if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'questionscity_com-leader-1','ezslot_8',116,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-questionscity_com-leader-1-0'); 1. Besides, if all countries were the same, where would the fun be in traveling? In letting issues be decided directly by the voters, the United States is carrying on the tradition of the Athenians. In architecture, many buildings follow neoclassical models using elements such as columns of the three classical orders (Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian). The nascent United States of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, therefore, wanted to align itself with the highly-respected Grecian tradition. . Greek civilization is alive; it moves in every breath of mind that we breathe; so much of it remains that none of us in one lifetime could absorb it all. Ancient Greeks are known to be one of the greatest and most advanced people and have left behind a legacy that helped define the Western civilization. Some of the most notable cultural contrasts include greetings, communication styles, food, and religion. There is no lettuce in an authentic greek salad. Thus the social aspects of the ancient Egyptians lives were greatly influenced by this. It is also evidence that i is a language that is very much alive. What was the effect of Greek colonization in the Mediterranean? Many cultures and religions have adapted their ideas from the ancient Greeks. For three weeks I traveled Greece through my school's studyabroad program. Ancient Egyptian Mythology had a significant impact on the way the Egyptians thought and lived. Cultural impact will always exist due to history and national pride. Ancient Greece believed that art is a depiction of the one's culture and individualism. Just as Pericles engaged in a massive public works program to glorify Athens, so we now have requirements that a small percentage of the budget for public buildings be set aside for art. The Greeks created a vast religious system, filled with heroes, gods, villains, monsters, and more. Civilization is the period in which humans develop and organize their community in an advanced form in different aspects. Similarities between the two classical Empires include aspects of their social structure. The ancient Greek spiritual beliefs, religion and tradition are all reflected through the myths and legends for the past two thousand years. It is important to remember that the Constitution is there in order know the rights that the people have and to remember that it is the law of the land and that it is there to help people with rights such as trial by jury and other similar rights. It will be brought to your table, but each slice or basket eaten will cost you. Ancient Greek culture is majorly influential in Western culture. All in all, Greece was an eye opening country and while it differs greatly from our way of living, I was able to meet incredible people and gain a better cultural perspective. Now don't get me wrong, ya girl loves potatoes (mmm carbs) just as much as the next person, but when you think of Greek food, potatoes aren't usually included that often. Latest answer posted January 22, 2019 at 2:51:11 PM. However, throughout my trip, there were many times that I was genuinely shocked and unprepared by all Greece had to offer, even after watching My Big Fat Greek Wedding. 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. If that is not an impact Greece has made on our culture, then I dont know what is. Last Updated on March 19, 2022 by QCity Editorial Stuffif(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[580,400],'questionscity_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_3',107,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-questionscity_com-medrectangle-3-0'); There are many cultural differences between Greece and America. Ancient Greece's economy depended on agriculture and trade. Tradition and religious practices represent a social lifestyle of the Greeks (mapsofworld.com. 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. Major works of literature, art, and political structure from ancient Greece remain relevant to modern Western society. 9. He claimed the existence of a higher justice in naturecertain essential rightsthat superseded the laws written by humans (NGS, 2019). The stories and myths consist of heroes and legends who are the protagonists. Ancient Greeks were known for their love of sports specifically wrestling or boxing. However a double standard remains in modern culture in regards to nudity. Well, yes and no. These two family styles clash at first but in time things are resolved before the, There were many contributions to western civilization from the Ancient Greeks. the alphabet had settled into what would come to be known as "the Greek alphabet." The class also focused on slavery, another similarity between ancient Rome and America. Also, a small number of people belong to Protestant and Jewish religions. In this paper differences between Greeks in the United States and Greeks in Greece (as perceived and identified by Greek-Americans and Greek nationals in a Southwestern American city) will be explored. I never thought that the Greeks wouldnt eat much of a breakfast also i didnt know that most of the food in Greece were imported from all around them. The style known as"Federal architecture" is based on classical Greek models and can be seen in many iconic buildings such as the Lincoln Memorial, the National Gallery, and the American Museum of Natural History. He lived in Macedonia, a kingdom in northern Greece. She has written for Pearson Education, The University of Miami, The New York City Teaching Fellows, New Visions for Public Schools, and