Greek culture has significantly inspired mankind with its ancient philosophy, open heart to patriotism, pure morality and noble heroism. As the well-known, Greek poet, Odysseus Elytis once stated, “If you deconstruct Greece, you will in the end see an olive tree, a grapevine and a boat remain. That is as much, if you reconstruct her.”
Democracy may have shifted in meaning over time, but its core purpose remains stable. The Ancient Greeks were the ones to create the world’s first democracy, setting a powerful standard for nations all around the world. Similarly, Greek philosophy has made a significant and lasting contribution to our lives from every aspect of human knowledge, ethics, aesthetics, logic, and science. Aristotle, Plato, Pythagoras, Anaxagoras, and Socrates are considered amongst the greatest philosophers of all time, as their teachings have left a noteworthy mark on society.
The Olympic Games held every four years in honor of Zeus, God of the sky, lightning, and thunder, remain one of the world’s largest athletic events. Today, we continue some of the old traditions such as opening and closing celebrations, olive leaf crowns, and the lighting of the flame. Aside from sports, theater is another major contribution to the modern world in which Ancient Greeks played a role in. The word “theater” originates from the Greek word “theatron”, meaning the seating portion of the arena where people watched plays. The semi-circular, classic structure still exists today, allowing the audience to gain a unique perspective of the performance.
Abundance of knowledge and wisdom have been practiced for thousands of years; leading to what we now identify as the place in which the heart of western civilization was initiated. Greek culture has not only encouraged democracy, Christianity and patriotism, but has also inspired determination, devotion and dedication by its philosophers’ essential teachings. Greek influence is exerted across multiple aspects of our lives, presenting distinct values and ideologies that define society today.
