Greeks And Judeo Christians example essay topic

Three ancient civilizations contributed most to Western society. These ancient cultures were the Romans, Greeks, and Judeo-Christians. Although all three had a major impact on our life today in areas such Philosophy, Art, Architecture, Education, Military, Family Life, Government, and many more, it is evident that the Roman civilization has impacted Western Society beyond the other two. But to come to this conclusion you must first look at all aspects of life of all three cultures.

The Judeo-Christians were highly religious people. In fact, almost all of their contributions to today are moral principals or religious. Although Jews lived in Judea, which was a Roman province since 6 AD, the Jews continued to be monotheistic. The Romans respected this, however, and did not make them worship the Roman Gods. Around 1 AD, a boy names Jesus was born in the town of Bethlehem. After about thirty years Jesus began to preach about the Jewish God.

People called Jesus the "Messiah" and the "King of the Jews" Roman leaders were worried that he would cause a revolt against the Romans. Jesus was considered an enemy. He was tried before Pontius Pilate and was crucified. After Jesus died on a cross, he was resurrected and remained on earth for forty more days to preach.

After those forty days, Jesus was ascended into Heaven. The resurrection of Jesus became a main aspect of Christianity. For hundreds of years the Christian religion was put down and not excepted, but during Emperor Constantine's reign Christianity became widely excepted because the Constantine was given a message from the Christian God. Many morals and values of the Christians have been passed down and still are followed today. God gave the Ten commandments to Moses for all people to follow.

In these ten, three are laws in today's society: You shall not kill, You shall not steal, and also you shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. It is illegal to kill and steal. Also, lying in a court of law is perjury. Christianity is the most common religion in western society. Although there are many different denominations of Christians today, including Roman Catholic, Presbyterian, Assembly of God, Lutheran, Methodist and many more, they all are based on the fact that Jesus died for their sins and they are forgiven. Another ancient society to have a major impact on western life were the Ancient Greeks.

The Greeks gave unique art, literature, philosophy, schooling, and a passion for sports that are widely copied and still in use today. There were three very important Greek teachers whose ideas had a major impact on the West. Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle all have a legacy and taught new ideas that were a breakthrough for that time period. The ancient Greeks were the first people to believe in individual dignity and achievement.

Citizens were free men, able to live their lives to the fullest. However, the Greeks denied rights to women. The Greeks were known as Athenians for the city of Athens. The Athenians based their morals on man. They loved the way the man's mind could reason, beautify, and could take advantage of physical skill and grace. Their architecture, sculptures, paintings, and literature all were masterpieces of man.

Greek religion explains the Athenian view of man. The Greeks worshiped gods, who resembled humans, the only difference was that they were more beautiful, skillful, and more intelligent. Some of these gods were Aphrodite, Hermes, and Athena. They only could hope to be as beautiful, intelligent, and skillful as their beloved gods were. All the gods had great powers over man and nature. The military history of Greece also explains its high regard for man.

The Greeks fought with foot soldiers, not cavalry like earlier civilizations. Farmers contributed along with the aristocrat's swords, spears, and shields for the foot soldiers to use. Due to an increase of voluntary help from the citizens, Greek cities granted them a higher voice in government. This allowed ordinary citizens to take advantage of a greater status in the social system. Just like all past successful civilizations, you rise and fall. The Greeks were no different in that aspect.

Sparta in the Peloponnesian War in 404 B. C defeated them. Greece was soon to be conquered once again by Philip of Macedonia. One man was able to dampen the blow. His name was Alexander the Great. Alexander took over the throne of Macedonia nine years later.

Alexander ruled Greece and much of the world for many years after. The culture that Alexander created set up a stepping stone for the Roman culture. The Romans respectively acquired some Greek culture. Do not get the wrong idea though because the Romans produced the most significant amount.

They produced marvelous art and literature. Romans were brilliant engineers and builders. People will argue Rome's major contribution to western society grew from its tradition of law. Many Romans were farmers. Therefore, they had to understand the laws of nature.

As soldiers, they had to create laws to regulate the power of some men over others. Religion also stressed laws and obedience to authority. When Rome became a city, they created civic gods. These gods were spirits believed to be in the homes of Romans. All the gods possessed the power to help man only if he served them. More than any other ancient power, Rome was a qualified empire of many peoples and cultures.

Roman law respected the differences among people. The idea of Roman life, excited many other cultures. This showed that Roman society was so smart that they were confident and arrogant it would spread throughout the world. The history of the Roman Empire influenced Western civilization in many ways. Roman law became the basis of the legal codes of most European areas. Rome preserved Greek culture, the foundation of Western learning and even Christianity.

All of these were spread to other lands. The world should be very fortunate of the Roman Empire. It has exploited so many great things throughout its dynasty.