Classical Greek Influence on Western Civilization Essay Sample

Classical Greece contributed to the lasting ideas in Western civilization. For example, Greeks contributed ideas of architecture, philosophy, government, and social hierarchy. All of these developments have led to a greater society for us. Classical Greece was from 2000 B.C to 300 B.C and it was located in Greece which is near Europe, Asia, and Africa. 

One of the ideas that contributed to Western civilization is architecture. In document 6, the picture shows that buildings in the Western civilizations are based on similar structures, , like the ones in Classical Greece. This shows that buildings from Classical Greece helped architects build modern buildings and that these buildings are very similar. Also, the most common type of building to be built was a temple, which is similar to building churches. Another lasting idea that was contributed by Greeks is philosophy. In document 1, the quote states “The unexamined life is not worth living”. This demonstrates that philosophers had opinions of how to live life and that people should be able to think for themselves and to live their life to the fullest. In document 2 it says that humans are a part of nature and are very important to the world. This shows that without humans, there is no society or world. Philosophers also believed that nature was put in a specific way and that it needed to stay like that. In modern day, the government also wants people to be free and to have rights. Humans are also` considered the dominant species and are very important.  This shows that the modern day government and society have similar beliefs as philosophers had. These three documents and outside information suggest that Western civilization follows Classical Greece as an example of what to do now and in the future. 

A third key idea that Western civilization shares with Classical Greece is government. In document 3 it says that Greece’s government is a democracy and that they want to favor people. This demonstrates the idea of letting people be able to vote and have a say in government. Also, even though only privileged men could vote, it is still better than no one being able to vote. Lastly, the idea of social hierarchy was introduced by the Greeks and now Western civilization uses it. In document 4 a picture of a chart shows that in society, we have mostly slaves and only a little bit of men able to vote. This shows that Classical Greece’s social class favored men able to vote and that it was the hardest to get to the level of being able to vote. In addition, only the citizens apart from the highest groups had rights to own property, own slaves, etc. In modern times, we don’t have slaves but we still have social groups. But, now you can move up or down based on your job and salary. Outside information and the two documents advocate that Western civilization thinks of Classical Greece as an example as to how a government should be run and how the population should be shown. Now, we have a democracy and allow everyone over 18 to vote. Also, we have social classes that are just there as an example for who should pay less for college, taxes, etc. They are not there for making fun of anyone or for a rich person to be able to buy someone else.

In conclusion, Classical Greece is a great example for Western civilization. They have influenced the ideas of architecture, philosophy, government, and social hierarchy. Western civilization has followed these ideas and has made them their own. These ideas are being used now and will be used in the future.