a number of independent secondary schools. In current events it seems that Islam remains a religion that is discriminated against. There are several instances where the birth of democracy can be traced back to ancient Greece. c. has celebratory frescoes. However, religious discrimination is not entirely a new or old concept. Additionally, gods worshiped in Greece represented different traits and personalities which further contributed to the idea of individualisma core idea in Western Societies such as America today. In many state and local elections, there are ballot questions in which voters decide issues by a popular referendum. Credit: A. Makris / Greek Reporter. Greek governments varied from kings and oligarchs to the totalitarian, racist, warrior culture of Sparta and the direct democracy of Athens, whereas Roman kings gave way to a representative, elected republicuntil it was displaced by the power of the emperors. But that is in the same way that the English spoken in the United Kingdom and in the United States is different from the Old English you read in Chaucer and other early writings. 6. If you want help understanding how your company can work more effectively with Greeks, contact us today. The foods they eat also dont seem really different from what we would eat here. Ancient Greece was one of the most developed countries in its time. The differences between the two cultures are that one learned more things before the other. American Society and Ancient Greece. Accessed 2 May 2023. Who are the experts?Our certified Educators are real professors, teachers, and scholars who use their academic expertise to tackle your toughest questions. Large buildings utilizing Greek elements, such as adorned columns, friezes, porticos, and tympana can be found all over the United States. The way that laws are structured in the U.S. is based off of the ways that the ancient Greeks had their laws structured. A famous wine-jar that was made during this time period was Achilles killing the Amazon Queen Penthesilea, 540-530 BCE, black-figured amphora. 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. I still have dreams about the mint chocolate chip ice cream I ordered on my last day. Without the influences of the ancient Greeks our society wouldnt be the way it is today. As one of the oldest languages on the planet, unless the Greek people had stayed isolated from the rest of the larger world, the Greek language was bound to change. Alexander deserves to be called "the great" because he had many remarkable achievements, they showed leadership, creativity, and intelligence, and influenced culture in many different areas. 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. pic. However, those languages, too, were influenced by Greek. Ancient Greece and Current Democracy. The study of the visual arts and architecture in a given time period showcase the basic ideas about a group of human beings giving insight into their beliefs and cultural message. All Rights Reserved, 9 Lansdowne Street, Suite 2Boston, MA 02215. The belief in the many Gods provided a feeling of security. The question, "What did the Greeks contribute to modern society", was posed, and I will begin to answer. There are very few people who speak Latin fluently, and there is nowhere on the planet where Latin is the official or even a second language of communication. And so, it is the responsibility of the observer to examine pieces of art and architectural structures taking into account the context in which they were produced. We have many similarities with ancient Greece today. Due to trade with the Egyptians some of their ideas spread to many other countries and even today the Egyptian ties can still be felt, thus making their mythology and how it impacted the social aspects of their lives historically significant. These three different styles are still been used today in various mode like the Greeks. When it came to religion, the Greek Americans were also discriminated against. Latest answer posted June 12, 2020 at 3:53:19 AM. How did Greek drama and religion influence each other? The word democracy is derived from the Greek words for people and power. From my earliest memories I can recall my family was a lot larger than other peoples. If it wasnt such an excellent source of connections and character building then why would thousands of people throughout the United States and my own university (Arizona State University) waste their time and money?, Despite being in a different country, her family holds tightly to the cultural norms from Greece and are adamant about not immersing themselves in cultures that are not Greek. The Greek language today has been much simplified but still retains the most critical characteristics of its earlier forebearer. Here are five things that especially stood out to meduring my travels: Yes you read correctly. The strongest point of comparison between the Ancient Greek and modern United States government can be seen in their traditions of democracy. The New Testament was written in Koine Greek, which was an iteration of the language that flourished between Ancient Greek and Modern Greek. The differences between the Greek culture and American cultures. At the time the United States was founded, and for a long time thereafter, Greece was considered the cradle of Western civilization and democracy. Without Greek legacies such as these ones, modern society just would not be the way it is today and that is why Greek legacies still hold relevance in modern society. (Background). Something used every day, all over the world, not just in western civilization, is the alphabet. Women in Greek society are of particular importance, having access to good education, unlike other