Thoughts and reflections on Greek gifts

Katie Taylor, World History Period 6                                                             January 13, 2013

Thoughts and Reflections On: Greek Gifts

By Peter Green

When we take a look at the Ancient Greeks we realize that they were responsible for many things still prevalent in our culture today. Democracy, Dramas, the Olympics, Greek style architecture, sun dials, art, poetry were all gifts the Greeks contributed to the world, but when you really take a look at Greek culture it's obvious that although the Greeks may have had the original ideas and were the first to practice these things, they were not really responsible for why we have them today. The Greeks were xenophobic and seclusive.

They did not share there culture with anyone and looked down on any and all people who were not Greek. They even called anyone who did not speak Greek a "barbarian". Even with the minorities in there own society like Greek Jews were looked down on and segregated. In truth we would not have these "Greek gifts" today if it was not for the Romans who took the Greek ideas and fostered and developed them, eventually spreading them by means of conquests and trade throughout all of Europe. So although the Greeks are accredited for these great accomplishments in reality the Romans are responsible for these gifts lasting throughout the ages and being a part of out culture today.