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Describe at least three difference between the Greek and the Roman culture,
- Thread starter Babygirl
- Start date
Architecture
Greeks were theorists and thinkers. Their architecture was very artistic, grand in scale, designed to awe the person. The Parthenon is a prime example; being an austere temple to the gods, lined with artwork, standing upon the acropolis overlooking the city.
Romans were engineers and realists. They felt that architecture should be as utilitarian as much as it should be artistic, to the point where their architecture's utility took on a magnificence all its own. The Aqueducts were a perfect example; their mathematical purity and engineering mastery makes them one of the great works of the ancient world as it funneled enough water to feed 3 million people, provide water to the baths, and still have enough left over for the numerous fountains scattered throughout the city. And Roman roads still crisscross Europe without a single weed poking through, sometimes stretching for miles in a mathematically perfectly straight line.
Music
Greeks - Greek music was very sombre, designed to remind Greeks of the might of the gods and the glory of the city-state. Most surviving Greek music is shrill to the point of being jarring to our ears. The Spartans were known to incorporate music into their dance rituals, and several sources cite the magnificence and uncanny acrobatics of the Spartan women
Romans - Interestingly enough, their music ranges from slapstick to "dance in the bar" to dramatic. Romans loved slapstick comedy and frilly music would often be a part of that. However, Romans also had a taste for the dramatic, and it was said during gladiatorial battles that music consisting of flutes and drums would accompany duels, with the musicians matching the tempo of the music to the pace of the battle
Government
Greeks - direct democracy. Legislation was decided by popular vote. Greeks took politics incredibly seriously, to the point where politics became small talk among cosmopolitan Greeks (where as today you might make small talk by discussing the weather or sports, Greeks would be all to eager to discuss politics with complete strangers). In fact, the word "Idiot" comes from ancient Greece, being a word for people who have no interest in politics (usually farmers or artisan laborers). This would occasionally come back to bite them, as it meant for very whimsical legislature, with laws changing virtually with the whims of the mob. Furthermore, skilled orators could hold almost dictatorial power, able to persuade the masses to pass his programs with ease. Comedians also held a considerable amount of political power, as their ability to praise or ridicule articles of legislation could turn the public's opinion easily
Romans - Separation of power. The senate was made up of elected officials who acted as arbiters for their constituents. A Tribune of the Plebs (the lower class) held the power of veto. Consuls acted as speakers of the house. In times of war, a senator would be elected executive authority, and in times of emergency, dictators could be established to oversee the defense of Rome. Restraint was an admired aspect of Roman politicians, such as Lucius Sulla resigning from office, despite being appointed dictator-for-life (a position Caesar would later hold). Cinncinatus was a cherished Roman hero, who was appointed dictator, smashed the threatening Gauls, and then resigned after a few months in order to tend to his farm. Part of the genius of Augustus was how he managed to grab and hold supreme executive authority despite a suspicious population (which over time, became gradually more and more accepting of tyranny).
Greeks were theorists and thinkers. Their architecture was very artistic, grand in scale, designed to awe the person. The Parthenon is a prime example; being an austere temple to the gods, lined with artwork, standing upon the acropolis overlooking the city.
Romans were engineers and realists. They felt that architecture should be as utilitarian as much as it should be artistic, to the point where their architecture's utility took on a magnificence all its own. The Aqueducts were a perfect example; their mathematical purity and engineering mastery makes them one of the great works of the ancient world as it funneled enough water to feed 3 million people, provide water to the baths, and still have enough left over for the numerous fountains scattered throughout the city. And Roman roads still crisscross Europe without a single weed poking through, sometimes stretching for miles in a mathematically perfectly straight line.
Music
Greeks - Greek music was very sombre, designed to remind Greeks of the might of the gods and the glory of the city-state. Most surviving Greek music is shrill to the point of being jarring to our ears. The Spartans were known to incorporate music into their dance rituals, and several sources cite the magnificence and uncanny acrobatics of the Spartan women
Romans - Interestingly enough, their music ranges from slapstick to "dance in the bar" to dramatic. Romans loved slapstick comedy and frilly music would often be a part of that. However, Romans also had a taste for the dramatic, and it was said during gladiatorial battles that music consisting of flutes and drums would accompany duels, with the musicians matching the tempo of the music to the pace of the battle
Government
Greeks - direct democracy. Legislation was decided by popular vote. Greeks took politics incredibly seriously, to the point where politics became small talk among cosmopolitan Greeks (where as today you might make small talk by discussing the weather or sports, Greeks would be all to eager to discuss politics with complete strangers). In fact, the word "Idiot" comes from ancient Greece, being a word for people who have no interest in politics (usually farmers or artisan laborers). This would occasionally come back to bite them, as it meant for very whimsical legislature, with laws changing virtually with the whims of the mob. Furthermore, skilled orators could hold almost dictatorial power, able to persuade the masses to pass his programs with ease. Comedians also held a considerable amount of political power, as their ability to praise or ridicule articles of legislation could turn the public's opinion easily
Romans - Separation of power. The senate was made up of elected officials who acted as arbiters for their constituents. A Tribune of the Plebs (the lower class) held the power of veto. Consuls acted as speakers of the house. In times of war, a senator would be elected executive authority, and in times of emergency, dictators could be established to oversee the defense of Rome. Restraint was an admired aspect of Roman politicians, such as Lucius Sulla resigning from office, despite being appointed dictator-for-life (a position Caesar would later hold). Cinncinatus was a cherished Roman hero, who was appointed dictator, smashed the threatening Gauls, and then resigned after a few months in order to tend to his farm. Part of the genius of Augustus was how he managed to grab and hold supreme executive authority despite a suspicious population (which over time, became gradually more and more accepting of tyranny).
Coqui Rabioso
New member
1. The Romans had a centralized government. Greeks were city states and always warring between each other.
2. The Romans would absorb the cultures they conquered, eliminating what did not work and incorporating what did.
3. The roman started with polytheism as the Greeks were but eventually acknowledge the advantages of only one God. Many people believe that it was because they found the truth. The truth is that it was a lot less expensive to build a church for one god than multiple temples for different deities. Purely an economical decision.
2. The Romans would absorb the cultures they conquered, eliminating what did not work and incorporating what did.
3. The roman started with polytheism as the Greeks were but eventually acknowledge the advantages of only one God. Many people believe that it was because they found the truth. The truth is that it was a lot less expensive to build a church for one god than multiple temples for different deities. Purely an economical decision.