Ancient Greece Influences on the Modern World
Written by Haden Delaney:
The Greeks founded the first democracy in the world, after abandoning previous oligarchic and monarchic ways of government. It consisted of over 6,000 adult male citizens, each of which participated in the writing and passing of laws. In order to pass a law, you simply needed consent of the majority. However, if you wished to banish someone, you needed consent from all 6,000+ citizens.
In addition to having the first democracy, the Greeks also were the first to use an alphabet (the world actually being composed of the Greek letters "alpha" and "beta"). Many of the original letters are, in fact, present in our own English alphabet.
Libraries were also invented by the Greeks. The first one (The Library of Alexandria) was actually opened in Egypt, ironically enough. Though, at the time, Egypt was pretty much all Greeks, so it counts. The Olympic Games, as well, were founded in Ancient Greece, and are still held to this day in the form of Summer and Winter Olympics.
Various architectural designs have also been borrowed from the Ancient Greeks, as inspiration for our own construction. In addition, the first lighthouse was built by the Ancient Greeks, and like the first library, it was located in Egypt. Many facets of their mythology, mathematics, science, and philosophy also have carried over into the modern day world.
As evidenced by all the above, Ancient Greece has had, and still has, a strong influence on modern times that surely won't fade for quite a while.
Source: http://anonemuss.hubpages.com/hub/Greek-Influences-today
The Greeks founded the first democracy in the world, after abandoning previous oligarchic and monarchic ways of government. It consisted of over 6,000 adult male citizens, each of which participated in the writing and passing of laws. In order to pass a law, you simply needed consent of the majority. However, if you wished to banish someone, you needed consent from all 6,000+ citizens.
In addition to having the first democracy, the Greeks also were the first to use an alphabet (the world actually being composed of the Greek letters "alpha" and "beta"). Many of the original letters are, in fact, present in our own English alphabet.
Libraries were also invented by the Greeks. The first one (The Library of Alexandria) was actually opened in Egypt, ironically enough. Though, at the time, Egypt was pretty much all Greeks, so it counts. The Olympic Games, as well, were founded in Ancient Greece, and are still held to this day in the form of Summer and Winter Olympics.
Various architectural designs have also been borrowed from the Ancient Greeks, as inspiration for our own construction. In addition, the first lighthouse was built by the Ancient Greeks, and like the first library, it was located in Egypt. Many facets of their mythology, mathematics, science, and philosophy also have carried over into the modern day world.
As evidenced by all the above, Ancient Greece has had, and still has, a strong influence on modern times that surely won't fade for quite a while.
Source: http://anonemuss.hubpages.com/hub/Greek-Influences-today