The Influence of Ancient Greece on Modern Society

History always leaves its impact on the world.Previous societies have left behind cultures and traditions that we still follow today. One of the most prominent and influential civilizations is considered to be ancient Greece as a lot of western society today has been greatly shaped by them.Ancient Greece has left a large shadow on western civilization, from the invention of democracy to the development of art, literature,architecture and philosophy.

Democracy as we know it was conceptualized in ancient Athens, where citizens could vote to make decisions on law and policy making in the government. Many legal practices from ancient Greece are still carried over in today's courts. The statue of Lady Justice displayed in most courts are actually depictions of Themis, the Greek goddess of law and justice.

Almost all schools of western philosophy today can be traced back to ancient Greece. Ancient Greek philosophers such as Socrates, Plato and Aristotle have shaped the way we think about ethics, politics and metaphysics.The Socratic Method, which involves gaining knowledge through questions, is still widely used in the academic field by educators and for research.For centuries western scholars have based their philosophical views on these ancient Greek schools of thought, which has shaped modern society.

 A lot of modern storytelling conventions have been derived from ancient Greek literature. Homer’s epic poems, the Iliad and the Odyssey have been studied extensively by scholars. Additionally, many tropes prevalent in modern media these days can be traced back to the narrative structures present in Greek mythology. For instance, the narrative structure of the hero’s journey can be found as early as the Iliad. The impact of the plays written by ancient Greek playwrights such as Euripides on modern theater can also be seen very clearly.

Modern architecture is very heavily inspired by ancient Greek architecture, especially government buildings like the Pentagon. The Parthenon, which is a temple dedicated to Athena, the Greek goddess of wisdom, has had its iconic columns and triangular pediment be replicated in buildings all over the world. Ancient Greek art has also been a subject of inspiration for western artists all throughout history. Ancient Greek art and sculptures, which featured the human form in an idealist and realistic way, are seen as classics.  The Renaissance, which led to great advancements in western cultural development, was heavily inspired by the literary, scientific and philosophical beliefs of the Ancient Greeks. 

Thus, the legacy of ancient Greece has left an undeniable mark on society.The cultural significance of the ancient Greek civilization can’t be understated. Their influence on our legal system,philosophy,literature,architecture and the arts continues to inspire people even today and will probably continue to inspire people even in days to come.  

NAME : Naomi Hossain 

Student ID : 23115002

PHOTOS FROM : https://www.gettyimages.com/