Europe
By Josh Moak
P: Political:
The Greek political system was, most notably, a democracy. According to Pericles in 431 BCE, they valued a man's ability over his social status. Democracy comes from the Greek word dēmos which was their word for citizens. Although other city states besides Athens practiced democracy, Athens is the most widely known about city state. Once a month, the assembly would meet and vote on current matters. Even though dēmos referred to the whole citizenship, only the wealthiest and most influential had the power.
This is where the speakers stood to talk to the Athenian assembly.
http://www.ancient.eu.com/image/403/
E: Economic:
As the Greeks expanded to encompass more of the Mediterranean, their trade also grew to keep up. Goods such as wine, cheese tools and pottery was traded between different city states, but their fine pottery was also in demand in places as far as West Africa.
Their currency, the drachma, was one of the world's first coins. Its value was originally meant to be that of a handful of arrows. The drachma survived until 2002, when Greece became part of the European Union.
A Greek drachma.
http://www.cc.ece.ntua.gr/~conster/English/PageData/Archaeology/Images/4_drachma_philippos.jpg
http://www.cc.ece.ntua.gr/~conster/English/PageData/Archaeology/Images/4_drachma_philippos.jpg
R: Religion:
The Greeks had a polytheistic religion in which each god worshiped represented a different part of the human character. The Olympian gods led by Zeus were the most important. They were comprised of Athena, Apollo, Poseidon, Hermes, Hera, Aphrodite and several more. In their mythology, the gods lead ordinary human lives in which they had families, and contentions. The works of Homer and Hesiod were an attempt to put the oral traditions into writing
The Greeks had a polytheistic religion in which each god worshiped represented a different part of the human character. The Olympian gods led by Zeus were the most important. They were comprised of Athena, Apollo, Poseidon, Hermes, Hera, Aphrodite and several more. In their mythology, the gods lead ordinary human lives in which they had families, and contentions. The works of Homer and Hesiod were an attempt to put the oral traditions into writing
This table was where the Greeks would make sacrifices to their gods.
http://www.ancient.eu.com/image/484/
http://www.ancient.eu.com/image/484/
S: Society:
Greek societies were made up into city-states that were independent from one another. They ranged from 250 to 2,500 square kilometers.
The social classes were divided into four classes with the first being composed of Aristocrats and rich people. The second class was land owning average citizens. The third group was the business people like traders and merchants. On the bottom were the slaves.
Women were unable to own land, vote or do anything that men were able to do. The Spartan women on the other hand were submitted to the same physical training as men and they had more status.
Children were sent to school and they spent a lot of time learning about literature, and the arts. In Sparta, the kids were trained as warriors at a young age.
Greek societies were made up into city-states that were independent from one another. They ranged from 250 to 2,500 square kilometers.
The social classes were divided into four classes with the first being composed of Aristocrats and rich people. The second class was land owning average citizens. The third group was the business people like traders and merchants. On the bottom were the slaves.
Women were unable to own land, vote or do anything that men were able to do. The Spartan women on the other hand were submitted to the same physical training as men and they had more status.
Children were sent to school and they spent a lot of time learning about literature, and the arts. In Sparta, the kids were trained as warriors at a young age.
An example of the typical Greek social structure.
http://www.hierarchystructure.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Ancient-Greece-Hierarchy.jpg
I: Intellect:
Greek philosophy was much concerned with science and mathematics. These teachings influenced much of modern western culture.
http://www.hierarchystructure.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Ancient-Greece-Hierarchy.jpg
I: Intellect:
Greek philosophy was much concerned with science and mathematics. These teachings influenced much of modern western culture.
In this room, all the famous Greek philosophers were gathered together.
http://www.ancient.eu.com/uploads/images/272.jpg
A: Arts:
Greek architecture has an iconic look. The three main types were called Doric and Ionic and Corinthian as illustrated below.
Another facet of Greek art is its pottery. They have been found in modern times without any structural flaws. Black figure pottery is the most recognizable type and it is adorned with black silhouettes.
http://www.ancient.eu.com/uploads/images/272.jpg
A: Arts:
Greek architecture has an iconic look. The three main types were called Doric and Ionic and Corinthian as illustrated below.
Another facet of Greek art is its pottery. They have been found in modern times without any structural flaws. Black figure pottery is the most recognizable type and it is adorned with black silhouettes.