Thesis Statement
The Ancient Greeks can best be defined as a civilization based in Inequality, Nationalism, and Advancement because Greeks considered themselves noble everywhere, and men and woman saw themselves as higher than everyone else.
Inequality
In Greece, there was inequality between men, women, and slaves. To start, free men were the superior figures in Greek society. Women were prohibited to par take in the gossip of gadding women and buying and an abundance of gold because it was believed that, “beauty depends not on the costliness of raiment.” Basically saying that beauty is greater than just self-indulgence and what you look like; what you do and your personality is valued higher. The husband of a woman had
complete control over her and it was said by Aristotle that, “a women’s aim is to obey her husband.” Some of the responsibilities of a women included being the mistress of her home, allowing none to enter without her husband’s knowledge, and, “exercise control of the amount of money used for festivities as her husband approved.” Next, free women and men were both superior to slaves. In Greece, they believe that it is natural for slaves to exist because, some should rule and others be ruled, is necessary from birth.
complete control over her and it was said by Aristotle that, “a women’s aim is to obey her husband.” Some of the responsibilities of a women included being the mistress of her home, allowing none to enter without her husband’s knowledge, and, “exercise control of the amount of money used for festivities as her husband approved.” Next, free women and men were both superior to slaves. In Greece, they believe that it is natural for slaves to exist because, some should rule and others be ruled, is necessary from birth.
Nationalism
Nationalism can also define Ancient Greece, because all of the Greeks saw themselves noble
everywhere. Those who were not Greek and had different languages and customs, and were looked down upon by them and called “Barbaroi,” which is known today as “barbarian”. Although the Greeks thought of themselves as noble, being Greek came second to being part of their own city state. As illustrated in the sentences of a poem by Tyrtaeus describing a soldier who died in battle to protect his city, “With a sudden rush he turns to flight the rugged battalions of the enemy, and sustains the beating waves of assault. And he who so falls among the champions and loses his sweet life, so blessing with honor his city, his father, and all his people.” All Greeks had the same religion and spoke the same language. They were all polytheistic, meaning they all believed in many different gods and goddess. The Greeks favored their own language and thought that anyone who spoke other unfamiliar languages besides Greek was considered a barbarian. In another example, a Spartan mother buried her son and received condolences from people, however she replied, “No, by the heavens, but rather good luck, for I bore him so that he could die for Sparta, and this is precisely what has happened.” What the mother is saying is that she was proud of the ultimate sacrifice of her son’s life for her country. So in conclusion, nationalism defines ancient Greece because the Greeks were strongly devoted to their country and believed they were more noble than others.
everywhere. Those who were not Greek and had different languages and customs, and were looked down upon by them and called “Barbaroi,” which is known today as “barbarian”. Although the Greeks thought of themselves as noble, being Greek came second to being part of their own city state. As illustrated in the sentences of a poem by Tyrtaeus describing a soldier who died in battle to protect his city, “With a sudden rush he turns to flight the rugged battalions of the enemy, and sustains the beating waves of assault. And he who so falls among the champions and loses his sweet life, so blessing with honor his city, his father, and all his people.” All Greeks had the same religion and spoke the same language. They were all polytheistic, meaning they all believed in many different gods and goddess. The Greeks favored their own language and thought that anyone who spoke other unfamiliar languages besides Greek was considered a barbarian. In another example, a Spartan mother buried her son and received condolences from people, however she replied, “No, by the heavens, but rather good luck, for I bore him so that he could die for Sparta, and this is precisely what has happened.” What the mother is saying is that she was proud of the ultimate sacrifice of her son’s life for her country. So in conclusion, nationalism defines ancient Greece because the Greeks were strongly devoted to their country and believed they were more noble than others.
Advancement
The Ancient Greeks were becoming more and more advanced. Greece was advancing throughout their learning, medicine and looking ahead. In the Hellenistic age, philosophers and other people built upon early Greek, Babylonian and Egyptian knowledge. Law, freedom, justice and government influenced political thinking to the present day. “The citizen should be molded to suit the form of government under which he lives.” This quote basically means what it says, that a citizen of Greece should be made to like and obey the form of government under which he lives. In mathematics Pythagoras created a math formula to calculate the relationship between the sides of a right triangle. Euclid wrote the “Elements,” a book that became the basis of geometry. Many of these “Inventions” are very useful because they are very helpful to us today. For example, Eratosthenes showed that the world was round and accurately calculated its circumference. Also Aristarchus argued that the earth rotated on its axis and orbited around the sun. At about 400 B.C. Hippocrates, a Greek philosopher, studied the causes of illness and looked for cures. Physicians swore to “Help the sick according to their ability, but never with a view to injury and wrong.” This meant that the physician would you if they could. The Greeks had many advances.
Conclusion
Overall, the society of Ancient Greece was unequal and men were denegation superior figures in the Greek society. This contributed entirely to the degrading of females. The issues and restrictions ancient Greek women tolerated, maintained the weak view on females. In Ancient Greece the people thought of themselves as noble, and were strongly devoted to their country. Though as far as advancement goes, Greece had always been improving whether it was in education, medicine, or planning ahead for future circumstances.