The Importance of Greek and Roman Cultures

Introduction

Greek and Roman art and architecture belong to the two most influential cultures in the history of humanity. Although they do share some similarities, essentially they are fundamentally different. The most important aspect that differentiates their essence is the time frame in which they existed, however, they both had a fundamental influence on human civilization.

Discussion

One of the world’s most ancient cultures is Greek culture. It dates earlier than the Roman culture: its development began circa 7th century BCE, reaching its peak 2-3 centuries later (Pomeroy, 2020). Greek art and architecture’s defining features are harmony and balance. Some of the styles invented by the Greeks, such as Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian, became the most important architectural styles of the time. The art also reflected the values and ideology of the period: gods and heroes were the most reoccurring protagonists, as well as philosophers and athletes as some of the most respected members of society.

The Roman culture was, in some ways, influenced by the Greek culture due to the time frame in which it appeared. It started its evolution in the 4th – 5th century BCE, when the Greek culture was at its peak (Tuck, 2021). However, despite the clear influence of one culture on the other, the Romans introduced some unique features which were absent in Greece. Their architecture was more practical, even though the same materials were used. They also started using concrete, making the buildings more durable. In comparison to the Greek protagonists who were heroes and gods, Roman art depicted more realistic scenarios.

Both the Greek and Roman cultures have had a great impact on modern Western culture and world culture in general. The Greek philosophy has had an impact on the philosophical thinkers of different movements throughout the history. At the same time, the Romans influenced the legal systems of many countries. The engineering inventions of the Roman Empire became the basis of many engineering inventions in the following centuries. All in all, both cultures became foundational cultures for the future development of human civilization.

Conclusion

To conclude, Greek and Roman cultures are two essentially different cultures that overlapped in some ways due to the time period in which they existed. However, both cultures made a significant impact on many cultures and on the civilization in general. In today’s world, the legacy of these cultures is still prevalent.

References

Pomeroy, S. B., Burstein, S. M., Donlan, W., Roberts, J. T., Tandy, D. W., & Tsouvala, G. (2020). A brief history of ancient Greece: Politics, society, and culture. Oxford University Press.

Tuck, S. L. (2021). A history of Roman art. John Wiley & Sons.