Write a 6 page essay comparing the greek and the romans
Introduction
The ancient Greeks and Romans are two well-known civilizations that have played a significant role in shaping Western culture. Their respective contributions to literature, philosophy, science, art, and politics have heavily influenced later civilizations. While both civilizations share some similarities in their cultures, they also differ significantly. This essay aims to compare and contrast the Greek and Roman civilizations.
Religion
Religion played a crucial role in both Greek and Roman cultures, but their beliefs and practices differed significantly. The Greeks had a polytheistic religion, with various gods and goddesses representing different aspects of nature, life, and death. They believed that their gods were not all-powerful but subject to human emotions and desires.
The Romans, on the other hand, had a more practical approach to religion. They worshiped gods for their practical benefits, such as good harvests, victory in war, and protection of the household. The Roman gods were similar to the Greek gods, but they had different names and were more organized.
While both civilizations believed in afterlife, the Greeks believed in the concept of the soul, which could be immortal or destroyed depending on how one leads their life. The Romans believed in the concept of the afterlife but had no clear view on various beliefs.
Arts
Art played a crucial role in both Greek and Roman cultures. However, they had different styles and approaches to art.
The Greeks were known for their classical sculptures that were based on the ideal human form. Their sculptures were realistic, with an emphasis on proportion, balance, and harmony. The Greeks used art to celebrate beauty, symmetry, and realism in human forms. Greek artists were also skilled at making pottery, textiles, and jewelry.
The Romans, on the other hand, were known for their realistic portraits of individuals and historical events. They were also skilled at creating public art such as statues of emperors, houses of worship and buildings. Roman artists were more concerned with portraying the realities of life and the development of monumental architecture.
Philosophy
Philosophy was a significant contribution of both Greek and Roman cultures. However, their approaches to philosophy were different.
The Greeks were known for their emphasis on reason and the development of logical thinking. Greek philosophers such as Plato, Aristotle, and Socrates delved into the human condition and explored theories on reason, knowledge, and ethics.
The Romans, on the other hand, were more practical and focused on moral philosophy. They believed in the development of character and virtuous behavior. Roman philosophers such as Seneca, Epictetus, and Cicero explored ideas on wisdom, virtue, and morality.
Politics
Politics played a significant role in both Greek and Roman civilizations. However, their systems of governance differed significantly.
The Greeks were known for their democratic governance system where all citizens had an equal say in decision-making. The first democracy was established in Athens while aristocracies ran the other city-state territories. Greek democracy is considered to the earliest form of democracy, and was based on citizen participation, including citizens coming together to make decisions via the assembly.
The Romans, on the other hand, had a republican governance system. Citizens elected representatives who made decisions on their behalf. The Roman Republic had a system of checks and balances in place to prevent any one person or group from taking too much power.
Empire building
Empire building was a crucial aspect of both Greek and Roman civilizations. Greece only made territorial conquests in their neighboring cultures, whereas Rome conquered vast territories throughout the world.
The Greeks never had a centralized government, and their society was divided into city-states or territories. These city-states were brought under the control of one ruler, Alexander the Great who then expanded the Empire's territorial impact.
The Romans, on the other hand, had already established her territorial presence in an even broader region by the time the Empire expanded. Rome's Empire growth was initiated by Julius Caesar, beginning with the conquest of Gaul, modern day France.
Conclusion
To summarize, this essay aimed to explore and compare the Greek and Roman cultures, focusing on key areas including religion, arts, philosophy, politics, and empire-building. While both civilizations share some similarities, they differ significantly in their styles and approaches. Regardless of these differences, the contributions of these two civilizations have played a significant role in shaping Western civilization.