Greek Influence on Other Civilizations
The ancient Greek civilization has contributed shaping the modern world in many ways. And they have influenced great civilizations like Roman, Islamic, Indian and most importantly Western Civilization. In this article I’ll be discussing about, how Greek civilization had impact on these.
Greek’s influence on the Romans:
Romans assimilated many things from ancient Greece. Their art, architecture, science, religion and government ruling system was very much influenced by the Greeks.
Art and Architecture:
Many of Greek artistic techniques were adopted by the Romans. Especially, about building sculptures. When the Roman’s conquered Greece they shifted many of Greek sculptures to Rome. And later Roman artists developed their type of style.
Greek ideas and knowledge of architecture were also used in building Roman structures. And later they expanded their knowledge by themselves. They also used styles like Columns, Doric, Corinthian etc. But they used different components and technology like concrete. (Beers World history: patterns of civilization 1993 129)
Science and technology:
Roman’s contribution to science and technology is admired. But they adopted much knowledge from Greeks. Mainly those which were important to them. Gay Luhn who was a Greek physician, wrote a medical a famous medical encyclopedia. Ptolemy’s idea of astronomy inspired people for many many years. His theory was earth is at the center of the universe and the other planets and stars orbits around it. And his theories remain approved for many years (until the 1500s). (Beers World history: patterns of civilization 1993 130)
Religion and Mythology:
Romans assimilated most of their gods from Greek civilization. And changed their name to Latin. But there was a noticeable difference. Unlike Greek gods, Roman gods didn’t have a physical appearance.
Government and Law:
The influence of Greece on Roman Law is still questioned. According to some scholars, a delegation was sent to Athens and other Greek cities by the Romans. Which resulted in the “Twelve Tables” which is called the foundation of Roman Law. On the other hand, some scholars deny this incident of sending a delegation to Greece. (“Roman law” 2020)
Literature:
Many educated Romans used to speak Greek. Thus, it became the second language. Roman writers and poets assimilated Greek literary forms. They also translated some Greek literature to Latin. Romans developed their works later.
Education:
In the Roman period, Romans used to attend the Greek schools for highest education. When Roman conquered Greece they took the slaves. But later noble people took some them to teach their children. Consequently, Greece had a strong educational and cultural influence on Rome.
Military:
The Roman military got support from the Greek military. In their battle against the Parthian military, they got support from Spartan. It is also said that the Roman military used to train them in the Spartan way. (“How Did Greek Culture Influence the Development of Roman Civilization?” 2019)
Greek influence on India:
India adopted the artistic style, astronomy knowledge from the Greeks in the period of Indo Bactria Kingdom.
Art:
India is noticeably influenced by Greek artistic techniques. The artistic representation of Greco-Buddhism is called Greco-Buddhist art. The origin of This art is found in Afghanistan in the Hellenistic Greco-Bactrian Kingdom. Which later spread to India as Greece conquered this subcontinent. The art of the Gupta empire and Mathura was manipulated by this. Not only sculpture but also India adopted Greek architectural forms. (“Greco-Buddhist art” 2020)
Astronomy:
Greeks contributed to Indian astronomy too. Two Sanskrit texts Garga Samhita states, “The Yavanas (Greeks) are barbarians, yet the science of astronomy originated with them and for this, they must be honored”. During the ancient Greek and India empire of Bactria, the Hindu Zodiac assimilated from Greek Zodiac. (“Ancient Greece–Ancient India relations” 2020)
Greek influence on Western Civilization:
Greeks influence on Western Civilization is noticeable. Among all civilization which had an impact on Western Civilization probably Greek had the most. Covered various aspects of politics, science, art, architecture even sport.
Politics & Law:
Greece introduced human with democracy for the first time. Which is today the most popular political system in Western Civilization. The modern justice system also originated in Athens, Greece. Besides, Athenian first separated property and criminal crimes.
Art & Architecture:
Greek art and architecture’s influence can be seen in Western Civilization. The artistic style of drawing human form later influenced this civilization. Particularly in the Renaissance and Neo-classical period. During this period many buildings in cities like Washington D.C were constructed in the Greek style, including Capitol building.
Philosophy & Science:
Greek scientists and mathematicians had tremendously contributed to science and mathematics. Which knowledge later adopted by Westerns. Besides, Greek had some world-famous philosophers, like Aristotle, Socrates, Plato. Whose thoughts yet influences the Westerns.
Literature:
Greek literature had influenced Western literature as well. They had great writers, poets Homer, Sappho, Hesiod, Sappho and many more. Whose writing inspired many Western writings.
Sports:
Greeks greatest sports event Olympic, as well as some other sports event, still contributes to the Western sports world. (“What Did the Greeks Contribute to Western Civilization?”)
Greek influence on Islamic Civilization:
The Islamic civilization was founded based on heritages of many other civilizations including Greek cultures.
The House of Wisdom the public academy and intellectual center located in Baghdad, which was also a very large library. And it used to belong to the Abbasid Caliphs in the Islamic Golden Age. Caliph Al-Mamun re-founded the “House of Wisdom” as an international center for translation and research. Many Greek useful texts were translated into Arabic during this time.
By 950, every Greek scholarly text was translated. Many translators in Bagdad were particularly a fan of Aristotle.
Among those translators most renowned was Hunayn Ibn Ishaq al-‘Ibadi. He wrote many medical tracts. He was also a Physician. He translated nearly all Greek medical books. As well as many Aristotelian texts and commentaries, mathematical treatises. (“House of Wisdom” 2020)
Guided by Greek texts and books Muslims made significant advancement in medical, science and mathematics.
References:
“Greek contribution to the Islamic world.” Wikipedia, 17 April 2020, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_contributions_to_the_Islamic_world
“House of Wisdom.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 19 Apr. 2020,
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/House_of_Wisdom
“Roman Law.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 21 Apr. 2020, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_law
“How Did the Ancient Greeks Influence the Romans?” Reference, Ask Media Group, https://www.reference.com/history/did-ancient-greeks-influence-romans-45c75d7d6d7e59fb
“How Did Greek Culture Influence the Development of Roman Civilization?” Diaspora Travel Greece, https://diasporatravelgreece.com/how-did-greek-culture-influence-the-development-of-roman-civilization//.
“Greco-Buddhist Art.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 30 Jan. 2020, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greco-Buddhist_art.
“Ancient Greece-Ancient India relation.” Wikipedia, 17 April 2020, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ancient_Greece%E2%80%93Ancient_India_relations&action=history
“What Did the Greeks Contribute to Western Civilization?” Reference, IAC Publishing, www.reference.com/geography/did-greeks-contribute-western-civilization-5c5d6ff3a8a376f8.
Santos, Antonio. “Antonio Santos.” OLEAD 410 Leadership in a Global Context, 9 Apr. 2017, https://sites.psu.edu/global/2017/04/09/greek-influence-on-western-civilization/
Beers, Burton F. World History: Patterns of Civilization. Prentice Hall, 1993.