societies where the woman is not respected and has no right to education.. While the Greeks and Persians had a different way of governing and religious outlook, both gained cultural achievements from profits of their empires., 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. Ancient civilizations did not have mass manufacturing as modern day America. Greek culture appeared in the world earlier than Roman one. Ancient Greek democracy still plays a huge part in society with major countries such as the USA following its ways. They had plays, music, and texts to pass their free time, all of which most Americans typically experience in a day. The Greek culture affects our everyday way of life. The U.S. holds a very individualistic culture, and Greece is definitely does not. The 2nd Ancient Greek period, the Athenian Empire, was from around 480B.C - 359B.C. It's funny because I actually almost wrote about Italian Americans. The idea of a representative democracy was where the idea of what is currently the U.S. Congress started. This is a common aspect of Greek communication. Most Greek Gods have human personality and appearances. Greeks work hard at everything they do while Americans focus on what is most important. That doesn't make English a dead language. Also, any adult citizen can serve a public office if elected. The movie illustrated culture clash between both cultures differences. I saw that you replied to my post about Greek Americans. Yet, students do not understand that Greek life has it toxic con on students professional career, who choose to go down that path. (Background). However, over the past couple of millennia, and particularly in the last century, many new artistic styles have been developed. On the other hand, most American politicians with mindfulness and knowledge have realized that the U.S. is not a Democracy as a country, regardless of the way that most people declare it to be a Democracy. The frieze of the, While this shyness tends to be somewhat sexist in nature, insofar that men are able to show much more skin than women, no one today, regardless of biological sex, would show up to their local fitness centre completely nude to exercise. Each of these elements can be seen in various ways throughout American society. Knowing how Greece ran their government in ancient times leads us to where the basis of the current U.S. democracy comes from. The Greeks believed in cremating the dead, while the Callatians ate their dead as a sign of respect. They knew their society wasnt perfect and didnt want it be seen that way. The author presents a few cultural differences between the two cultures including family dynamics, spirituality, and more. However one can contrast these two societies by observing and valuing the art of ancient Greece. Much of western civilization developed from ancient Graeco-Roman traditions. Also, the successes of these two civilizations lead to many countries modeling most of their public facilities and systems after the ones found in Greece and Rome. 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. Therefore, contemporary art tends to be more diverse. b. is rambling and disorderly. Greece was made up of independent city-states who had different types of government. Three of the most important contribution that are the foundations of our society are Language, Philosophy, and Government. Contemporary American artists still employ ancient Greek styles at times. Another variety of Greek was written in Crete, using something called the Cypriot syllabary. In some sense, this is true. Today, Greeks celebrate death during their Day of the Dead festival called Panoiada on November 2nd each year by visiting cemeteries where they offer gifts to family members who have passed away. M.A. 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. 4. While these cultures are similar in some ways, there are also several distinct differences. Political and educational systems in Greece are also similar to Western Societies. They made long lasting contributions in the areas of art, architecture, philosophy, math, drama, and science. In what ways did Athenian culture and philosophy reflect political and social ideals? Ancient Greek only had capital letters, but Modern Greek had both capital and small letters. One doesn't have to spend much time in Washington, DC to see the profound influence of Greek art and architecture on the design of its major public buildings, which look like they were transported here from Ancient Greece. Their advancements were utilized in many later cultures. By adding your email you agree to get updates about Spoon University Healthier. Start your 48-hour free trial to get access to more than 30,000 additional guides and more than 350,000 Homework Help questions answered by our experts. The Greeks had similarities and differences compared to traditional Americans and our culture. There are several differences between Greek and American eating customs. Speaking of Nike, the Olympic games were held in celebration of her, and was often seen as the main event. The ideas of democracy, wisdom, religion is reflected in the Greek artwork, also represent the ancient peoples intelligence and creativity. Its many legacies still influence culture in modern society. However, some common elements could be said to make up American culture. It is a strong organization formed for bigger reasons then most are aware of. Ancient Greece is often referred to as the birthplace of Western democracy. The average American consumes around 32 gallons of water per day.