influence the structure of the United States" (National Geographic Society, 2019). Ancient Greek culture had major influences on todays culture; some of these influences include mathematics, government, art and architecture; they even did research in the field of medicine. The footwear brand Nike is named after the goddess Nike. At times it may appear as if they are yelling and annoyed but it is most likely a normal tone of voice. These include elements such as freedom of speech and expression, a strong focus on individuality, a love of convenience and comfort, and a sense of patriotism. In letting issues be decided directly by the voters, the United States is carrying on the tradition of the Athenians.