Assignment task:
Provide a constructive response to the following paper. For this week's Written Assignment, we have been asked to explore whether Classical Greece has influenced modern Western society and culture. So, I will answer that question in this essay and provide evidence to support my view. Ancient Greece's heyday was between the 5th century and ended with the Battle of Corinth with Ancient Rome in the 2nd century AD. Despite only lasting a few hundred This classical period led to significant and long-lasting advances in medicine, culture and society. For me whilst the Western world has undergone tremendous transformation since the end of the Ancient Greek civilization, it is undeniable that Classical Greece has had a profound and lasting influence on modern social democratic Western society and culture. Therefore, this paper will agree with the statement, and I will try to explain why I believe this ancient culture has shaped the modern world, including its influence on government, philosophy, science, art, and architecture. Democracy This is arguably Ancient Greece's most significant legacy to humanity; therefore, understandably, it is considered the 'Cradle of Democracy. The ancient Greeks were the first people to establish a system of government in which all citizens had the right to participate in the decision-making process. However, it took two thousand years to the 18th century till most major Western countries became democracies. A process which has gained pace, and now there is only a single dictatorship in Europe, known as Belarus. However, like most remaining dictatorships, ongoing protests are ongoing from the citizens wanting a more democratic system. (Anonemuss, 2022) Philosophy Another significant influence has been the philosophical impact in the field of Western philosophy, which means the 'love of wisdom'. Ancient Greek philosophers such as Socrates,Plato, and Aristotle are household names worldwide, even by people who have never studied Ancieent Greece. They developed many central concepts within Western philosophy, including epistemology, ethics, and metaphysics which continue to be studied and debated by philosophers today. (National Geographic, 2022) Science Another field where they made significant contributions was science. Ancient Greek scientists such as Euclid, Pythagoras, and Archimedes made key discoveries in mathematics, physics, and astronomy. These discoveries laid the foundation for modern scientific knowledge and were built upon by the greats like Sir Isaac Newton, Alan Turing and Albert Einstein. (Anonemuss, 2022) Art and Architecture My final influence is in the area of both art and influence. Ancient Greek artists and architects created many of the most iconic works of art and architecture in history, such as the Parthenon and the sculptures of Phidias. These works of art and architecture have inspired artists and architects for centuries. (Culturetrip, 2023) Conclusion So in conclusion for me Ancient Greece has had a profound and lasting influence on Western civilization and their contributions were later adopted and adapted by the Roman Empire, and then spread throughout Europe and the world. Whilst others created the world we live in to today is was the Greeks that laid the foundation for many of the things that we take for granted today, and their legacy continues to inspire and influence us.