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'questionscity_com-large-mobile-banner-2','ezslot_11',118,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-questionscity_com-large-mobile-banner-2-0'); 3. Due to its geographical position, Greece has been occupied by many countries who wanted to subdue it and exploit it. Architects and designers were eager to draw parallels to the ancient forebearers of democracy. Bibliography entry: "A Comparison of Ancient Greek Culture and Modern American Culture." Since the earliest days of recorded history, Greece has been at the vanguard of all development. Greek culture is family-oriented, and Americans are more individualistic. This opened the door for many Greeks who had family already living in the United States, to come join them. Originally the way the language was written was that lines were written horizontally, running from left to right, and then the next line would begin on the right and run back to the left. 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. Cities and towns existed, with city-states serving almost like todays capitals of each state. The Greeks believed in a system of gods and goddesses who lived atop Mount Olympus and whose whims guided everything from the weather, the seasons and the harvest to the squabbles and romantic liaisons of the citizens of the world. Another similarity to ancient Greece is the notion of public art as a form of civic pride. 2023 eNotes.com, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Culture is important in defining what a society is as well as. Just see the picture below of the ancient Egyptian alphabets (which predates the Greek alphabets) depicted in hieroglyphics, demotic and hieratic styles, and see the similarities: Greek societies influenced Western Societies in theater, literature, and politically in both positive and negative ways. The rise of the American system of government took a great deal of inspiration from what was achieved in Athens and other cities of the time. Our summaries and analyses are written by experts, and your questions are answered by real teachers. The First Period of Ancient Greece was the Archaic Age, from about 750B.C-480B.C. They also wanted to distance themselves from the old styles of Europe that had become associated with aristocratic excess. As for the religion of this country, although the Ottoman Empire administered this territory for a long time, most of the population belongs to the Orthodox religion, and a small percentage to the Muslim religion. I go deeper into the concept of culture as I explore various aspects of Greek culture and how they differ from American culture. This political system started in Athens, where it started as a Monarch, then grew to an oligarchy, until it finally reached a democracy. They created things WELL that were way before their time. Both Greece and Rome are Mediterranean countries, similar enough latitudinally for both to grow wine and olives. This is something that has always been important to me and that I feel a lot of people take for granted. They serve a good purpose for these young adults futures. In 2013, just over 3 million people were living in the United States who had been born in a different country. 4. What were the major differences between Athens and Sparta. Latest answer posted December 25, 2019 at 2:08:07 PM. 6. There houses inside are partially the same way our houses would be like in the inside but, on the outside the houses arent much. Through math, science, society, and culture prove much of this point., There are many greek influences on our culture today. Greece and Rome, two ancient societies, both influenced many aspects of modern life. A military existed to protect their society, like America has. Copyright document.write(new Date().getFullYear()) Her Campus Media LLC. 2. The ancient Greek language, the way it was spoken and written in its earliest years, is no longer the form of Greek that thrives today. Even some objects, for example: bow and arrows, swords, spears, and others, are the same objects other cultures have, yet they may look slightly different from the objects in other cultures. Cupid, derived from the Greek god Eros, is still invoked in Valentine's Day. Greeks value their time with others and Americans value their time alone. This family type is typical in America and have the just parents and their children. For example, language was a significant cultural similarity between the different Greek states. 7. In America, it's expected that water and bread are brought out for free. The Olympic Games is the biggest sporting event and it is every athletes dream to participate in them. The members of the culture are skilled in reading non-verbal cues. Though the Greek democracy was not as polished and fair, it was still influencial to modern cultures. The Greeks had similarities and differences compared to traditional American's and our culture. Because so many root words in English are Greek, they are imbued with a similar sentiment. 8. The Greeks needed to have a reason to explain their beliefs, they truly believed everything was controlled by a greater power. Beyond words, the influence of the Greek language has had a cultural impact on English and the rest of the western world. eNotes.com will help you with any book or any question. So given that Latin and Ancient Greek flourished at the same time, is Ancient Greek a dead language, too? They associated each of their gods with a different aspect of life or nature. Major works of literature, art, and political structure from ancient Greece remain relevant to modern Western society. Greek life makes students feel like they have a foundation to stand on when it is time to network with the professional world. In the movie apparently the Greek family only have close relationship with their own people, Greeks people, and they see non-Greek people like outsiders or only for business purposes.